The Clio messenger., 1916-11-03

/. We do not wish to do these
things, but this Ia war, and we must
protect ourselves. :. You under
standw
Perfectly, sir" said Henri Chris
tophe.
1--WE shall take what supplies we
need" the major continued, "but any
officer or man who refuses to pay you
just price, you will report to me,
and he will be punished If you de-
mand an unjust price, you will be pun.
ished."
"Yes, msieu."
The subdued innkeeper had already
started to leave the room when the
officers keen eye caught sight of some.
thing that Immediately interested him
At his feet he noticed hasp and pad,
lock. And with characteristic German
thoroughness he at once desired to
solve the mystery.
"Wait! What's this?" he demanded
"Only the entrance to the wine eel
lar" Christophe told him.
"Open it!'
"Yes, m'sieu." Henri Christophe
stopped and unlocked the heavy pad
lock. "Voila, m'sieu!" he exclaimed
as he lifted the trapdoor.
"Goodw said the major as he
peered into the dark cavern. Later
on you will bring up some wine. II
will be excellent for tonight"
Christophe had started to close the
trap when the major halted him again
'Is there any outlet to the cellar
save this?' he asked thoughtfully.
"None, m'sieu."
Baum" said the major, make sure
he is telling the truth-that no one
could escape that way"
Lieutenant Baum saluted, and, de
taching a flashlight from his belt b.
descended the steps that led into the
cellar.
"Now you may go cook dinner" the
major told the innkeeper.
Once rid Of preliminaries, Major vor
Brenig addressed himself to Larry
Redmond, who all this time had been
silent onlooker to the proceedings
"Ah! You must be Captain KARL
he said.
"Yes. Herr Major" Larry answered
81 was told that you had only JUS,
rcported-yOur papers said on some
| special mission. Can be of assist
ance?"
II thank you, major; but at the mo
ment there Is nothing" Larry tolG
him.
perhaps you will dine with me|
Major von Brenig said. He was a hos
pitable man. And he understood tha.
Captain Karl was held in high esteem
by his superiors.
81 thank you, Herr Major. Auf vie
dersehen" Larry replied. And nc
walked to the door. He was not keen
to dine with the German officer, ant
perhaps have embarrassing questions.
fired at him. But he saw no decen'
way Of declining. And there was al
ways the chance that such minglins
with enemy officers might yield valu
able information. If he should bt
caught-well! that was all In the game
Lieutenant Baum, returning from
the wine cellar, announced that he ha6
discovered no opening other than the
one furnished by the trapdoor in the
floor.
"Goodv" the older officer said "Now
l shall go to my room and change my
boots. / have not had them off fol-
over a week."
"You have not questioned the French
lady or the American" the lieutenant
reminded him.
"I shall leave that to you and Ser
geant Schmidt" the major replied.
1t was only few minutes before
Lieutenant Baum had summoned Ethe
before him. He asked her name.
"I am Madame de Lorde," she tolt
him.
"a FrenchwomanT he inquired.
Eyes, m'sieu."
He regarded her narrowly.
"You are perhaps a woman spy
they say the French have many spies
I must search you," he announced. t.
her CONSERVATION.
"Oh. monsieur, may speak private
ly with your she begged him.
"Well, what Is it?'
"Only I wish to show you some
thing"
"What trick Is this" he asked witt
asperity.
But Ethel only smiled at his grufr
ness. Lieutenant Baum was a good
looking chap.
"Surely you are not afraid OF me
one little woman!" she said archly.
"And a very pretty womanw Hi,
hand sought his mustache again
"Well, what Is 1t, madameT
Ethel drew him slightly to one side
All but three Of the infantrymen bill
1eted upon Henri Christophe had with
drawn. But the remaining guard wal
all eyes and ears for this cross-examl
nation of possible spy.
|