the lost road-第35章

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expressed　their　approval。

In　burlesque　the　young　man　exclaimed　indignantly：　〃Paul　deceived
me！〃　he　cried。　　〃He　told　me　he　had　married　the　most　beautiful　woman
in　Laon。　　He　has　married　the　most　beautiful　woman　in　France！〃

To　Marie　this　was　not　impertinence；　but　gallantry。

This　was　a　language　she　understood；　and　this　was　the　type　of　man；
because　he　was　the　least　difficult　to　manage；　she　held　most　in
contempt。

〃But　about　you　Paul　did　not　deceive　me；〃　she　retorted。　　In
apparent　confusion　her　eyes　refused　to　meet　his。　　〃He　told　me
'Pierrot'　was　a　most　dangerous　man！〃

She　continued　hurriedly。　　With　wifely　solicitude　she　asked
concerning　Paul。　　She　explained　that　for　a　week　she　had　been
a　prisoner　in　the　chateau；　and；　since　the　mobilization；　of　her
husband　save　that　he　was　with　his　regiment　in　Paris　she　had　heard
nothing。　　Captain　Thierry　was　able　to　give　her　later　news。　　Only
the　day　previous；　on　the　boulevards；　he　had　met　Count　d'Aurillac。
He　was　at　the　Grand　Hotel；　and　as　Thierry　was　at　once　motoring
back　to　Paris　he　would　give　Paul　news　of　their　meeting。　　He　hoped
he　might　tell　him　that　soon　his　wife　also　would　be　in　Paris。　　Marie
explained　that　only　the　illness　of　her　aunt　prevented　her　from　that
same　day　joining　her　husband。　　Her　manner　became　serious。

〃And　what　other　news　have　you？〃　she　asked。　　〃Here　on　the
firing…line　we　know　less　of　what　is　going　forward　than　you　in
Paris。〃

So　Pierre　Thierry　told　her　all　he　knew。　　They　were　preparing
despatches　he　was　at　once　to　carry　back　to　the　General　Staff；
and；　for　the　moment；　his　time　was　his　own。　　How　could　he
better　employ　it　than　in　talking　of　the　war　with　a　patriotic
and　charming　French　woman？

In　consequence　Marie　acquired　a　mass　of　facts；　gossip；　and
guesses。　　From　these　she　mentally　selected　such　information　as；
to　her　employers　across　the　Aisne；　would　be　of　vital　interest。

And　to　rid　herself　of　Thierry　and　on　the　fourth　floor　seek
Anfossi　was　now　her　only　wish。　　But；　in　attempting　this；　by
the　return　of　the　adjutant　she　was　delayed。　　To　Thierry　the
adjutant　gave　a　sealed　envelope。

〃Thirty…one；　Boulevard　des　Invalides；〃　he　said。　　With　a　smile　he
turned　to　Marie。　　〃And　you　will　accompany　him！〃

〃I！〃　exclaimed　Marie。　　She　was　sick　with　sudden　terror。

But　the　tolerant　smile　of　the　adjutant　reassured　her。

〃The　count；　your　husband；〃　he　explained；　〃has　learned　of　your
detention　here　by　the　enemy；　and　he　has　besieged　the　General
Staff　to　have　you　convoyed　safely　to　Paris。〃　　The　adjutant　glanced
at　a　field　telegram　he　held　open　in　his　hand。　　〃He　asks；〃　he　continued；
〃that　you　be　permitted　to　return　in　the　car　of　his　friend；　Captain
Thierry；　and　that　on　arriving　you　join　him　at　the　Grand　Hotel。〃

Thierry　exclaimed　with　delight。

〃But　how　charming！〃　he　cried。　　〃To…night　you　must　both　dine　with
me　at　La　Rue's。〃　　He　saluted　his　superior　officer。　　〃Some　petrol；
sir；〃　he　said。　　〃And　I　am　ready。〃　　To　Marie　he　added：　〃The　car　will
be　at　the　steps　in　five　minutes。〃　　He　turned　and　left　them。

The　thoughts　of　Marie；　snatching　at　an　excuse　for　delay；　raced
madly。　　The　danger　of　meeting　the　Count　d'Aurillac；　her　supposed
husband；　did　not　alarm　her。　　The　Grand　Hotel　has　many　exits；　and；
even　before　they　reached　it；　for　leaving　the　car　she　could　invent
an　excuse　that　the　gallant　Thierry　would　not　suspect。　　But　what
now　concerned　her　was　how；　before　she　was　whisked　away　to　Paris；
she　could　convey　to　Anfossi　the　information　she　had　gathered　from
Thierry。　　First；　of　a　woman　overcome　with　delight　at　being　reunited
with　her　husband　she　gave　an　excellent　imitation；　then　she　exclaimed
in　distress：　〃But　my　aunt；　Madame　Benet！〃　she　cried。　　〃I　cannot　leave
her！〃

