Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-23

uiars of your rough treatment down
there at the ranchT'
"The rough treatment--yes, STR"
"Would you mind telling me where
you were taken9--where you saw Dr..
Quinn
The sergeant hesitated one moment, .
troubled look ON his face. His one
available eye studied bis lieutenant's
features attentively. Something in the
frank, kind blue eyes--possibly some
sudden recollection. too-seemed to reas-
sure him.
at was to Mr.. Cowan's little house,
sir. He interpased to save me from =
worse beating at the hands Of three
brutes who were employed there and had
some grudge against this garrison Of
which ! was ignorant They attacked
me without . word of warning. II was
he, too, who called In DR.. Quin."
"Have you-did you see any Of the
people at Dunraven besides this young
manT'
II saw his mother, SIR. She Il a nurse
there, and has been in the family for
years. I am told"
Perry was silent a moment. Then he
spoke ae<;n:
Have you heard any furthrer threats
among the men here since the arrest of
Sergt. LearyY"
Gwynne hesitated, coloring painfully:
ut Is something hate to speak of. sir
The talk has not alarmed me In the
least"
II know that, sergeant. All the same
a v,a nj fN nro nt n srta ~ ant
performance, and it was that, mainly.
that brought me over here. l saw some
men stealing out of NJ troops quarters
awhile ago, and lost them in the dark
ness. thought they might be coming
over here, and--got here first"
Gwynne's face lighted up. It touched
him TO know his officers were on the
lookout for his safety.
II have heard nothing, sir. The men
would hardly be apt to speak to me on
the subject, since the affair Of the other
night. What fear is simply this--that
there is an element here in the regiment
that is determined to get down there to
the ranch and have satisfaction for the
assault that was made on you and your
party. They need horses in order to get
there and back between midnight and
reveilIe, and are doubtless Matching some
plan. They failed here; now they may
try the stables of some other troop or the
quartermaster's Shall warn the sem
try that there are providers out to-
night?"
''Not yet. They will hardly make the
attempt while your light is burning here
hof nh ,,,o& e.,
this: We all know that there is deep
sympathy for Leary in the command,
and it is not improbable that among the
Irishmcn there is corresponding feeling
against you. l don't like your being
here alone just now, for they know you
are almost the only witness against
him."
"Ihave thought of that, sir" answered
Gwynne, gravely, "but I want nothing
that looks like protection. The captain
has spoken of the matter to me, and he
agreed, sir, that it would do more harm
than good. There Is one thing would
ask-if may trouble the lieutenant"
'What is it, sergeant?"
"Ihave q little packet, containing some
papers and n trinket or two, that would
like very much to have kept safely, and.
if anything should happen to me, to
have you, sir, and Capt. Stryker open it,.
and-the letters there will explain every
thing that is to be done"
Certainly. l will take care of it for
you-if not too valuable"
"1would rather know it was with you,
sir, than stow it in the quartermasters
safe," was Gwynne's answer, as he
opened little wooden chest at the foot
of his bunk, and, after rummaging a
moment, drew forth parcel tied and
sealed. This he handed to the lieutenant.
''Now l will 60 back and notify the
officer of the guard Of what l have
seen," said Perry; land Iwant Nolan,
gaddled, over at my quarters right after
morning stables Will you see to ity"
81 will, sir, and thank you for your
kindness"
All was darkness, all silence and peace
as Perry retraced his steps and went
back to the garrison, carrying the little
packet in his hand. He went direct to
the guard house, and found Mr.. Graham
sulky over being disturbed in his snooze
by the sentry's challenge
"What the devil are you owling
around this time of night for?" was the
not unnatural question. 81 thought it
was the officer of tAe day. and nearly
broke my neck in l.urrying out here"
But Perry's brief recital Of the fact
that he had seen some men stealing out
of the quarters Of N troop in their stock
ing feet ora moccasins put an end to Ora.
har,'s Hactily ~ ~
the sergeant of the guard. he started out
to make the rounds Of his sentries, while
Perry carried his packet home, locked it
in his desk, and then returned to the
veranda to await developments.
Sergt. Gwynne, meantime, having
lighted his young officer to the stable
door, stood there few moments, look
ing over the silent garrison and listening
to the retreating footsteps. The sentry
came pacing along the front of the sta
bles, and brought his carbine down from
the shoulder as he dimly sighted the tall
figure; but, recognizing the stable ser.
scant as he came nearer, the ready chal.
lenge died on his lips.
81 thought heard somebody moving
around down here, sergeant 1t was
you, then, was.jtT'
IL have been moving around-inside
but made no noise. Have you heard
footsteps or voices?"
both, thought; but it's as black as
your hat on this beat tonight. | cant
see my hand afore my face"
keep your ears open, then; there are
men out from one of the quarters. at
least, and no telling what they are up to.
Who's in charge at the quartermaster' )
stables
"Sergt. Reilly, Of the infantry: some of
the fellows Were over having q littln