The spectator., 1919-04-15

the sale of farm produce, beer and wines to the troops billeted all around. Two estamiiiets (French saloons) were still open and did a thriving busi- ness.
 Occasionally q shell would burst in the village, but the civilians did not seem to mind it; just carried on with their farming and business as usual.
 "'We decided to make thorough search of all houses, barns and build ings for concealed wires, and did so, but with barren results. Nothing sus- picious was found. This search vast ed five days, and we were in despera- tion. Watch and question as we would, not single clue came to light.
 During this time two large bodies of troops had passed through and each time they were heavily shelled, with dire results.
 "'On the sixth night of our assign ment, utterly disgusted, I, being in charge, had decided to chuck up the whole business and report back to Old Pepper that we had made a mess out of the investigation. My partner pleaded with me to stick it out a cou- pie of days more, and after he gave me a vivid description of what Old Pepper would hand out to us decid- ed to stick it out for six months, if necessary. To celebrate this decision my side-kicker offered to blow to sev- eral rounds of drinks. Now, this fel- low had never, during my acquaint- ance with him, offered to spend ha'. penny so I quickly accepted his offer and we went to the nearest eStaminet.
 Sitting around long table, drink ing French beer and smoking cigar. cites, was a crowd of soldiers, laugh ing, joking, arguing and telling stories.
 "We sat down at the end of the table, and in low tone tried to work impossible theories as to how the spy, if there was one-by this time we were doubtful--could get the informa- tion back to the German batteries.
 "Right across from us were two soldiers arguing about farming. Sud- denly my side-liicker pinched me on IiIt AItc anu NHISlltItu.
 "'.Iistcn to what those two fellows across the table from us are saying. It sounds good"
 I listened for about a minute and then paid no further attention. At that time farming in no way interested mo. 1 wanted to catch that spy, and started deviSing impossible theories as to the ways and means of doing so. At last I gave up in disgust. My part her was still attentively listening to the two across the table from us. An other poke in the knee from my part her and 1 was all attention. One of the fellows across the way was talking:
 '"Well, don't see why this French blighter should change horses in his blow every afternoon. I've watched him for several days. Now, in the morning he uses two grays, and then about two in the afternoon he either hooks up two blacks or gray and black. French ways may be different, but this frog-eater is very partial to the Colors of his team. He works the grays all morning and then changes them in the afternoon. Now, figure it out for yourself. He starts work with the two grayS about six o'clock in the morning; works the two beggars up till noon. That's six hours straight. Then he sticks them in the stable, lays off for two hours. and in the afternoon about two o'clock the new relay of animals comes on and works up till four. Now, anybody with any brains in their nappers knows that Is no way to keep horses in condition, working one team over six hours and the other team only two hours. know because we have been farmers in our family back In Blighty for generations"
 "I was all excitement, and a great hope surged through me that at last we had fallen on the clue that we were looking for. Restraining my eager ness as much as possible I addressed the fellow who had just spoken:
 ""Well. mate, don't like to intrude into your conversation, but I've also been farmer all my life and I don't see anything queer in the actions of this French farmer"
 "'He answered: Well blime me. there might be reason for this blighter doing this, but I can't figure 1t out at all. If you can explain 1t, go ahead"
 "I answered.: "Well, perhaps if you can give little more details about il, it would be easy enough to explain. Who is the farmer, and where is his farm located?"
 "We swallowed the bait. all right, md informed me that the farmer was blowing a field on g hill about five hundred yards west of the church at point where our troops were being shelled.
 Buying a round of drinks, | nudGed my partner and he came In on the conversation. The two of us, by adroit questioning, got the exact loca- tion of the field and a description of thf forn,ar