The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-05
CHAPTER NyNv.
In which 1 Fight the Devil With Fire.

With the house guard for guide found
my host in boN-iike den below stairs; a
room with writins-table. two chairs and
= great iron stronsbox for lis scanty fur
nishins<.
The old man was sitting at the table when
looked in. his long nose buried in a rnusty
parchment deed The light from the single
small window was none too good but IL
suiticed to help him recognize me at a
glance despite the hussar uniform. In a
tW!nkIing ne put the breadth OF the oaken
table between Us. hurled the parchment
deed into the open stronghold. slammed to
the cover and gave ShriIl alarm.
'Ho, you devils without there, Here he
isl have him. Help, MURDER
The guard. a burly. bearded Darms-adter.
turned on his heel and stood at attention in
the doorway. looking s:olidIv for his orders.
not 20 the stirling master Of the house. but
to the man who wore uniform.
Ills nausht." said. speaking in
German He mistakes NE for rittmsister
Of the rebels. Versreheu Sie?H
The soldier saluted. wheeled and vanished:
and I sat down 70 walt Till the old man
outcry should pause for lack Of breath.
When my chance came. said:
Cain yourself. Mr. Stair You are in no
present danger greater than that which you
may bring upon yourself. Blot out all the
past. If you please. and consider me now as
4 member Of Lord CornwaIIis's military
family seeking quarters in your house by
my Lords express command
Quarters in my house?-ye're damned
rebel spy he cried TN denounce W, to
my Lord for what ye ara. Ho. We rascals
1 say.
Peace" I commanded. sternly: this is
but chiii's folly. No man in the British
army would arrest me at your behest. Ring
the bed and summon your factor lawyer.
would have word or Two in private with
both Of you"
He dropped into a chair. and could see
the sweat standing in great beads on his
! wrinkl=d forehead
ID ye-d' ye mean to kill US both?" he
gasped.
Not IL I can help 1T. But some better
understanding Is needtul and We will have
it here and now, once for all. VIII you
ring, or shall I:''
He made no move to rsach the hellcord.
and I rang for 1im- 4 srinnins black boy
| came to the door and seeing that Mr.. Gill
bert Stair was beyond giving the order I
gave It myself.
Find Master Pengravin and send hin,
! here quickly. Tel him NJ. Stair wants
/ him
! There was a short interval OF waiting and
: then the LAWYER came Being but little
} wisp Of a man. all malignance and no
/ courage. he would have fed when he saw
! me But I caught him b the collar and
I sert him sctIr-yirr around the table TO keep
! his master company.
| Now. then. how much or how little have
| you two blabbei OF the doing at Appleby
| Hundred some weeks since%' I demanded.
! Speak out. and quickly"
| Twas the lawyer who obeyed. and now
| he was the trapped rat TO snap blindIy in
| despair
You will hang higher than Haman when
the dragons find you he gritted out
| On your information7-'
| ION mine and Nj Stairs"
! '{e lie shrieked the miser. II :eirt ye
| 70 keep hand off. We bletherin' little deevil,
| yer'
! Never mind" said I: what's done is
f, done. But IL must be undone and tina,
| swiftly and thoroughly Lie out Of IL u
| Colonel TarIeton and the others as you
| will: Captain John Stuart and the baronet
I are not here to contradict you. and you are
| the only witnesses. Knock together some
| story that will hold water ard lose no time
| about it, Do you understand?
Seeing he was not to be put to the wall
and spttted on the spot. the lawyer re-
> covered himself.