The Washington times., 1902-06-22

/. him. and, leaping on the table. rammed
back with roar of pain. Then, stand
ing still on the table, but not in front of
the hole. Acton began to converse with
the unknown outside.
Now. gentlemen" said he, gayly,
the first head thar shows itself will
get scalped."
Surrender cried two or three gruff
voices.
Ready ready! Step up, gentlemen.
ono at a time 20 be scalped," cried the
inperturbabe Acton.
Surrender, You there. and we II give
you quarter, il you turn the house over
to US" said the gruff voice again.
mo use to surrender, my dears.'
cried Acton, because the house is al
ready turned over to the flames"
Then We II shoot every soul of
you," cried another voice.
Shoot away, but do stick thy added
pate through and get scalped!''
There was short conference out
side, and then the SINNERS drew out
Of ear and gunshot.
Now to finish cur arrangements" !"
said Curtis, ccolly.
Aye. and in quick order, too, for the
house is burning down" and in truth
was in scme concern.
We'll, we meet as soon as possfble nj
No. 2 Broadway" said Acton.
Just So" replied 1. Curtis, you
know New York;"
Il 10"
Then take this pass and come to No.
as soon as possible. Acton and I go
together"
But what is No. 2? How are we to
get in?" asked Acton.
True. that is Important said /.
What shall VIC say Curtis?"
He hesitated a mornent. In the mean
time We could hear the cracking of the
flames mingled with the cries of the in
mates of the house. Finally he said.
slowly:
You will find an old woman there"
An cid woman?" we repeated.
''Tell her you have. come to meet Rob-
ert."
We are to meet Robert"
And my friends, if you have any re-
gard for me. question her sot at all;
out do as you say-wait for me-"
Now came Madam Holt rushing in.
CRYING that the house was falling about
our ears. Behind her was her crazed
husband.
Holt YOU say you have money here. 3"
said Curtis.
"1' l. money? no. not cent. as the
good God knows," screamed the frantic
man
Fear not. man. Go and fetch 1t and
We will make sor:ie and charge
through these men. There be but five
of them now
"oh. my house, my house. I'm dead,
I'm ruined" cried the distracted man,
clapping his hands to his head as he
hurried away.
"one word more" said Curtis. THAT
man who was killed IL the other room
is one OF the two we suspect. Mayhap
he carried dispatches"
He did" said ].
Then we may and must get them. :"
said Curtis.
'I have the papers here" and held
them up.
"Balfort." cried Acton. as the land
lord came rushing again into the now
lighted room. ''ye are certainly great
mani"
"And now" continued Curtis, as we
moved toward the door, each man save
himself; Acton with you, and l alone;
and we meet at No. q" We went from
the main room into the hall and found
it thick with smoke. All were there,
however. huddled together, the tavern
keeper, his wife, the boy, the soldier,
but the surviving messenger was gone.
And then several discharges of musket-
ry rang out in the night air.
cot is the end of him and like to be
of us soon" said the soldier grimly.
END OF whom" asked the trembling
landlord.
THAT Yankee that was with the man
that's dead in there. He bolted for the
woods"
Maybe he is dead. and maybe not"
said l. BE that as it may. we are
not dead yet. Master Holt. how far are
the woods from the rear of the house?'
Not a hundred yards" said the wife.
her husband being too paralyzed with
fear to reply.
"Set fire TO the chairs In the front
room to attract the SINNERS there. Then
to the woods and the village with all
of u.s."
Another discharge Of musketry sound
ed on the night air and we heard cheer.
The soldier jumped to the front door
and gave a loud whistle by placing his
finger to his mouth There was a reply
in an instant, and at the same time a
rapid scattering fire rang out along the
road.
'"T is over. friends!" cried the sol
dier. Here be the troop come back in
the nick of time
Now is our time, then" said I. quiet
w. TO Acton: and as the othrs went TO
the front rooms. we bolted from the
smoky hall. through the burning kitchen.
to the woOds.
Curtis had remained behind.
CHAPTER XVI