losely that you are not captured,' warned the
commander. 'The country through which you go is full of Prussians, and
they are ugly. Be cautious.'

"Assuring the officer that he would use due caution, Henri went on his
way, apparently without a care in the world. He was a most innocent
appearing boy and it would be keen eyes indeed that would suspect him
of being other than what he appeared, an irresponsible child.

"Henri now began to see German uniforms on all sides. They were
increasing in numbers.

"'Henri never will get through, this with his letter,' grumbled the
lad. 'I must act while there is yet time.' Crouching down and
watching the Prussians a few moments, he finally drew the remaining
letter from his blouse; he read it carefully several times, read it
until he had memorized every word of it. Having done this, the child
tore the letter in bits and, munching them thoroughly, calmly
swallowed them with a great gulp.

"'Ugh!' he grunted, making a wry face. 'That is not pleasant food, but
if the Boches can read the letter now their eyes are sharp indeed.
Henri carries his knowledge in his stomach. A queer place for
knowledge, but a good place when there are Boches about. Now I shall
be going.'

"He did not get far. The lad was halted shortly after leaving his
cover. Germans sprang up on all sides of him. He saw that he had
stumbled into a nest of them and that there was no escape.

"'What would you of me? I have done nothing,' cried the boy when he
was roughly dragged before an officer. 'I go to my parents in yonder
village.'

"'Is it for that that you crawl along and hide yourself as a spy?'
demanded the officer sternly.

"'I saw the soldiers and I was afraid,' he whimpered.

"'Take him away!' ordered the officer.

"'Take me where? You can see I have nothing. I am but a poor peasant
boy who could do no harm even if he would.'

"'You are shamming. You are a spy and you should be shot. Search him!'
commanded the officer.

"They stripped the child, Henri, during the operation, weeping
bitterly, but such tears as he shed were forced, yet they appeared
real to the onlookers. His clothing was very thoroughly searched, the
soldiers even tearing out the lining of his blouse and ripping his
necktie apart to make certain that no despatches were concealed in
them. Of course, they found nothing.

"'You see, I have told the truth,' he whimpered, now addressing the
officer. 'Please let me go to my parents.'