Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-22
after all, is he a traitor2" the puzzled
Captain asked himself
CHAPTER X.
TIE LOVERS DARK FACE

CHAPTER X
THE LOVERS DARK FACE
@Griff, said Ratchet, in q voice scarce
above a whisper, and that trembled with
excitement, Il tell ye we don't dar' put
this on q mint longer. Let's 60 right in
thar, bring EN- out n hang en-.
No. no, Jack; you are too violent.
Violent Griff; thunder! don't they
hang spies2" asked the blacksmith.
Yes; but not until they are thoroughly
convinced they are spies.
Aiy all GrIhi amt ye thoroughly con-
vinced?" asked Jack, in establishment.
I'D like to know how much more We want
to convince ye that they are spies?"
They may be able to explain these
mysteries, Jack. 1 don't think it prudent
to deal sUmmaTily with men on mere sus,
picion."
Then, fur the Lord sake, what ye goin'
to do? Jest let 'em take US in an cut our
throats, an not make move to prevent
emp"
NO. Tt may be a good idea to question
them on this matter, and if We find that
they cannot make satisfactory answers to
our questions, put them under arrest.
Better put EN- under the ground,
Grill. 'TwOn't take no one to guard 'em
there.
For a moment the young commander
was silent, and then ne laid his hand on
Jacks shoulder and said:
Ola YOU ever near E16 BGOEy OF the man
who had q goose that laid golden egg
every day. Jack, and he killed the goose
to get all the eggs at once and found
none? We might do that ourselves. If
we should kill this mysterious gunner We
know that the AenOphOn could blow US
out OF existence. Let's put him under
arrest and make him sight the gun for US.
He has exhibited his skill and If he re-
! fuses to strike the ship with solid shot or
| she'll then it viii be time enough to string
! him up for nOn-p performance of duty, or
/ being traitor or spy"
The blacksmith and his companions as
sented, and with a guard armed with mus
{ kets, the Captain went to the door. He
! could hear the two deserters talking in a
4 low tone. He waited a moment trying to
! catch the drift of their conversation, but
| was unable to distinguish single Word
/ they said.
/ At last he raped lightly. Evidently
+ the men were very busily engaged for they
| did not hear him, and continued their
/ low, inaudible conversation, speaking but
| little above whispers. He raped again,
| louder than before. The voices became
/ silent and there was a confused rustling
/ sound as if they were alarmed or annoyed
/ at the Interference The Captain raped
| still louder and after moments hushed
whispering, footsteps were heard ap-
/ preaching the door.
The door was opened by the mysterious
gunner himself, and his face betrayed
| evident confusion when he discover ed
| the commander of the post confronting
/ him with half dozen armed men.
Come in, Captain Alton, said the de-
/ serter, after a short but awkward silence.
The Captain and two men stepped inside
| the house. What do you want, Captain?
/ I suppose you want to see us?"
Yes, Mr.. Burnett, I want to know what
this is, and the young commander held
| m the lie
The deserter of the Xenophon took il
in his hand, and, after a glance at it, an
sWered:
Its a rat-taiI file"
where did it come frOm?"
The deserter was confused for a mo-
ment, and then answered:
Il can't tell, 1 am sure, shlpmate."
We'll, Mr.. Burnett, 1 want to know
how you came with it?"
By this time Henry Dawes came for
ward and stood by his comrades side,
and their faces expressed blank amaze
ment, if not confusion.
Captain Alton, I must confess I'm of
my bearin's; can't ye give US the sound
ms? What dye meant"
81 meant want to know how you came
to have this rat-taiI file in your pos
session."
Il never had it in my possession
This man, pointing to Henry Small
the carpenter, saw the file fall from
your pocket"
The deserter was, beyond doubt, greatly
confused, and, after a moments hesita
} ton, he stammered:
q g-g-guess, shipmate, he was mis-
taken. L hope may never reef anOthe
sail, Cap'n, ef ever had that rat-tail fl
! in my hands"
"But I saw ye drap it, " put in the car
2 penter.
GyVl7o roS"
Jest as 'ye come in here the last time.
He was too much confused and annoyed
to make any response. 1t was really need
less to ask him if he had been out, for b.
, his acts he admitted he had. Henri
Dawes exchanged chances with Burnett
l and it was easy for one to imagine tina
they saw guilt expressed on their coun
tenances. After a few &lOments of aWk
ward silence, Burnett, who was the frs
Q to recover his possession, said:
al don't clearly see the lay o the land
Cap'n, but if I do, it seems to me tina
. you have come to think sOmethin' il
{ o. US.
Spies have been reported in camp.
, AHA! Your suspicious are aroused
too, are they, Cap'n? was jest going t
I warn you.
b Il thank you, sir. said Captain Alton
cOOlly, @but it seems from what am abb
d to gather that they we're detected tryin
a to spike the guns, They have bee
g traced from the guns to your door WheI
r you yourself were seen to drop the rat
t tail file, the very thing above all other
with which one might be expected to tn
o to spike a gun"
t Dawes could be restrained no longe.
and pulling his forelock respectfully, h
said:
"Begyer pardon, Cap'n, but dye thin
: we're saiIin' under false coIOrs?"
e do not know, but for the present 20
will have to consent to being prisoners.
Tar an 'Ounds, Cap'n, calculate
: Dawes. EFF we've come to regard as a
. suspicious crafts Jest take of yer embal
= 90. an We'lE WEIGH anchor and quit mort