The midland journal., 1916-11-03

just AtCle InOFe DSueucenCG Cudu IL
had over the rest of the world. For
Belgium, fortunately, there was no
dread of war. Secure in the conviction
that she had no enemies, her people
went about their affairs with the same
light-hearted content that they had
come to regard, through the years, as
their natural heritage.
"voila, messieurs!' the inns sole
waiter, Louis, exclaimed as he laid up
on the table the change that was due
the two guests. And Behold, gentle
menp he repeated in quite the grand
manner as he placed before them two
liquor glasses filed with an amber
ambrosia.
The players thanked him. And in
that moment one of them brought the
game to swift termination by the
execution of mastery move toward
which he had long been maneuvering.
The two peasants tossed off their
cordials then. They had already risen
from their chairs when the innkeeper
himself, one Henri Christophe, entered.
You're going already?" he ex-
claimed, reluctant to see good custom
ers leaving. "It is not late"
"My wife expects me-" one of them
replied with humorous grimace "You
understand"
''Mais oui! comprehend perfectly"
Christophe answered. He knew the
| fellows wife-a somewhat tempera-
mental woman, with a sharp tongue
And he had no wish to bring down an
avalanche Of ill-will upon his excellent
hostelry. So he bade his departing
guests good-by.
As they passed through the open
doorway, chattering, he turned to an.
other man who sat in corner of the
room reading newspaper. He was a
Frenchman-that other-and a stran-
ger to the innkeeper.
Something for monsieurY' Henri
Christophe inquired pleasantly.
"Not now! After little while, per
| haps," the stranger replied, and re-
turned to his reading Of his newspaper
He had just lighted cigarette and
had filled his lungs with the first salts
flying puff when newcomer strobe
through the doorway. This latest ar.
rival wore a cap and a long, linen
duster And there was something In
his aspect that did not wholly please
| the little man at the table, as he cast
| quick, sidewise glance at the tall In
truder. Perhaps 1t was the small, Teu.
ton mustache that adorned the upper
l n y, Aol S~.A "A
all events, the Frenchman's eyes mar.
rowed to two slits. And though he
seemed rapt In his paper he neverthe-
less watched every move that the other
made.
The tall man paused for a moment
at the cigar case that stood just inside
the outer door: and drawing pipe
from his pocket he filed and lighted it
Then he crossed the room and looked
down at its other occupant.
''Do you speak English?" he in
quired.
The man told him that he could.
'Can you tell me how far it is to
TourvfIle?' Larry Redmond asked
The tall man was no other than the
Irish captain.
'Ten milesr' the Frenchman replied
promptly.
"ExactlyT Larry questioned.
There was q slight yet still notice
able pause as the little man looked UP
at him searchingly.
"Exactlyg' he said with a peculiar
emphasis on the word.
"ExactlyT' Larry said once more
And when the wiry Frenchman spranR
up from his seat and looked signifl
cantly inte his eyes Captain Redmond
no longer doubted that they understood
each other. "You have the password"
he whispered.
"Exactly" the other repeated
finally.
''You have been waiting long, my
frtend?" Larry asked him.
'You were expected yesterday" his
confederate replied.
81 could not leave then. It is busy
back there inside their nnes," Captain
Redmond explained.
His fellow spy started at that. And
he looked at him with undisguised sur
prise.
You have been with the German
army?" he exclaimed, as if the feat
We're scarcely to be believed.
"No, not yet! But tonight / shall be
in the German army. l must join my
regiment at once" He pulled aside
his duster, revealing the fact that he
was already in the German uniform.
The long linen coat effectually con-
cealed his dress. for there was nothing
about his leather puttees to betray it.
IT shall be captain-Captain Karl"
Larry continued.
The Frenchman regarded him
soberly.
Here in that uniform, it is danger
ous work. Captain Redmond" he re-
minded him.