Telegram-herald., 1890-02-14

feeling that seemed To deepen with every
say-the approaching court martial of
Sergt. Ieary aud OF Trooper Kelly.
As result Of his investigation. Capt
Strs ker had preferred charges against
these two men-the one for leading and
the other for being accessory 70 the as
sault on his stable sergeant. Gwynne
was still at tile hospital, though rapidly
recovering from his injuries Not q word
had he said that would implicste or ac-
cuse any man; but STRIKERS knowledge
Of his soldiers, and his clear insight into
human motive and character, were such
that lie had readily made up his mind as
10 the facts IN the case. He felt sure that
Leary and some Of the Celtic members If
his company had determined 10 90 down
10 Dunraven and "have II out with the
hated Britons who had 50 afTronted and
abused them the night Of Perry's visit
They knew they could not get their horses
by fair means, for Gwynne was above
suspicion. He was English, too, and
striving TO shield his countrymen from
the threatened vengeance. They there
fore determined. in collusion with Kelly,
to lure him outside the stables, bind and
gag him, get their horses, having once
rifed Gwynne Of the keys, ride down 10
the ranch, and, after having a Donny-
brook fair on the premises. get back 10
Rossiter in plenty of time for reveille and
stables No sentries were posted in such
a way as 10 interfere with them. and the
plan was feasible enough but for one
thing. Gwynne had made most gallant
and spirited resistance, had fought the
whole gang like tiger, and they had
been unable 10 overpower him before the
noise had attracted the attention of the
sergeant of the guard and some of the
men in quarters An effort, Of course,
was made 10 show that the assaulting
party were from without, but it was
futile, and STRIKERS cross-questioning
among the men had convinced them that
he knew all about the matter. There
was only one conclusion, therefore, that
Gwynne must have given them away"
as the troopers expressed it.
Despite the fact that he had been as
saulted and badly beaten, this was some
thing that few could overlook, and the
latent jealousy against the "cockney
sergeant" blazed into feeling Of deep
resentment Garrison sympathy was
with Leary and his fellows.
Thursday came, and Sergt. Gwynne
returned to light duty, though his face
was still bruised and discolored and he
wore a patch over one eye. He resumed
charge Of the stables in the afternoon.
after brief conversation with his cap
tain, and was experimenting the issue
of forage, when Perry entered TO inspect
the stalls Of his platoon. Nolan was
being led out by his groom at the mo-
ment, and pricked up his tapering ears
at sight Of his master and thrust his lean
muzzle 10 receive the caress of the hand
he knew so well. Perry stopped him
and carefully and critically examined
his knees, feeling down to the fetlocks
with searching fingers for the faintest
symptom Of knot or swelling IN The ten
dons that had played their part 50
thoroughly in the drama OF Monday
Satisfied, apparently, he rose and be
slowed a few hearty pats on the glossy
neck and shoulder, and then was sur
prised to find tho stable sergeant stand
ing close beside him and regarding both
him and horse with an expression that
arrested Perry's attention at once.
Feeling all right again. sergeant he
asked. thinking to recall the non com
e. -. l.r-
Almost. sir. I'm a trihe still yet
Anything wrong with Nolan. sir
Nothing. gave him rather tough
run the other day-had to risk the prai-
RE dog holes-aud, though felt no Jar
then. I've watched carefully ever since
10 see that be was not wreDched. Iwish
you would keep an eve on him too, viii
you'
There was no answer Perry had been
looking over Nolan Launches as he
spoke. ond once more turned to tho ser
relnt To his as'oni-lmcut. Gwynnes
lips were tvitchng and quiverinc. his
hands ordinarily hoii in the RIGID poee
Of the English .o-cxfcDded along
the thigh-woro clinching and working
neTvously, and something susriciouelv
like teas was creeping ont from under
the patch. Before Perry could recover
from his surprise the sergeant suddenly
recainod his self control. hastily raised
his hand u salute, esving something
half auicu.ate IN reply. and turned
sharply away. leaving bis lieutenant
.a vir1- ffnr him IN much ucruleyifv.