“‘So!  This is it?’

“Marie did not answer.  She could not.

“‘For this you shall be shot.  Stand back.  Give me that telephone!’

“Snatching it from her hands he got the French headquarters, though he did not know to whom he was speaking.

“‘Speaking to you is a Prussian major,’ he said in French.  ’He has just discovered why the French have been so fully informed.  The spy who has thus informed you is the Padre’s niece.  She dies tonight!’

“With that the major wrenched the telephone from its wires and ripped the wires out, leaving the outside wires, that were underground, for his engineers to destroy.  Marie, eyes now flashing, was led from her home and taken to the office of the general commanding the operations there.  Soon after her arrival her uncle came, in charge of two soldiers.  Then the examination began.  Not one bit of information would the girl give.  At last the commanding officer turned to the Padre.

“’It is my belief that you are responsible for this spying.  It is not my wish to shoot a Padre, but you shall be taken out and shot immediately!’

“‘No, no, no!’ cried Marie, now thoroughly aroused.  ’He knows nothing of what has been done.  I swear it, monsieur!  It is Marie who has informed the French of what the hated Prussians were doing.  I—­’

“’Ah!  You admit it!  It is well.  Take her away.  Take the Padre away also, but keep them separated.’

“Marie left the commander with head erect and eyes flashing.  Her only concern was for her uncle, whom she feared would be shot.  She had no doubts about herself Of course, they would shoot her and she gloried in the thought that she was to die for France.

“After her departure the Prussian general devoted several minutes to deep thought.

“‘Of course, Herr General, she will be shot,’ said the major who had made the capture.

“‘No!’ answered the commander, with emphasis.

“‘Not shot?’ questioned the officer in amazement.

“’No.  She shall be sent to the camp at Metz and imprisoned for the duration of the war.  The Padre also shall be sent to the rear and held during the rest of the war.’

“’Herr General, may I ask why, when both should be executed without delay?’

“’Because, major, I dislike to put a Padre to death, and further, I am satisfied that the girl told the truth when she said that he knew nothing of this affair.  He is a simple-minded man.  But the girl!’ The general shrugged his shoulders like a Frenchman.  ’She is keen as a new saber.’

“‘And knowing well what she was doing she should be shot,’ insisted the major.

“‘I have a daughter of her age,’ replied the general, slowly.  ’This child is so like her that I should feel like murdering my own were I to order her shot.  Major, I cannot do it.  See that my orders are carried out.  I shall explain my action in this matter to my superiors for their approval.’