The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-04-11


about to entrain for the frontier. Yet
even under these conditions Renault
enjoyed a certain distinction. His
companions knew him, held him in
awe, the greatest of French tenors.
They boarded the cars. The train
moved, and Jean Renault, soldier of
France, was being hurried toward the
| enemy
The journeys end arrived The
men were hastily formed into line be-
side the railroad track. There was
| a sharp command and the company
moved off toward the site chosen for
their camp.
Night came, and with it a feeling
of awe. No camp-fires were permit
ted to be lighted, and the sole faint
glimmer came from the tent of the
general commanding the division,
where small electric-battery lamp
was carefully shrouded to prevent its
rays being seen from distance. On
the ground, wrapped in his blanket,
! lay Jean Renault, thinking of Alys
and dreaming of his contract with the
Metropolitan Opera company. Also
he thought of the possibility of his
being shot, and his flesh grew cold,
Overhead there was faint whirring
sound. Dimly he made out a great
bird-like shape lowering down in his
direction. He sat up and then laughed
softly. 1t was an aeroplane, and now
it touched the earth almost noise
lessly.
A scout of course. Renault turned
over and tried to sleep. But few
moments later dark figure edged
toward him. A hand was placed upon
his shoulder and he sat up, startled.
IN. lie General wishes to see you,"
said the man, and then, reckoning to
Renault to follow, started off through
the darkness.
Renault arose. He busted off his
clothing and twirled his mustache.
He, Jean Renault, must make a cred
table appearance before his COM
mandant-this man, a mere soldier,
not yet, If ever he should be, world
known figure. Doubtless, thought
Renault, the general wished him to
join his staff.
But Just inside the flap of the COM
manders tent sharp voice awakened
the tenor from his reverie.
"Renault," said the grizzled vet
eran of Sedan, my aeroplane scout
has just reported that the enemy are
invading France. They have crossed
the border and are marching between
our column and that of the Marshal
lie Fevre. AS they proceed they are
wrecking the telephone and telegraph
wires. Our wireless outfit is Grip
pied. l must go back so years in
warfare and send an orderly with dis
patches because l dare not risk be-
traying our position by using rockets
| or firebrand signals"
"How interesting" remarked Re-
nault with smile.
The general scowled There is one
man in my ranks who can pass the
German lines without detection-at
least without being hindered. 1t is
you, Renault"
Renault swelled out his chest. One
man in the army of France-Renault
Naturally, in time of danger the gen
eral would turn to him. 1t was to be
expected.
'You are known throughout the
world as a singer--a play actor" the
general continued. Renault over
looked the slip of the tongue and &C.
cepted the compliment.
Il wish you to carry a dispatch to
Marshal LIE Fevre," the general went
on. eff overtaken by the enemy you
will admit that you are Jean Renault,
the famous singer-say that you are
fleeing to catch a steamer for Amer
lea to fill your theatrical engagement
there. In that event they will prob
ably believe you, and even permit you
to pass on as noncombatant. Here
is the dispatch. Civilian clothes will
be supplied you, and you will start at
once in an automobile"
Renault was about to reply. He
was planning an impressive speech,
but suddenly the general turned upon
his heel and disappeared. An order
ly hurried the singer from the tent,
gave him clothing, and babe him
change
1t was too hurried-not effective
enough, Renault told himself. But a
few minutes later, disguised as him
self, the worlds greatest tenor found
himself speeding along a rough road
in a high-powered motor-a messen-
ger of France.
It was only trip of so miles. Run
ming cautiously through the darkness
without a headlight, the chauffeur
should make it in an hour and half
in so powerful a machine. But now,
after 40 minutes of rapid running, the
chauffeur suddenly brought the great
car to standstill. Ahead was some
obstacle, and now from it's direction
flashed a searchlight Dimly Renault
made out another automobile. 1t was
filled with officers in the field uniform
of Germany.
Now was his chance, the time to
act, his task being to deceive these
officers by pretending to be what he
really was, and not a soldier of
France. He saw revolvers leveled at
him and his companion. He heard
other machines drawing up. 1t was
the advance guard-the scouting party
of the invading army. He would
quickly satisfy their questions and
then proceed at top speed to warn
Marshal lie Fevre.
But suddenly his brow c1ouded In
the uniform of colonel of German
hussars he recognized his old-time
enemy-Heinrich Berghoff. And at