Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

some twenty ali toid, reduced now 10
ridden OF without delay, were gath
cred in knot around the corporal.
Some of their horses were tethered in
the barn. others wee picketed outside.
Scraps OF talk reached him.
This will be plume in your cap,
Franz"
"A thousand marks, picked up in a
filthy hole like this. Almachtig!"
What are they? Spies?'
Mai. Busch with stable fork. jolly
old Busch--one Of the best"
And bayoneted two officers of the
Westphalian commissariat, wounding a
third"
THE devil Was there a f,ghtg
Some of the fellows said Busch and
the others must have been drunk
Quite likely. ! was drunk every
day then"
A burst Of laughter
Lucky dog"
''Aeh. was! what's the good of having
been drunk SO long ago? There isn't
a bottle of wine now within five miles"
Tell US. then. Herr Kaporal, do we
remain here till dawn"
Dalroy grew family interested. 1t
was absurd to harbor the slightest ex-
pectation of Jan Maertz bringing sue
cor. but one might at least analyze the
led straight to firing party.
Those were our orders" answered
Franz. Things may be altered now.
fou teiioWs haven't grasped the real
value Of this cop. 1t wasn't stated on
the notice. but somebody of much more
importance than any ordinary officer
was interested in the girl being caught
she far more than the man"
Wei, well. Tastes differ! A peas
ant like that.'
You silly ass, she's no peasant.
That's the worst Of living in suburb
You acquire no standard Of COMPARE
son.
Thsae men were Beriiners. and were
amused by a sly dig at some locality
which. like Koepenick, offered a butt
for German humor
Hello! isn't that carr" said one.
There was silence. The drumming
OF a powerful automobile could be
heard through the patter of the rain.
attention.! growled Franz. A few
troopers went to the picketed horses.
The others lined up. A closed motor
car arrived. Its brilliant headlights
proclaimed the certain fact that the
presence Of Belgian troops in that To-
caitty was not feared. Dalroy recog-
ntzed this at once. and forthwith dis
missed from his mind the last shred Of
hope.
The chauffeur was a soldier Nv his
side sat the usual armed escort Geore
Eailoped up. Oombergen was only a
mile and half distant, and the road
through the wood was in such a condi-
.lon that the car was compelled to
travel slowly.
A cloaked staff officer aiighted. The
hussars stood stiff as so many ramrods
The newcomer took their salute pune
tiiIously, but his tone in addressing the
corporal was far from gracious.
What's this unlikely tale you've sent
harshIy
II don't think I'm mistaken. Herr
Hauptmann." was the answer. 1--WE
got that English captain and the lady
wanted at Wise. They've practically
admitted it,"
where are they?"
The man IS sitting there against the
wall. The lady is in the barn. stand
UP, prisoner"
Franz snatched away the cloak Dali
roy rose to his feet. He was smiling
at the ruthlessness of fate. He was
still smiling when Capt. Won HaIwig Of
the Prussian Imperial Guard flashed
an electric torch in his face It was
unnecessary. perhaps, to render thus
easy the task of recognition. But what
was sure Of his ground, and would re-
fuse to be gainsaid even by a staff
officer and guardsman.
Won Halwig's establishment seemed to
choke back any display OF wrath.
Then it is really your" he said,
quietly. in English.
Yes" replied Dalroy
The torch was switched off. Dalroy.s
- GO "cfe HioulcutATily DllndeQ 0y the
glare. but he heard an ugly chuckle.
Where is the female prisoner" said
Won Halwfg. with formality that was
as perplextng as his subdued manner.
Here. Herr Hauptmann."
The two entered the barn. So far as
Dalroy could judge. no word was
spoken. The torch Jared again, re-
manned lighted full half-minute, and
was extinguished.
Won Haiwig reappeared. seemed to
ponder matters and turnad To the cor
pora1
Put the woman in my car" he said.
Fail In your men. and be ready to es-
cort me back to the village. You've
done good days work, corporal"
Two men have gone in pursuit of
Jan Maertz. sir
Never mind. They'll have sense
enough to come on to headquarters II
they catch him How Is this English
man secured"
tn lubslant Franz explained.
Mount him on one of your horses:
The trooper can squeeze In in front of
the car. Has the female prisoner a
dagger or pistol?"
Il have not searched her, Herr
Hauptmann."