The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-03-08
A Catspaw
By EUNlCE BLAKE

Before the breaking out Of the great
European war l was travelling in
France, near the eastern boundary,
when one day l met girl with whom
became acquainted. She said she
had been born in America and had
lived there the most Of her life. She
was about twenty years old and seem
cd to be very strong for Il girl. was
doing my travelling on foot, and, Since
she was also Il pedestrian, we conclud-
ed to proceed together, both being un-
protected women. | noticed that she
was very secretive.
However, one evening she gave me
her confidence. She brought forth sew
cral drawings on chronological sub
jects. in which science she protested
to be greatly interested. There were
the magificd head Of a fly, Il beetles
wing and a birds foot. The drawings
had on them certain marks which she
explained to me and gave the number
Of times they had been magnificd and
other information. Not having any
taste for or knowledge of entomology,
| could only look at her drawings and
listen to what she said. When she had
finished talking about them she told
me that it was possible she might wish
to turn them over to me to forward
for her to such place as she should
Designate. | did not see why such q
course should be necessary. since they
could be easily mailed at slight eX-
pcnsc. for they were on very thin pa
per and OF light weight.
One day when we were walking near
some fortiiicalions my friend seemed
to me to have suddenly become merry
Gus. | noticed Il man walking near
us, and whenever his back was turned
she cast furtiyc glanccS toward him.
That evening Miss Warbeck-tle
name she gave me--hanucu me IN en-
vclopc and asked NE to post it when
should be near Il mail box. She said
that she had received 4 telegram to
come home Immediately, her mother
being i'll. and would likely leave by the
first train in the morning, though Of
this she did not seem to feel certain.
took the note and promised to do as
she asked. Before going to bed I went
into her room to say goOdby to her.
What was my establishment to find her
gone. with the handbag she carried on
her travels. l noticed that a window
was open, and she had left the room
In disorder Looking out through the
window, | saw that there WIS Il Shed
directly below, on to which one might
drop and thence to the ground
wondered. but said nothing. If
she had reasons for leaving the house
without paying her bill it was no con-
Germ of mine. Landlords are usually
able to take care of their own inter-
ests. l went to bed and to sleep.
My suspicious having been aroused,
determined to get rid of the letter she
had given me at once. 1t was address,
ed to some one III Switzerland. After
breakfast l went out. found letter
box and WAS about to put the missive
in it when | felt hand on my wrist
ana Il man sad pOltelv:
81 will trouble you for that. made
moiselle."
Had | not been familiar with the
fact that the eyes Of European govern
strangers, l would have been more sur
prised than l was. However, | was
suspicious of Miss War
beck to surrender the letter without
even protest. Returning to my hotel.
l packed my grip and was about to
leave the house when an officer in uni
form accosted me and asked hurriedly.
"Where is the man who was walking
with you yesterday"
Man? There was no man with me-"
"Well, then, the woman:"
81 don't know. She left me last
night"
"Will you please come with me.
mademoiselle:
l dared not protest, but went with
the man, who took me to a military
GER in uniform. He asked me many
questions about my recent companion.
then called on me to establish my own
This | was we'll able to do
having with me letters from home and
other evidences that l was q woman
to see the world.
This is perfectly satisfactory said
the officer You have not been suS-
pected; from the first we have sup
posed that you have been dupe. Your
companion is a man and 4
spy. He has been sketching fortitica
lions along the border and has COM
missioned you to mail his drawings for.
him." |
He took the drawings from a desk
and showed them to me.
But these are merely drawings Of
insect parts magnified,' protested. !
He then showed me that they were !
drawings Of forts with lines from and !
about them that caused them to look |
ike what l had supposed they were.
The marks that had been told indi- !
~ tod tho marnif3etl nOwer really intli- |