The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1919-05-02
CHAPTER XII.

Mark strobe toward Etaples. He
had an intense longing for the lights
and comfort of the little inn. But he
had not gone more than a hundred
PAGES when Hartley hailed him.
"Going into Etaples?" he asked. ''Do
you mind my going with you?"
Frankly, yes, Hartley" answered
Mark. "You won't mind my saying
so? I want to be alone after"
II know, old man." said Hartley,
drawing back. "Sorry if I bothered
you."
But Mark swung round on him.
Hartley, answer me one question" he
said. "What has Miss Howard ever
had to do with you? Why have you
been watching her for six or seven
years"
Hartley began to walk along the
road at Marks side. He made curl
Gus gulping sound before he answered.
HAS it occurred to you, Mark, that
| the Henson woman has been operating
| in Washington for a good time noW?"
he asked.
II suppose so," Mark answered.
"You know everything was prepared
for years before the war began. The
system had ramifcations in every de-
partment Of the government. You know
Colonel Howard was In touch with 1t
as far back as the Cuban WARP?
"Good Lord, yes, but"
"And a man Is only pawn in such
| n rrop,n Caod God don't 1,1ocfinp mo
Mark I've been tool of hers, but
I'll swear that 1 never worked against
the government. I learned little by
little Of the whole accursed nest Of
spies. I obeyed their orders because
well, can't tell you now-but I worked
against them too. I've done them more
harm than good. 1 had my motives
selfish ones, despicable, perhaps; but
was never a traitor. Good God, Mark,
haven't you seen how your faith In me
has begun to make man Of me?"
Mark took Hartley's hand and
gripped it. It was the best and the
only possible answer. In their tacit
understanding they went on toward
the inn together.
Outside the inn they saw an auto,
with a soldier chauffeur in charge.
Hartley gripped Marks arm.
do you know whose that is?" he
whispered. "Kellnrman's!
The landlady came to the door
'Bonsoir, messieurs," she said smil.
ing. "This way tonight, if you please
She led them round by the side, into
the kitchen, where they found half q
dozen privates drinking light wine and
teasing the landlady's daughter as she
served them.
There was nothing in this to the
men; they were often turned out OF
the dining room-parlor when officers
put in an appearance. But-this was
Kellerman! Mark looked at Hartley
and saw intense excitement on his face
which he was trying most evidently tt
restrain.
He ordered beer of Annette, and fol
lowed her toward the outhouse II
which the liquor was stored. The gir
was a friend Of his, perhaps because
more serious than the rest, he treated
her with less badinage than was Gus
tomary among the soldiers. AS SHE
moved out of the lighted room into thu
shadows outside the merriment fel
like mask from her face.
"What is 1t, Annette?" asked Mark
"Ah, monsieur, it is tragic!' said th'
girl, pausing at the clubhouse door
"She is one Of my countrywomen. Thu
| 10 nF tho cnI1fh
landish part, but she is French-ant
she has come long way to meet him
and he will not have anything to d.
with her. How did she get through
the lines?"
"Who, Annette?'
'"The lady with the American officer
Listen, monsieur! Listen, them"
They were standing in front Of tn
: outhouse, which was set near an angl
of the old-fashioned building betweel
the parlor and the kitchen. The,
, could hear the imploring voice of tn
woman, and the subdued answers O
l Kellerman.
Then, elusive against the dark angl
I Of the building, Mark perceived Hart
> ley. lie was SLdnuluS unueF the mig
sill of the window, In such way tha
! Mark thought he could see through tn
chink between the sill and the lowe
:, edge of the blind. Eavesdropping a
he evidently was, Mark felt that some
: thing justified his presence there.
I Annette perceived him at the sam
/ moment. She started, and the
!. shrugged her shoulders.
: "Eh bien, monsieur, it is their al
y fair!" she said lightly, and went int
l the clubhouse. She was too wise to II
terfere with her customers. Mar
: hardly noticed her departure. He wa
S watching Hartley.
2 Suddenly the door opened and tn
: woman came down the steps that lie
t into the little vineyard behind the I'M
She raised her heavy veil to dab
: handkerchief at her eyes, and at tha
q moment Mark recognized Mrs. KensO1
He remained rooted to the grOun
|. in astonishment. But 1T was NOR
0 than that; he felt suddenly trapped
as if the WOman's presence there wa
). vitally connected with his own prof.
8 lens. as if he were the victim of som
far-reaching scheme with which h
y could not grapple.
r A minute later kellerman appeare