"HE IS NOT A PRIEST!"
Reading edition
The following story illustrates the versatility of German spies: A French battalion had just entered a village which for some time previously had been occupied by the Germans. The place had been pillaged and devastated, the inhabitants had fled, but the church and priest's house were still intact. The aged curé came forth to greet the soldiers with open arms.
That evening officers invited the venerable cleric to dinner, and, as a matter of course, they invited him to say grace.
As he murmured a Latin prayer one officer, a lieutenant, became strangely interested. He became absolutely astonished as the priest went on. The lieutenant whispered to the colonel, and before the company had quite realized what was happening, four men with fixed bayonets had ranged themselves behind the curé.
"That man has never been a priest," exclaimed the officer.
Forthwith the man was searched. He was a German spy and had disguised himself as a priest in the deserted village. The real pastor was a hostage.