The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-04

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| "A fine place for a prison." replied stel-
fax. Well. there Is nothing here. so We
may as we'll go downstairs"
And they descended. meeting the party
coming in from searching the outside prem
Uses.
Not a sign Of any one. Captain" said the
Sergeant, but this man looks like q rebel.
so we have brought him with u.s." as he
pointed to Diggory. who was guarded b.
some soldiers.
I'VE did WELL" said Stelfax. Keep him
safely whilst We search the warmest nest.
Goodhouse. bring all the servants to the
Cedar Parlor. whittier We are going"
He entered the room a. he spoke. followed
by Mr.. Leigh and the trooper.
Neither OF the occupants had changed
their position. but Dorothy's face was ra-
diant. for had she not been communing
with the one who abideth faithful. and who
had whispered peace to her troubled
spirit?
She greeted Dame Trot with Q loving
smile. as she came in al the head of the
servants. and the dame would nave crossed
to the side of her young mistress. but she
was stopped by Mr.. Leigh.
You are here to answer our questions"
No Bd1u, EOt 10 tOnSOrt W1tn-dnem.
your name is Trotman. 1 believe. Do you
know whether the rebel sons of Mr.. Level
lis are hiding here? Speak the truth, vom-
an: It is at the peril of your life IL you de-
ceive us"
Y know my anne. master" replied the
old dame. firmly. land the widow of Ser
geant Trotman IS no traitor. ] trow. nave
not seen my masters sons since they left
hare fDraA n@n<I 100 - -.>A 49,
not come here unknown to me. I can say
no more"
Every servant. save Diggory, made the
same answer; he alone kept an obstinate ST.
lence.
Stelfax questioned him sharply. but to no
purpose. and at last decided he must remain
a prisoner for the present. and a. no one
seemed willing to give information, he |
asked Harris to tell what he knew.
Stand forth. Joseph Harris. and say
what thou knowest Of a secret hiding-place; |
where is it?'
There" replied the butler. pointing to
the bookcase. 1T opens with a spring. but
/ have been unable to find it."
You villain" said the Squire. You are
found out now. I knew both you and Mr..
Leigh had been looking for 1t. i give you
my word there Is no one there" he said. |
turning to Stelfax.
Open" said the Captain. land waste no
time"
Looking sternly at Harris, Mr.. Leyellis
touched the spring. and the bookcase fell
back. The soldiers entered the passage. fol-
lowed by the rest, save Harris. who re-
manned below.
They were hack in a few minutes, boiling
with rage. for evidently the room had not
been recently inhabited. and they had made |
so sure Of securing their prey. /
Where are they? ?" shouted Mr.. Leigh, as
they re-entered the parlor. Harris told me
they were in the hiding place, and now they
have escaped. ] will have the truth: where
are they he added. turning to Mr.. Leveliis
with an oath.
You dare insult a Leveiis,'' roared Dig
CORY, 'pitiful turncoat, as ye are" and be-
fore anyone could prevent 1t. Mr.. Leigh lay
senseless. felied by a heavy blow from the
gardeners FIST.
The soldiers bound Digsory with cords
and dragged him away. whilst MI. Leigh
was removed TO another room until he
should regain consciousness.
II am certain you know where the rebels
are" said Stelfax to Diggory. "and rs II Is
getting dark. I will give you till daybreak
to make up your mind to speak the truth:
IL you will not do 20. you. shall hang there
over the porch gable. as Q warning to 9TH
ers. mind. I keep my word"
You may hang me. an you WILL" was the
stout reply. but q follower Of Levellis can
not turn traitor"
Take him to the closet at the end Of the .
picture gallery" cried Stelfax. There II
neither window nor door to escape by. No
need to leave a guard II he II bound. he can
make his peace before he dies"
Diggory was dragged away, and Dorothy.
who was white with indignation. would
have spoken. but her father stayed her.
knoing II would do no good. and asked stel-
fax what further steps he intended taking.
II shall stay here for the present with
half the men. and search the neishbor-
hood" was the answer. " should be
now Of refreshments. and quarters for
the men"
Those who leave must take Master Leigh
and the butler with them replied the
Squire. Il will harbor no traitors under my
roof. Dorothy. tell Dame Trot to provide
refreshments In the hall. and see that there
are suitable chambers prepared for the
night; We have no more hiding -places. Cap
tain; and this room Is mine"
Captain Stelfax bowed; he hardly expected
TO be 50 courteously treated: he agreed to
Mr.. Leigh and Harris both leaving on the
morrow with the troopers. for to do him
justice. he had a great contempt for turn
coats. and would not be sorry TO part with
his confrers.
Dolly. in the meantime. had fown to
Dame Trot's domain. and found her very
concerned about Diggory's fate.
Leave him to me" said the girl. II have
an idea and I think I can work 1t out. No.
/ will have no shsrer in my plot. but Dig
CORY shall not suffer for his loyalty to US.
Let the men haze all that is needed. Dame
Trot."
Take M 49,. ,ba, dear heart: I vfY