The Dermott news., 1918-01-03

contrivancc in his arms.
 Here is telephone-' he announced proudly.
 What" Streetman exclaimed. And he hastened to examine the find. "Oh, ho, What's this?" he asked.
 Henri Christophe was no less sur prised than the others He took the h. strument from Otto and turned 1t over euriously.
 Why. m'sieu-it is A telephone" he said with an air of ste utmost mystif- cation.
 'i know. know-but what Is it do- ing there: e,-cetman asked imperi otssly
 Il do not know, n'sieu," Christophe stammered. In a flash he saw that things looked very black for himself
 Why did you hide it?" Already Streetman had found him guilty.
 Il did not hide it. m'seu,''
 An inspiration seized Streetman then. And he took the telephone into his own hands.
 Who are you?" he asked in French. Nl''ahiiit- dlitItiy Iutb tue tlaHSlIl1tltF. The fellow received an immediate reply. And he said to his men in the next brea tn. Tt was q Frenchman who spoke. That telephone leads to the French. It Is the work of spy" And then Streetman ordered Otto's comrade Hans to ask Major von Brenig to re- turn.
 Poor Henri Christophe forgot all about his simple menu. He stood there crestfallen. The whole affair was too much for his befogged brain.
 You were warned against any at tempt to communicate with the en- emy." Streetman said
 Il never saw that telephone before," Christophe declared.
 Don't lie to me! You put 1t therew
 Il swear to you" TEe innkeeper held both his hands aioft as he pro claimed his innocence. But bis pro testations had no effect upon the in- dlgnant Streetman. The man seemed absolutely relentless. inhuman.
 You are either French spy or har- boring n spy under your roof" he told Ghristophe. Tt Is an act of enmity to Us. You must pay the penalty at once"
 .'On my honor have done nothing absolutely nothing" Henri Chrlstophe cried Even In that moment his thoughts were upon his daughter Jeanne rather than upon himself. He was afraid for her
 Our proclamations have told you what to expect" Streetman snared Tt will be a good warning to the oth- CTS" he added grimiy.
 The Belgian innkeeper stared at him as if In a trance.
 Before God. l am innocent" he as- serted.
 The callous Streetman paid not the slightest heed to his denials. In a most brisk and businesslike manner he com guard and make ready a firing squad against the wall outside" he said.
 Then little Jeanne Christophe opened one of the doors timidly. Some errand had necessitated her entering the room. And when she saw her fathers ashen '''NN II iN'uti iittiS to tSsA hSa that there was some tragedy impend- ing. With a low cry she sprang 10 her fathers side.
 My father-my father-what Is it?' she asked him.
 Fl Is spy" Streetman said eon- temptuously
 Non, non, m'sIeu.' she cried.
 Wait, .. Come here" he or dered her roughly And Henri Chris tephe whispered to her to obey. You have seen that telephone before:" Streetman inquired Already the cor poral had returned with four men. bearing rifles.
 No, no Never in all my life,. the girl walled
 Your father hid 1t there" he in sisted
 Non. non m'sleu,' she said with all the vel.mence she could muster.
 Enough of talklngw Streetman said with a cruel glance at her white face. Take him out" he ordered the cor poral.
 For one brief moment father and daughter clasped each other in s last embrace
 Tt Is the end. my little Jeanne, Gnol-by! Pray for mer' Henri Chris taphe said brokenly. And in that in Stant n new dignity came to him-a 1 dignity such as must have clothed the ancient martyrs, or that later tragic | figure. for whom his own daughter was d'Arc-when the su preme summons overlook them. Tt Is all over, ma petite" he repeated. And then he drew himself up to his fullest height and looked at his unyleldlng judge uDilnchingly. .'I am innocent, m'sieur' he said.
 Those were the last words that Henri Christophe spoke.
 Henry Streetman made a gesture of impatlence. The scene bored him.
 Jeanne Christophe burst into wild torrent of words Alternately she ad