The Washington times., 1919-01-18

the question for me without any
papers 7 think we should keep
away from the Rhine, don't youf
as otherwise we shall pass through
Wesel, which Is fortress. and, con-
seauently. deviIish unhealthy for
both OF us"
Francis nodded VITA his mouth
full.
AT present ve can count on
about twelve hours Of darkncsx.-
continued $50. leaving a margin
for the slight detour we shall make.
for rests and for losing the way, I
think we ought to be able TO reach
Castle Bellevue on the third night
from this. II the weather holds up.
IL won't be too bad. but IL A. rsirs.
II viii be hellishi Now, have you
any suggestionsy"
My brother acoufesced a. g.
deed. he had In everything I hs6
proposed since we met Poor feI-
low. he had had a roughish time.
ne seemed glad to have the dire.
tion OF Affairs taken obt Of his
hands for bit
AT hslf-psst seven that evening.
our packs on our backs, we stood
on the outskirts Of the town where
the road branches on TO Crefeid.
IN tne pocket OF the overcost I had
hlched from Haase's found an
automatic pistol. fully loaded fnosf
OF our customers at the beer cellar
went armed).
you've got the document Fr.r-
els" said. You'd better havx
this. tool" and passed him the
gun.
Francis waved il aside.
You keep IT," he said grimly, sft
port"
So / slipped the weapon back
into my pocket.
A cold drop Of rain fell upon my
TO RAIN"
Journey.
IL was a nightmare tramp. The
ram never ceased BY day we Law
IN icy misery. chilled 10 the bone
IN our sopping clothes, In some
oank oitch or wet undergroxth.
with aching bones and bIisteoeA
Feet, rearing detection. but fearing
even more, the coming of night
and the resumption OF our msrrh-
fet we stuck to our program, m.
Spsrtans. and about 8 O'Clock or
the third evening, hobblinr p.in-
Iuiiy along the road that runs fro-n
Cieves 70 Calcar. we were reward
go ny the sight OF a long massive
puiioIng, with turrets at tie cor-
ners' standing back from the high
way behind tall brick building
"Bellevue- I said 10 Fr.,-t.
with pointing finger.
We left the road and cIiu1hipr .
wooden paiissde. struck out across
the fields with the idea of rettfnr
INTO the park from the back. we
passed some black and silent farm
ouiioings. went through a gate ana
INTO a paddock. on the further side
or which ran the wall surrounding
the place. Somewhere bevond ~.
wall fre was blazing. We could
sec the iespiug light of the flames
and drifting smoke. At the same
moment We heard voices. loud yoices
disputing in German.
We crept across the paddock 70
the wall. I gave Francis a bsck
and he hoisted himself to the ton
and looked over. In a moment he
spranS lightly down. q finger 20 his
lips.
soldiers around a fire. be vh,s-
pered. There must be troops BILL.
leted here. Come on well
go further roundi'
We ran softly along the wal, 90
where Il turned 10 the right and
followed IL round. Presently v-s
came TO a small Iron gate in. TIE
wall. It stood open.
We listened. The sound OF voices
was fainter here. We still saw the
reflection of the flames in the sfv.
Otherwise. there was no sign or
sound Of human life.
The gate led into an ornamental
garden with the castle at the fur
thcr end. All the windows were fn
darkness. We threaded q garden
path leading 10 the house. n
brought US in front OF q glass door.
] turned the--ssndie and IL yielded
to my grasp. r-3e
whispered TO Francis:
, stay where you are, Ard 70 700
hear me shout fiy for your life:"
For. reflected. the place might
be full OF troops. IL there were
any risk il would be better for me
to take IL. since Francis. with his
identity papers. had a better chsnce
than I OF bringing the document
into safety.
Iopened the glass door and found
myself in a lobby with door on
the right.
I listened again. All was still 7
cautiously opened the door and
looked in. As 7 did SO the place was
suddenly flooded with light. and
yoice-a voice ] had often heard IN
my dreams--called out imperiously:
"Stay where you are and put your
hands above your head"
Clubfoot stood there, a pistol IN
his great hand pointed at me
"Grundt!" I shouted. but did not
move.
And Clubfoot laughed.