The Dermott news., 1918-01-10

q haSnilSnt rom ms pocket ana crept down the steps as he talked. Wait" he said. And in another moment he had so placed the light at the foot of the stairs that its beams shot upward through the opening. That's 1t. that's it"' he exclaimed gelightedly. He was still standing upon the cellar floor. The lights shining in your face! Look Can you see me?" he asked.
 No. no, The light blinds me. I can't see you at all" she told him.
 He came up quickly then
 "Good-good. Now listen. .. If somebody peeked down there. wouldn't they think desperate wom- an was standing at the foot of these stairs waitin' to shoot the first man who tried to come down?"
 Ethel stood there in the glare of the fiashight had listened to his plans.
 .Yes-yes-I believe they would" she admitted. beginning to understand his scheme.
 And that's what we've got to make them believe. Now. hasten. darlin'- hasten 'Tis best here," He led her behind the cigar counter. for he had suddenly abandoned his previ- ous notion of eoncealing her in the ad- joining room "Go and hide" he di- reeted. And she erouehed low in the shadow of the counter "Ah. God is good to the lrsh"' he exulted Have you revolver?"
 "Yes. Larry". She produced a small. nickeled weapon.
 He took it from her
 Iris rather q toy" he said But suppose 1t will shoot. Then don't let the sound of shot frighten you into screaming I've got to give myself bit of flesh wound just in the hand"
 "No, no.' she exclaimed In increased alarm.
 With this 1t can be only d scratch" he said. As soon as shoot. duck and hide Now. here goeS"
 He shot himself in the right hand. then handed the revolver back to Ethel. who immediately huddled behind the counter. Then Larry banged the trap door shut. And backing away from it. he waited for the men who as he knew would soon come running In.
 In another moment they burst upon him.
 Herr captain-you are wounded" Lieutenant Baum cried
 lis nothing" Larry replied. And he proceeded to handage his bloody hand with handkerchief.
 Others joined the startled knot of Germans-among the newcomers. Ma jor von Brenig
 '"rhe spy-the woman spy-where Is she2" he asked
 Larry told him that the woman had escaped
 The major swore roundly at that
 And then Larry explained that she had suddenly produced q revolver and shot him. Before l could draw my own revolver she'd got away" he said she raised the trapdoor and went down there." he continued, pointing to the floor
 The major remembered that there was no outlet to the wine cellar And without hesitation he raised the trap. door te face q blindng burst of light He backed away quickly.
 What the devil," he shouted.
 And at the same time Larry warned him to be careful.
 she must have one of our pocket fashli shts," he said What target 1t made of you. major, And in the dark you could not see her. could you?"
 "No"' von Brcnig admitted. And she can pick off our men one by one as they go down unless we rush her"
 Larry closed the door quickly.
 If l may make so bold as to sug- gest-" he began; and seeing that the major gave him permission to continue. he said. If there Is no way out of the cellar save that. why waste our men when all we need is to leave her there to starve-till there's no fight in herr"
 Why not leave her there foreverH' von Brenig asked. He was, above everything. a practical man.
 Iris better stil-'tis just fate for a spy" Larry agreed,
 "Baum-run a bayonet through the hasp," the major ordered The paddock had fallen into the cellar unheeded when Larry first opened the trap Later you will make the fastening permanent" yon Brenig said.