〃The　Sisters　of　St。　Francis；〃　said　the　adjutant；　〃arrive　within　an　hour
to　nurse　the　wounded。　　They　will　care　also　for　your　aunt。〃

Marie　concealed　her　chagrin。　　〃Then　I　will　at　once　prepare　to　go；〃
she　said。

The　adjutant　handed　her　a　slip　of　paper。　　〃Your　laissez…passer　to
Paris；〃　he　said。　　〃You　leave　in　five　minutes；　madame！〃

As　temporary　hostess　of　the　chateau　Marie　was　free　to　visit
any　part　of　it；　and　as　she　passed　her　door　a　signal　from　Madame
Benet　told　her　that　Anfossi　was　on　the　fourth　floor；　that　he　was
at　work；　and　that　the　coast　was　clear。　　Softly；　in　the　felt　slippers
she　always　wore；　as　she　explained；　in　order　not　to　disturb　the
wounded；　she　mounted　the　staircase。　　In　her　hand　she　carried
the　housekeeper's　keys；　and　as　an　excuse　it　was　her　plan　to　return
with　an　armful　of　linen　for　the　arriving　Sisters。　　But　Marie　never
reached　the　top　of　the　stairs。　　When　her　eyes　rose　to　the　level
of　the　fourth　floor　she　came　to　a　sudden　halt。　　At　what　she　saw
terror　gripped　her；　bound　her　hand　and　foot；　and　turned　her　blood
to　ice。

At　her　post　for　an　instant　Madame　Benet　had　slept；　and　an　officer
of　the　staff；　led　by　curiosity；　chance；　or　suspicion；　had；　unobserved
and　unannounced；　mounted　to　the　fourth　floor。　　When　Marie　saw
him　he　was　in　front　of　the　room　that　held　the　wireless。　　His　back
was　toward　her；　but　she　saw　that　he　was　holding　the　door　to　the
room　ajar；　that　his　eye　was　pressed　to　the　opening；　and　that
through　it　he　had　pushed　the　muzzle　of　his　automatic。　　What
would　be　the　fate　of　Anfossi　Marie　knew。　　Nor　did　she　for　an
instant　consider　it。　　Her　thoughts　were　of　her　own　safety；　that
she　might　live。

Not　that　she　might　still　serve　the　Wilhelmstrasse；　the　Kaiser；　or
the　Fatherland；　but　that　she　might　live。　　In　a　moment　Anfossi
would　be　denounced；　the　chateau　would　ring　with　the　alarm；　and；
though　she　knew　Anfossi　would　not　betray　her；　by　others　she　might
be　accused。　　To　avert　suspicion　from　herself　she　saw　only　one　way
open。　　She　must　be　the　first　to　denounce　Anfossi。

Like　a　deer；　she　leaped　down　the　marble　stairs　and；　in　a　panic
she　had　no　need　to　assume；　burst　into　the　presence　of　the　staff。

〃Gentlemen！〃　she　gasped；　〃my　servantthe　chauffeurBriand　is　a
spy！　There　is　a　German　wireless　in　the　chateau。　　He　is　using　it！
I　have　seen　him。〃　　With　exclamations；　the　officers　rose　to　their
feet。　　General　Andre　alone　remained　seated。　　General　Andre　was
a　veteran　of　many　Colonial　wars：　Cochin…China；　Algiers；　Morocco。
The　great　war；　when　it　came；　found　him　on　duty　in　the　Intelligence
Department。　　His　aquiline　nose；　bristling　white　eyebrows；　and
flashing；　restless　eyes　gave　him　his　nickname　of　l'Aigle。

In　amazement；　the　flashing　eyes　were　now　turned　upon　Marie。　　He
glared　at　her　as　though　he　thought　she　suddenly　had　flown　mad。

〃A　German　wireless！〃　he　protested。　〃It　is　impossible！〃

〃I　was　on　the　fourth　floor；〃　panted　Marie；　〃collecting　linen　for
the　Sisters。　　In　the　room　next　to　the　linen…closet　I　heard　a　strange
buzzing　sound。　　I　opened　the　door　softly。　　I　saw　Briand　with　his
back　to　me　seated　by　an　instrument。　　There　were　receivers　clamped
to　his　ears！　My　God！　The　disgrace！　The　disgrace　to　my　husband　and
to　me；　who　vouched　for　him　to　you！〃　　Apparently　in　an　agony　of
remorse；　the　fingers　of　the　woman　laced　and　interlaced。　　〃I　cannot
forgive　myself！〃

The　officers　moved　toward　the　door；　but　General　Andre　halted
them。　　Still　in　a　tone　of　incredulity；　he　demanded：　〃When　did　you
see　this？〃

Marie　knew　the　question　was　coming；　knew　she　must　explain　how
she　saw　Briand；　and　yet　did　not　see　the　staff　officer　who；　with　his
prisoner；　might　now　at　any　instant　appear。　　She　must　make　it　plain
she　had　discovered　the　spy　and　left　the　upper　part　of　the　house
before　the　officer　had　visited　it。　　When　that　was　she　could　not
know；　but　the　chance　was　that　he　had　preceded　her　by　only　a
few　minutes。

