Willmar tribune., 1899-07-26
CHAPTER IX.-CoNr1NuE,,.


upon him, showing him to be man Of but
medium height, though stout and pale of
face. His eyes were dark, his nose long
and slightly dished at the bridge The
mouth was sensual, and bespoke his char
acter at glance, though his face was by no
means coarse or weak. His brow was not
broad, but it was smooth and open, and his
brown hair, greatly ,puffed about his ears,
was tied into queue behind and profusely
powdered.
But he was not a striking figure despite the
gorgeous uniform of scarlet and gold
adorned with the waistcoat ribbon and bril-
liant star of his knightly order. Something
there was about him which impressed me
with the littleness of his nature, and there
was lurk in his side glances wholly in
compatible with an honest, fearless spirit.
Undoubtedly he was man proud of his
rank and power-a man much given to self
communion and silence. His official stand
ing was indicated by the single heavy epau-
let adjoining his right shoulder. His sword,
with its belt wrapped about it, he carried in
his hand.
Il declare, madam" he said, as he
Strengthened himself and walked to a hand
somely appointed table, on which he de-
posted his sword, you have braved the
storm and stolen march on me, as you
promised. Have you other charms to pit
against the terrors of tempest and earth
quake? You are the queen of graciousness
to thus honor me. Do You find Lounsbury
to your liking?" And as he pronounced
the name he recognized my presence by a
look and an almost imperceptibe bending
Of the head.
Now I protest, Sir Henry!" said Mrs.
Bade y, rising and affecting petulance as she
adjusted her costume. "You interrupted
me before had come to conclusions The
affair is none of my making, and l am
broken-hearted at its necessity. Oh, neces-
slty is such a dreadful worlds it not
Capt: Lounsbury? Really. Sir Henry, sup
posed You would not come for an hour yet
but, now that you are here, will leave YOU
to settle with the captain while look after
my rccreant ward. Sir Henry, feared
would have found her with you. All! Capt.
Lounsbury, ones children, be they ours by
law or nature, are such a trial-such trial!
When shall know of your decision, Sir
Henry? Then with an upward look and
clearly affected archncss, "You will honor
me tonight, will you not, Sir IIenry?"
What answer Clinton made never knew.
He held out his hand to her, the fall OF
lace from his cuff almost covering it, and
with step as unnatural as that in the
minuet escorted her into the hall, CLOSING
the door behind him.
He was not absent long had but time
to take in the details Of the elegantly fur
nishcd apartment, from its carved fireplace
behind the table to the carved casing of
the window overlooking the Hudson, when
he entered rather hastily, his face no
longer bearing its genial expression, and
with something of a busincss-lke air seated
himself at the table, motioning me to take
the chair opposite.
Before speaking he cast quick glances at
me, instantly removing his eye from mine as
he met my gaze, but Immediately returning
to the charge. Finally, he began quite
sharply: .'''
'sAre you Capt Lounsburye'
My heart leaped at the question, and I
pulled myself together with the firm in
tention Of laying violent hands on him if he
had discovered the fraud, but answered
quietly and with an answering look:
eyes, your excellcncy."
General Knyphausen has always vouched
for you, but you hardly appear the des-
perado I had been led to expect. Your
physique and carriage make you an excel
lent agent-if-you have subtlety behind"
His manner was unsuspicious, and this
relieved me. Bowing, answered:
Il have seen service, your excellency,
and have always rendered good account
Of myself"
$50 am told," he replied. "You are
remarkable man. You look and speak like
a gentleman, yet your record is shady, sir;
STILL" he put in hurriedly, II am not criti.
cising. War has its necessities. You read
the order given you yesterday?'
eyes, your excellency."
tion?''
eyes, your excellency"
He stopped as if perplexed, and passed his
band across his brow.
'You were not successful in your mission
to Norfolk! Why did you not report?"
''The party was out of reach" I ven
tured, hazarding the guess that he referred
to the kidnapping business. "But / made
amends later. have been i'll from wound"
/ continued, pointing to my sling, which
through all the excitement in leaving the
Kings Arms l had not forgotten.
"Will you undertake similar Grand
here in the city, and in connection with the
trip to Newport" he asked, looking at me
and then away.
"Ycs, your excellency, if it be feasible"
1T is feasible; it is easy, and you shall be
well rewarded. Have you money!"
mo, your excellency; have nothing but
my promise of prize money. am living on
the credit of that.''
Indeed! Have you the paper with you,
properly indorsed?"
For an answer took it from my pocket
and laid it before him, at the same time
realizing with start that the communica-
tion given to me the day before had been
left in my room in the hurry of escaping
from the tavern. He picked up the docu-
ment l laid before him, glanced at it, and
then, rising, went to bookcase, which on
being opened disclosed small strong box
This he unlocked, and taking from it several
rouleaux of coin laid them on the table.
You must have money; you cannot get
ready without it. You. will have many ex-
penses. Listen! shall not intrust you
with packet to General Pigot. The ven
ture is too hazardous. Tell him to hold
Newport to the last extremity, and I will
start to his sSrelief within two weeks l
shall also communicate with him by land"
He arose again, and clasping his hands
behind him walked up and down the floor.
l saw that the man was wishing to come to
point against which just then he was shy
4 ing, and, as time was an object to me, I
hoped to help him over the difficulty by
remarking: = st,at -
The matter OF the cruise is plain
enough, but your excellency limited at Sc
cret Instructions
.ss5 es, yes" he answered 1T was that I
referred tosa. moment since, He hesitated,
and then pointing to my arm, continued, 2
Perhaps your wound would cripple you
for active service 33T. 5sT. I. .5s5.