The Yale expositor., 1916-11-09

ously.
II do not know. m'sieu." ChrIstophe
stammered. In a fash he saw that
things looked very black for himself.
why die you hide it?" Already
Streetman had found him guilty.
81 did noS hide II, m'sieu"
An inspiration seized Streetman
then. And he took the telephone into
his own hands.
"Who are your" he asked In French,
speaking directly into the transmitter
The fellow received an immediate
reply. And he said to his men In the
next breath 1T was a Frenchman who
spoke! That telephone leads to the
French. II is the work of spy" And
then Streetman ordered Otto's comrade
Hans to ask Major Won Brenig to re-
turn.
Poor Henri Christophe forgot all
about his simple menu. He stood there,
crestfallen. The whole affair was too
much for HIS belonged brain.
You were warned against any at
tempt to communicate with the en-
emy," Streetman said.
81 never saw that telephone before"
Christophe declared.
Don't lie to me! You put it therew
81 swear to you" The innkeeper
held both his hands aloft as he pro-
claimed his innocence. But his pro-
testations had no effect upon the In
dignant Streetman. The man seemed
absolutely relentless. inhuman.
You are either a French spy or har-
boring a spy under your roof" he told
Christophe. 1T IS an act of enmity TO
us. You must pay the penalty at once"
"On my honor have done nothing
absolutely nothingv' Henri Christophe
cried. Even in that moment his thoughts
were upon his daughter Jeanne rather
than upon himself. He was afraid
for her.
"Our proclamations have told you
what to expect" StreetmaD snarled
cit will be good warning to the 9TH
ers," he added grimly.
The Belgian innkeeper stared at him
as IL in trance.
Before God, am innocentr' he as
serted.
The callous Streetman paid not the
slightest heed to his denials. In most
brisk and businesslike manner he COM
manded the corporal to call in the
guard and make ready firing squad
against the wall outside" he said.
Then little Jeanne Chrlstophe opened
one of the doors timidly. Some errand
had necessitated her entering the room.
And when she saw her fathers ashen
face it needed little intuition to tell her
that there was some tragedy impend-
ing. With a low cry she sprang to her
fathers side.
my father-my father-what is it?"
she asked him.
"a Is a spy" Streetman said con-
temptuously.
mon, non, m'sieuw she cried.
"Wait! Come herew he or
dered her roughly And Henri Chris
topic whispered to her TO obey. You
have seen that telephone before"
Streetman inquired. Already the cor
poral had returned with four men,
bearing rifles.
mo. no! Never In all my lifew the
girl walled.
your father hid it there" he in
sisted
mon. non, m'sieuv' she said with all
the vehcmence she could muster.
Enough of talkingw Streetman said
with. cruel glance at her white face.
Take him outv' he ordered the cor
poral.
For one brief moment father and
daughter clasped each other in last
embrace.
att is the end, my little Jeanne!
Good-by! Pray for mev' Henri Chris
topic said brokenly. And In that in
slant a new dignity came to nina
dignity such as must have clothed the
ancient martyrs, or that later tragic
figure, for whom his own daughter was
named-Jeanne d'Arc-when the SUI
preme summons overlook them. 1T is
all over, ma petite" he repeated. And
then he drew himself up to his fullest
height and looked at his unyielding
Judge uDfllnchingly. II am innocent,
m'sieur' he said.
Those were the last words that Henri
Christophe spoke.
Henry Streetman made a gesture of
impotence. The scene bored him.
Jeanne Christophe burst into wild
| torrent of words. Alternately she adj
dressed Streetman and her father.
"No. no, nor she shrieked, as II she
could not have that frightful thing
that ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ''Oh, m'sieul
For the love OF God! My IA
Their pray you. No,
mol He is my father. love
thee. love theer' she sobbed-
''uh. m'sieu-I beg you