The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-08
PRIZE DETECTIVE STORIES, No. 80.

| smile OF contentment. "When he sends
this crowd TO do anything, / guess he'll
find we do II pretty sharp" be said, to
the grinning lieutenant.
'Say, they didn't stand that rush q
minute, did they?'' said the subaltern.
| Both officers were profoundly dusty in
their uniforms, and their faces were
soiled like those of two urchins.
Out in the grass behind them were three
tumbled and silent forms.
Presently the line moved forward again.
| The men went from tree 10 tree like
hunters stalking game. Some at the left
| OF the line f1red occasionally and those
at the right gazed curiously in that di-
rection. The men still breathed heavily
! from their scramble across the field.
O1 suden trooper halted and said
"Hellol there's a house!' Everyone
| paused. The men turned TO look at their
| leader.
The captain stretched his neck and
swung his head from side to side. "By
George, II is a housel" he said.
Through the wealth of leaves there
vaguely ioomed the form of large white
house. These troopers, brown faced from
many days OF campaigning, each feature
OF them telling OF their placid confidence
and courage, were stopped abruptly by
the appearance OF this house. There was
some subtle suggestion-some tale OF an
unknown thing which watched them
A rail fence girted wide lawn of tan
gled grass. Seven pines stood along a
driveway which led from two distant
posts OF vanished gate. The blue
clothed troopers moved forward until
they stood at the fence peering over it.
The captain put one hand on the TO D
rail and seemed TO be about to climb the
fence when suddenly he hesitated and
said IN low voice: "Watson, what do
you think OF it?''
The lieutenant stared at the house.
"Derned IL | know" he replied.
The captain pondered. II happened
that the whole company had turned a
gaze OF profound awe and doubt upon this
editce which confronted them. The men
we're very silent.
At last the captain swore ysnd said:
we are certainly pack OF fools. Derned
old deserted house hslting company OF
Union cavalry and making Us gspe like
babies. I"
'Yes. but there's neutrality-suspicious.
- insisted the subaltern in u half stam-
mer.
well, il there's ssomething-some-
thing in there. I'll get il out, - said the
captain. ''Send sharpe clean srouno 10
the other side with about twelve men, SO
we VIII sure bag your 'something-some-
thing, and In take few OF the boys
and md out what's in the damned old
thing"
de chose the nearest eight men for his
Lormlng party, as the Lieutenant
called u. After he had waited some min
utes Tor The others 10 get into position. he
SAID come ahead" 10 his eight men and
elm bec the fence.
Tie brighter light Of the tangled lawn
made hin suddenly feel tremendously APP
parent. and be wondered IL there
could BE some mystic thing in the house
which was regarding tins approach. His
men trudgec silently NJ bis back. They
stared az the windows and lost themselves
IN deep speculstions az 10 the proba bility
OF there being, perhaps, eyes behind the
blinds malignant eyes, piercing eyes.
Suddenly. corporal 10 the party gave
vent 10 starfiec exclamation. and half |
threw his csrbine into position. The.cap-
tain turned quickly and the corporal said:
II saw an arm move the blinds. An |
arm with a grey sleerei''
"Don't be a fool, Jones, now.n said /
the captain sharply.
II swear itp-began the corporal, but |
the captain silenced him.
When they arrived at the front OF the |
house the troopers paused, while the cap