The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-12

tniHSs, Jul tHiS is WAL, anu we Illus
1 protect ourselves. -. You under
stand?"
Perfectly, SIR" said Henri Chris
topic.
/ "We shall take what supplies We
need" the majer continued, "but any
officer or man who refuses to pay vol
a just price, you will report to me
and he will be punished. If you de
mand an unjust price, you will be pun
| ished.'
Eyes, m'sieu."
| The subdued innkeeper had already
i started to leave the room when the
officers keen eye caught sight Of some.
thing that Immediately interested him
At his feet he noticed hasp and pad
lock. And with characteristic German
] thoroughness he at once desired Ia
solve tho mystery.
/ "Wait! What's this ?" he demanded
"Only the entrance to the wine eel.
lar" Christophe told him.
"Open it,"
| "Yes, m'sieu." Henri Christophe
stopped and unlocked the heavy pad
lock. "Voila, m'sieu" he exclaimed
as he lifted the trapdoor.
"Goodr' said the major as he
peered into the dark cavern. Later
on you will bring up some wine. II
will be excellent for tonight"
| Christophe had started to close the
trap when the major halted him again
us there any outlet to the cellar
save this?" he asked thoughtfully.
"None, m'sieu."
Baum" said the major, make sure
he is telling the truth--that no one
could escape that way"
Lieutenant Baum saluted, and, de
] taching a fiashlight from his belt he
descended the steps that led into the
cellar.
Now you may go cook dinner" the
major told the innkeeper.
Once rid Of preliminaries, Major vOt
Brenig addressed himself to Larry
Redmond, who all this time had beer
a silent onlooker to the proceedings
"Ah! You must be Captain Karl,
he said.
| Eyes, Herr Major" Larry answered
Il was told that you had only JUS
reported-your papers said on somi
special mission. Can be of assist
Itence"
LskbanR you, major; but at the mo
snent there is nothing" Larry tolt
fhim.
Perhaps you will dine with me?'
Major Won Brenig said. He was hos
pitable man. And he understood tina
Captain Karl was held in high esteem
by his superiors.
II thank you, Herr Major. Auf vie
dersehen" Larry replied. And Il,
walked to the door. He was not keel
to dine with the German officer, ant
face his frankly scrutinizing eyes, ant
perhaps have embarrassing questions
fred at him. But he saw no decen
way of declining. And thera was al
ways the chance that such minglinl
with enemy officers might yield valu
able information. If he should b,
caught-well! that was all in the game
Lieutenant Baum, returning from
the wine cellar, announced that he ha(
discovered no opening other than tn
one furnished by the trapdoor in TIN
floor.
"Goodr" the older officer said. "Nov
| shall go to my room and change m.
boots. I have not had them off 70
over a week"
"You have not questioned the Frencl
lady or the American" the lieutenan
reminded him.
II shall leave that to you and Ser
geant Schmidt" the major replied.
It was only few minutes befor
Lieutenant Baum had summoned Ethe
before him. He asked her name.
IT am Madame de Lorde," she toll,
him.
"a Frenchwoman?" he inquired.
Eyes, m'sieu."
He regarded her narrowly.
"You are perhaps woman spy
they say the French have many spies
must search you," he announced, +
her CONSERVATION.
"Oh, monsieur, may I speak private
| ly with your she begged him.
"Well, what Is it?'
"Only / wish to show you some
| thing"
"what trick is this2, he asked wit
asperity.
But Ethel only smiled at his gruff
ness. Lieutenant Baum was good
looking chap.
"surely you are not afraid of me-
one little womanp' she said archly.
"And very pretty womanW Hi
hand sought his mustache again
"Well, what is it, madame?"
Ethel drew him slightly to one. side
All but three of the infantrymen bill
leted upon Henri Christophe had with
drawn. But the remaining guard wa
all eyes and ears for this cross-examl
nation of a possible spy.
Does II seem possible that
Il Madame de Lorde can "put II
Z - 4