op is mine, and I have
burned it."

"Yours, impudent?" cried the governor angrily, raising a cane which lay
upon his desk as though about to slash his prisoner about the face.
"Yours? And who are you?"

"I am Max Durend, the son of the owner of the workshops, and I would
sooner see the place burned from end to end than of use to the Germans."

"Ah, that is good!" replied the governor in a voice of satisfaction,
dropping his hand and turning towards the officer who had ushered Max
into the room. "It will have a salutary effect if we execute the son of
Herr Durend. It will aid our cause tremendously."

"Yes, General."

"I have given myself up that the innocent men you have seized upon may
be released," Max interposed. "They know nothing of it. I am solely
responsible."

"Ja, so. I have now no quarrel with them," replied the governor
indifferently. "They are pawns. Now I have the real miscreant I need
them not."

"I am no miscreant. They are miscreants who would slaughter thirty-nine
innocent men because the right one had slipped through their fingers."

The governor glared at Max with eyes that goggled with rage. He was
clearly unaccustomed to such plain speaking. "I remember that Herr von
Schenkendorf once told me that Monsieur Durend had married an
Englishwoman. You are half a mad English dog, and your manners proclaim
it."

"It is true," replied Max steadily.

"Ja, you and your countrymen are half barbarian. You know naught of
Kultur."

"Thank God!" cried Max with an emphasis that caused the governor to
spring to his feet, seize the cane anew, and slash the prisoner heavily
across the cheek. Max flinched--he could not help it--but he moved
neither hand nor foot.

This outburst seemed to calm the Prussian, for he dropped back into his
chair and in a judicial manner, though with a very vindictive and
unjudicial scowl upon his face, he passed judgment.

"The prisoner has pleaded guilty. You will take him to-morrow morning to
Monsieur Durend's works, and at midday you will shoot him there."

"In public, sir?" enquired the officer.

"Yes, as an example to all his late workmen. A placard announcing the
impending execution will be posted outside."

"Yes, sir."

Max was led away. Indignation at the brutality of the Prussian was
strong within him, and he held his head erect, and answered look for
look the hostile glances of those about him. The hot blood still coursed
through his veins, and the sacrifice