Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11
Dious, had ordered Hunters arrest 40


pointed out to Mainwaring as they sat
in consultation, Stannard, Mainwaring,
Trusoott and Dana, in the adjutant's
office that night, Blake being still in
limbo, and Ray being excluded because
he had resented Mainwaring's refusal
to allow him All interview with his inn
prisoned trooper. 1t was pointed out
that Hunters enlistment occurred some
time previous to the train robbery, and
none present happened to think Of the
fact that he had asked for and obtained
q pass the very night before it happen
ed. Then Brady was sent for, and with
him came his comrade, still on leave
from Winthrop, Mr.. Rawson.
"You hear how completely Sergeant
Merriweather antemortem statement
has cleared Hunter, gentlemen, said
Stannard. Now, suppose, you are sat
isfied."
"As to that point, major, yes, said
Mr.. Rawson, with preternatural sang
froid. But I understand you have or
dered his release, and he is to come here
presently for his exoneration. Is that
SOP"
Certhlnly, BrOWleu Stannard.
"What of it!"
"Well, first ] would ask the trooper
when he comes to say where he was at
the timo of the robbery of the train. "
And Rawson's face beamed with the
consciousness Of calm conviction of an
I erring brothers. guilt
Stannard nodded brusquely. Entire.
10 Mr. Rax ha
THAT has already been settled. He has
witnesses in plenty-three, at least
here at the post or in town-to establish
where he was at that very time. He
spent that night and the morning fol-
lowing at the house of one Murray, a
| carpenter in Butte.
Brady and Rawson exchanged Chances
indicative of incredulity, but Rawson
then went on:
"In justice to my friend Mr.. Brady
and myself, ask that he be required,
then, to bring with him the silver top
ped flask the steward says he has there
in his room this very day and explain
where he was the morning of the train
robbery if not with the robbers"
Stannard snorted dersively, but sent
the order as requested, and just as the
first call WAS sounding for tattoo Troop
er Hunter, pallid, yet calm and self pos
sessed and decidedly prepossessng, was
ushered in and stood patiently at attop-
ton.
Stannard looked him carefully over
and said, Old you bring that flask"
to which the soldier calmly replied;
Il did, sir, rather unwilliugly."
"Why unwillingly?"
Because" and here quiet smile
flickered over his face, sit is hardly a
! part of private soldiers equipment.
But it has only been in my possession a
few hours since my joining the regi-
ment, and I've not had time to send it
away"
Then Stannard turned in his chair
and glared at Brady and Rawson.
well, what do you wish to ask about
this f1ask?"
Rawson rose deliberately. First,
that it be placed here on the table where
all can see it, then that 1 may be per
mitted to read this" And he unfolded
newspaper.
Very coolly the soldier stepped for.
ward and handed the handsome toy tc
Stannard, who gazed admiringly at il
and placed it in the full light of the
lamps on the table of the commanding
officer.
Then, clearing his throat, the lieuten.
ant began:
Among the passengers arriving in
this city from the east today is Lore
Lunemouth, eldest son and heir of the
Earl of Lancaster. Lord Lunemouth is
travelling for his health and has beer
advised to seek the glorious climate OF
California, but has met with unpleasant
experiences on the way. His train was
held up by desperadoes in Wyoming
the passengers were robbed and his per
sonal losses consisted of some 5000 il
cash. superb watch and a handsome
silver topped flask, the arms of his noble
house engraved on the stopper, The lat
ter he valued as "a keepsake. Here fol
lows, said Mr.. Rawson, "a description
of the arms. Here" said he, lifting thu
flask, "are the arms and motto of tn,
house of Lancaster, and now perhap
this gentleman, whom / perfectly wei
remember seeing in very different attir
aboard the Pacific express the night o
the collision, will explain how he cam
into possessi n of the missing flask o
Lsrd Lunem uuth?"
Then Manwaring's face was indeed
sight to sec, but the amaze deepen ed
broadened, almost overmastered hin
when. with perfect composure, tn
strange trooper replied:
with pleasure; though this is no
Lord Lunemouth's, but the mate to it
1t was given to me by member of tn
house of Lancaster months ago. AT tn
time Of the train robbery it was not il
my possession at all. For further infor
nation on that head must refer you t.
Major Mainwaring.
"House Of Lancaster be bowed =
was that veterans explosive reply. 81
was in my house right here at Ransom
at that very time. Say, Rawson, yo
and Brady haven't had any mors sens
in this matter than-I havei'
TO BE CONTINUED.
WHY HIS SUIT WAS REJECTED