The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-12-15

~AAAN liz way Gum oNOlhCo
to shine upon that tiny country with
just little more benefcence than II
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, messieursv' the inns sole
waiter. Louis, exclaimed as he laid up.
on the table the change that was due
the two guests. And Behold, gentle.
men,! 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 innkeepei
himself, one Henri Christophe, entered
You're going already?" he ex
claimed, reluctant to see good custom
ers leaving. at is not late"
"My wife expects me-" one of them
replied with a humorous grimace. "Yor
understands"
"Mais oui! l 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 ar
avalanche Of ill-will upon his excellent
hosiery. So he babe his departing
guests good-by.
AS they passed through the oper
doorway, chattering. he turned to an
| other man who sat in a corner of the
room reading newspaper. He was 6
Frenchman-that other-and a stran
ger to the innkeeper.
Something for MONSIEUR" 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 cap and long, linen
buster. And there was something In
his aspect that did not wholly please
| the little man ut the table, as be cast
|! 9 quick, sidewise glance at The tall IN,
1ruder. Perhaps It was the smlaaiiT, Ten
ton mustache that adorned the upper
lip of the tall man in the dustcoat. At
all events, the Frenchman's eyes mar.
rowed to two Sits. 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 a pipe
from his pocket he filled 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
TourvilleT Larry Redmond asked.
The tall man was no other than the
Irish captain.
"Ten milesw the Frenchman replied
promptly. l
"Exactly?" Larry questioned.
There was a slight yet still notice
able pause as the little man looked up
at him searchingly.
Exactly he said with peculiar
emphasis on the word.
Exactly" Larry said once more.
And when the wiry Frenchman sprang
up from his seat and looked signifi.
cantly into 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
friend?" Larry asked him.
"You were expected yesterday" his
confederate replied.
II could not leave then. 1t is busy
back there inside their lines" Captain
Redmond explained.
His fellow spy started at that. And
he looked at him with undisguised sur.
prise.
"You have been with the German
armyT he exclaimed, as If the feat
were scarcely to be believed.
"No, not yet! But tonight I shall be
In the German army. | must join my
regiment at once" He pulled aside
his buster, 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.
II shall be captain--Captain Karl"
Larry continued.
The Frenchman regarded him
soberly.
"Here in that uniform, 1t is danger.
GUS work, Captain Redmond" he re.
minded him.
ttaL