〃When　did　you　see　this？〃　repeated　the　general。

〃But　just　now；〃　cried　Marie；　〃not　ten　minutes　since。〃

〃Why　did　you　not　come　to　me　at　once？〃

〃I　was　afraid；〃　replied　Marie。　　〃If　I　moved　I　was　afraid　he　might　hear
me；　and　he；　knowing　I　would　expose　him；　would　kill　me…and　so
escape　you！〃　There　was　an　eager　whisper　of　approval。　　For　silence；
General　Andre　slapped　his　hand　upon　the　table。

〃Then；〃　continued　Marie；　〃I　understood　with　the　receivers　on　his
ears　he　could　not　have　heard　me　open　the　door；　nor　could　he　hear
me　leave；　and　I　ran　to　my　aunt。　　The　thought　that　we　had　harbored
such　an　animal　sickened　me；　and　I　was　weak　enough　to　feel　faint。
But　only　for　an　instant。　　Then　I　came　here。〃　　She　moved　swiftly　to
the　door。　　〃Let　me　show　you　the　room；〃　she　begged；　〃you　can　take
him　in　the　act。〃　　Her　eyes；　wild　with　the　excitement　of　the　chase；
swept　the　circle。　　〃Will　you　come？〃　she　begged。

Unconscious　of　the　crisis　he　interrupted；　the　orderly　on　duty
opened　the　door。

〃Captain　Thierry's　compliments；〃　he　recited　mechanically；　〃and　is
he　to　delay　longer　for　Madame　d'Aurillac？〃

With　a　sharp　gesture　General　Andre　waved　Marie　toward　the　door。
Without　rising；　he　inclined　his　head。　　〃Adieu；　madame；〃　he　said。
〃We　act　at　once　upon　your　information。　　I　thank　you！〃

As　she　crossed　from　the　hall　to　the　terrace；　the　ears　of　the　spy　were
assaulted　by　a　sudden　tumult　of　voices。　　They　were　raised　in　threats
and　curses。　　Looking　back；　she　saw　Anfossi　descending　the　stairs。
His　hands　were　held　above　his　head；　behind　him；　with　his　automatic；
the　staff　officer　she　had　surprised　on　the　fourth　floor　was　driving　him
forward。　　Above　the　clinched　fists　of　the　soldiers　that　ran　to　meet　him；
the　eyes　of　Anfossi　were　turned　toward　her。　　His　face　was　expressionless。
His　eyes　neither　accused　nor　reproached。　　And　with　the　joy　of　one　who
has　looked　upon　and　then　escaped　the　guillotine；　Marie　ran　down　the
steps　to　the　waiting　automobile。　　With　a　pretty　cry　of　pleasure　she　leaped
into　the　seat　beside　Thierry。　　Gayly　she　threw　out　her　arms。　　〃To　Paris！〃
she　commanded。　　The　handsome　eyes　of　Thierry；　eloquent　with
admiration；　looked　back　into　hers。　　He　stooped；　threw　in　the　clutch；
and　the　great　gray　car；　with　the　machine　gun　and　its　crew　of　privates
guarding　the　rear；　plunged　through　the　park。

〃To　Paris！〃　echoed　Thierry。

In　the　order　in　which　Marie　had　last　seen　them；　Anfossi　and　the
staff　officer　entered　the　room　of　General　Andre；　and　upon　the
soldiers　in　the　hall　the　door　was　shut。　　The　face　of　the　staff
officer　was　grave；　but　his　voice　could　not　conceal　his　elation。

〃My　general；〃　he　reported；　〃I　found　this　man　in　the　act　of　giving
information　to　the　enemy。　　There　is　a　wireless…〃

General　Andre　rose　slowly。　　He　looked　neither　at　the　officer　nor
at　his　prisoner。　　With　frowning　eyes　he　stared　down　at　the　maps
upon　his　table。

〃I　know；〃　he　interrupted。　　〃Some　one　has　already　told　me。〃　　He
paused；　and　then；　as　though　recalling　his　manners；　but　still
without　raising　his　eyes；　he　added：　〃You　have　done　well；　sir。〃

In　silence　the　officers　of　the　staff　stood　motionless。　　With　surprise
they　noted　that；　as　yet；　neither　in　anger　nor　curiosity　had　General
Andre　glanced　at　the　prisoner。　　But　of　the　presence　of　the　general
the　spy　was　most　acutely　conscious。　　He　stood　erect；　his　arms　still
raised；　but　his　body　strained　forward；　and　on　the　averted　eyes　of　the
general　his　own　were　fixed。

In　an　agony　of　supplication　they　asked　a　question。

At　last；　as　though　against　his　wish；　toward　the　spy　the　general
turned　his　head；　and　their　eyes　met。　　And　still　General　Andre　was
silent。　　Then　the　arms　of　the　spy；　li