Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
Death Hovers Near Ethel.


Ever since she succeeded in In
weighing Lieutenant Baum into reveal
ing to her the secret of the fork in the
ro9d, Ethel had waited her opportunity
to telephone the news to the French
front 1t seemed to her that the Ger.
man intruders would never leave the
public room, even for five minutes.
Meanwhile she had lowered near And
at last she was convinced that the
coast was clear.
Cautiously she opened the door and
pecred inside. She saw no one. So she
stepped into the room. For just few
moments she hesitated. to assure her
self that there was a lul in the move
mentS Of the enemy. Apparently they
had withdrawn to spruce themselves
up after their long march.
She nerved herself to her task.
She stole to the fireplace, glanced
over her shoulder for one last hurried
survey Of the room, and reached her
hand out for the instrument. She had
barely taken 1t up when she heard the
command
"Ilaltw
Ethel turned. TO her startled eyes
the room seemed suddenly full of sol
diers.. And giving little cry, she
dropped the telephone upon the floor.
Lieutenant Baum confronted her
sternly.
You are a spy for the French he
sold.
NO, no. Let me explainw
He ignored her protest.
load" He snapped out the order
to his men. And as they obeyed Ethel
cried.
No, no, no! For Gods sake don't
shoot me like that Trembling. she
stood there, while they covered her
with their rifles.
Then another cry of Halt" rang
ont This time the command came
from the doorway, 1t was Larry Red
m0nd who interrupted the grim bust
ness.
Lieutenant Baum turned to him in
surprise. while the German soldiers
lowered their guns and saluted.
"What are you doing?" Larry de-
manded.
"A spy for the French" Baum ex-
planned somewhat peevishly
"A spy for the French, eh?" Larry
said as he drew nearer. "Fraulein--'
he began And then he stopped short.
He had not recognized Ethel at first,
for her back was toward the door.
But now they gazed at each other in
amazement. "a spy, eh?" Larry re-
peated What makes you think so?'
"She went to use that telephone. 1t
leads to the French" the lieutenant
/ said.
Excellent, excellent Larry told
him. "But--l shall investigate this
matter"
But Major Won Brenig--" Baum be
gan.
Larry brought him up sharply,
~ am your superior officer" he re-
minded the lieutenant And at that the
other saluted. "ln ten minutes Larry
continued, you will report to Major
Won Brcnig that you captured the spy
that she is here In my charge, and
vii, he be kind enough to come here
directly"
yes, Herr Captain
''In ten minutes. lieutenant.
II is for the fatherland."
"Ten minutes Baum replied And
once more he 'saluied.
At a sign from Baum the soldiers
Withdrew, with the lieutenant leading
the way
Larry waited till the last man was
out Of the room and the doors haf
closed behind them. Then he spranl
to Ethel's side.
Ethel. They caught you at thu
tclcphoneY he cried.
Yes" That was all she could say
as she faced him pitifully.
'Then they knew; and twas tral
set for youT"
"Oh, Larry, what will happen tt
meT
He tried to calm her fears.
There. there. my darllng-no NOR
harm shall come to you"
Already his active mind was formu
lnting plan for her relief.
She felt helpless, incompetent to ac'
to devise any means for saving llcrsel
from the fate that hung over her
"Now, my dear. since they know
you're n spy there's no great chapc