an shake them
down,' he announced in a loud tone.

"'Don't shoot, monsieur l'Officer,' cried a voice from the tree.

"'What! Some one up there?'

"'Yes, yes. It is I, Lucien,' was the reply from the tree.

"'Come down, Lucien. I would like to have a look at you,' ordered the
captain.

"A very young boy, red of face and very much frightened, came sliding
down the trunk of the tree and landed on all fours at its foot. The
officer eyed him sternly.

"'What do you mean, boy, by bombarding me with apples?' he demanded.

"Lucien hung his head. The officer jerked him to his feet.

"'Answer me! What were you doing up in that tree? Spying on us, eh?'

"'No, monsieur l'Officer, I am a Frenchman. Frenchmen do not spy on
their own people.'

"'That is true. But how do I know you are not spying on us just the
same, for the Germans have been here?'

"'Yes, monsieur le Capitaine, they have been here. See, they have
spoiled my beautiful home. I lived there with the farmer for whom I
worked--sometimes.'

"'Where were you when the Germans came?'

"'Up in the top of the apple tree. I always climb a tree when I am
scared. I saw them coming and I hid myself, and I saw them when they
beat in the windows and the door and carried away the food and tried
to burn down the house. I shall fight them some day for that.'

"'Hm-m-m-m,' mused the officer. It was his idea that Lucien was not so
stupid as he appeared.

"'Yes, monsieur, I saw them and I wish to see them again. Shall you go
and fight the Boches?'

"'Of course, when we catch them. How long since they were here?'

"'Maybe an hour or an hour and a half.'

"'How many of them?'

"'About as many as you have here, maybe another company more.'

"'Which way did they go?'

"'That way.' Lucien indicated the direction taken by the Germans by a
jerk of his thumb to the right. 'And Lucien knows pretty well where
they have gone.'

"'Oh, you do? Kindly tell me where you think the Boches went?'
demanded the captain, now amused at the boy's queerness.

"'They have gone to cut off the road from Etain. I saw them going that
way.'

"'How do you know this?'

"'Did I not hear them talking just before I dropped an apple on the
head of the Herr Major, the apple that stuck on his helmet and made
him very angry? It was well for Lucien that the Herr Major did not
know he threw the apple. Wait while I laugh, Captain. No, Lucien did
not throw another at the Herr Major. He saved the nex