The Washington times., 1902-06-22

II am commissioned by Gen
eral Washington himself alone. Nc
other knows aught of the thing but YOU
two. IT is not even to be written down.
am to go to New York to do three
things, one is no more than piece OF
daring; the other two are of the graves'
Importance. One, if accomplished, may
save hundreds-thousands of lives"
And these you may not tell to us?'
asked Curtis. still in that low voice.
No, friend, not till we are on the
ground"
'Tis better so,'' said the same deep
sororous voice so unlike him eve
can be of no use to them as prisoners.
These commissions are not for one
you two and obtained your release"
And you did WELL said Curtis.
We'll, well, Rob, did I not say as
much ten minutes gomez" cried Ac-
ton. impatiently. There stands no
doubt or question; but where are We
! to meet?"
Where in the town must We go?''
asked Curtis, still pursuing his own
course.
.'All over the town, but especially at
No. Broadway"
There were two shots overhead at
this moment, and it may have been for
this reason that Curtis started so sud
cenly He made no reply at once, but
when he did, he said:
Impress this on your memory-No.
Broadway"
mo. 2 Broadway" said we together.
"Well, We are to meet there"
''You know the placer" 1 asked.
"Yes"
"You know New York, them" said I,
incautiously.
MY friend" said Curtis, "a moment
ago you asked US to accompany you to
New York to help you at the risk of
our lives, and told US we were not to
know the reason"
"And, my dear friend" said I, "neith-
er Acton nor I will ask why or how
you can help u.s.
''No. 2 Broadway, then, let it be. Now
as to getting there-but 1 think some
thing is happening in the next room"
AS Curtis spoke, shot had been fired
from the kitchen. and now came another
report from outside, and with it long,
low cry from the house. Almost imme-
diately someone yelled Fire! fire." and
ran into the hall. We stood an instant
and then, happening to be nearest, 1
ran through the taproom and thrust
open the kitchen door. A bright light
shining in the room, l had started to-
ward the fire, when / was checked by
the cry of man Immediately in front
of me. Another step and / had fallen
over him.
Here, joint" cried the wounded
man, I'm hit bad. join, cannot see
you. Take the papers and get out of
here. They must be delivered, Where
are you?" cried the man again, for
the other had run into the next room in
search of water for the fire. "The pa
pers, John" cried the dying man again,
lin the back-part-of my-shirt. Clin-
ton must have them-tomorrow. Take
'em-sure-I-" He had tried TO sit up,
hut now fell over into my arms.
took belt knife and ripped up the
back OF the mans coat, tearing off the
greater part Of the garment to make a
wad for his head. Twas scarcely done
when the other came back TO the room
row brightly lighted by the burning of
the window sash, and he and Curtis and
Acton ripped off the boards of the win
COW. A shot CT two came into the room,
but each man looked to it that he was
not in range Then OF a sudden the
stranger turned toward his companion
and caught nay eye as bent over him.
He is quite dead said /. as the
other approached; shot through the
head"
vt mo see" said he quickly, and.
pushing me aside. he began gcias
l1rou.,H each and every one of his
pockets, muttering the while to him
self.
.'The fire. mani" cried l. Let him
be now: he is better off than we" Then
the tavern-keeper appeared, bringing
water pals, and tho stranger took one.
Holt" said Curtis. stay here, and
we will return to the front Of the house.
IT is two to one they take this oppor- |