Show THOUGHT HIM A SPY an english officials narrow mccape in france in 1870 the thrilling adventure which befell captain haworth one of queen victorias messengers vividly illustrates the perils of the diplomatic service when a member of that corps Is traversing a country where the storm i and stress of war is raging it was during the franco german war and captain haworth was on his way home charged with dispatches from the english ambassador then at tours he got as far as the town of le ma ris when something suggested to the excited townsfolk the idea that he was a prussian spy he was arrested carried before the juge de paix and required to give an account of himself he explained that he was in the service of the british government and produced his credentials he was then asked to show the contents of the little bag which as he affirmed contained his official dispatches this he absolutely refused to do though he showed them the government label and seal his refusal was thought suspicious and ho lyas plainly ciless he could produce some more satisfactory evidence he must be prepared to die the unlucky messenger waa actually led away for execution and was saved only by little glimmering of common sense in the captain of the guard he was committed to this officer remonstrated with his prisoner on the folly of refusing to satisfy the court by submitting his papers to their inspection captain haworth told him that their bullets should go through that bag and his breast at the same time and that then they would have to reckon with tho british government the officer seemed to be impressed and sent him back to the authorities after further parley the englishman was ordered to clear out of the town with all speed an order which be did bis best to comply with |