-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 automati