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The car sped through the streets of the sleeping city on its way to the Caserne de Vincennes barracks A fort had stood there once, before being destroyed by the Germans in 1870

Twenty minutes later, the automobile stopped and its party descended Mata Hari was the last to exit

The soldiers were already lined up for the execution Twelve Zouaves forroup stood an officer, his sword drawn

Flanked by two nuns, Father Arbaux spoke with the condemned woman until a French lieutenant approached and held out a white cloth to one of the sisters, saying:

"Blindfold her eyes, please"

"Must I wear that?" asked Mata Hari, as she looked at the cloth

Maitre Clunet turned to the lieutenant questioningly

"If Madame prefers not to, it is not mandatory," replied the lieutenant

Mata Hari was neither bound nor blindfolded; she stood, gazing steadfastly at her executioners, as the priest, the nuns, and her lawyer stepped away

The co histheir rifles--it is custoe in one, so that everyone can claim not to have fired the deadly shot--seemed to relax Soon the business would be over

"Ready!"