Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-06
CHAPTER xII1.-continued.)

in consultation, Stannard, Mainwaring, |
Trusoott and llama, 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 i'm
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
o pass the very night before it happen
ed. Then Brady was sent for, and with
him came his conrade, still on leave
from Winthrop, Mr.. Rawson.
"You hear how completely Sergeant
Merriweather's antemortem statement
has cleared Hunter, gentlemen, said
Stannard. "Now, Isuppose, you are sat
isfed."
GAS to that point, major, yes, said
Mr.. Rawson, with preternatural sang
froid. "But understand you have Or
dered his release, and he is to come here
presently for his generation. Is that
sop
Certainly" growled stannard.
"What of it?"
"Well, first would ask the trooper
when he comes to say where he was at
the time of the robbery of the train. "
And Rawson's face beamed with the
consciousness of calm conviction of an
erring brothers. guilt
Stannard nodded brusquely. "Entire-
ly unnecessary, Mr.. Rawson," said he.
"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 glances
indicative of incredulity, but Rawson
then went on:
sin 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 IL not with the robbers. =
Stannard snorted derisively, 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 prepossessipg, was
nshered in and stood patiently at atten-
ton.
Stannard looked him carefully over
and said, "Did you bring that flask?'
to which the soldier calmly replied:
81 did, sir, rather unwillingly.
"Why unwillingly?"
Because, and here a quiet smile
Gickered over his face, sit is hardly 6
part of private soldiers equipment
But 1t has only been in my possession 6
few hours since my joining the regi
ment, and I've not had time to send i
away
Then Stannard turned in his chail
and glared at Brady and Rawson
SWELL, what do you wish to ask abou
this flask?"
Rawson rose deliberately. "First
that it be placed here on the table wher
all can see it; then that may be per
mitted to read this" And he unfolde,
newspaper.
Very coolly the soldier stepped for
ward and handed the handsome toy t
Stannard, who gazed admiringly at
and placed it in the full light Of th
lamps on the table Of the commandin
officer.
Then, clearing his throat, the lieuten
ant began:
"Anong the passengers arriving i
this city from the east today is Lor
Lunemouth, eldest son and heir of tn
Earl of Lancaster. Lord Lunemouth
travelling for his health and has bee
advised to seek the glorious climate {
California, but has met with unpleasar
experiences on the way. His train We
held up by desperadoes in Wyoming
the passengers were robbed and his pc
sonal losses consisted Of some 5000
cash. a superb watch and handsomj
silver topped flask, the arms Of his mob
house engraved on the stopper. The Ia
ter he valued as a keepsake. Here 70
lows, said Mr.. Rawson, "a descriptic
of the arms. Here" said he. lifting Il
flask, 'taIe the arms and motto of I'll
house of Lancaster, and now perhal
this gentleman, whom I perfectly we
remember seeing in very different atti
aboard the Pacific express the night
the collision, will explain how he can
into possession Of the missing flask
Lsrd LunemouthY'
Then Mainwaring's face was indet
sight to see, but the amaze deepene
broadened. almost overmastered hi
when, with perfect composure, Il
strange trooper replied:
with pleasure; though this is n
Lord Lunemouth ., but the mate to
Ii was given to me by m.smber Of t
house Of Lancaster months ago. Att
time of the train robbery 1t was not
my possession at all. For further info
nation on that head I must rsfer you
Major Mainwaring.
House of Lancaster be blowed
was thar veteran g explosive reply. :.