The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-10-13
CHAPTER N\NN.
in WHICH l FIGHT THE DEVIL.

CHAPTER N\NN.
IN WHICH l FIGHT THE DEVIL.
WITH FIRE.
With the house guard for a guide l
found my host in IL boX-like den below
stairs; Il room With a writing table,
two chairs and a great iron slrong box
for its scanty furnishings.
The old man was sitting al the table
when ! looked in. his long nose buried
III a musty parchment deed. The light
from the single small window was none
too good, but it sufiiced to help him
recognize me at a glance, despite the
hussar uniform. In a twinklins he put
the breadth of the oaken table be
tween us, hurled the parchmen, deed
into the open strong box, CLAIMED to
the cover and gave a shrill alarm.
"Ho! Nou devils without, there.
Here he isl have him. Help. Muir
der"
The guard, a burly, bearded Darn
stadter. turned on his heel and stood
at attention in the doorway. looking
Stolidly for his orders, not to the shrill-
ing master of the house, but to the man
who wore Il uniform.
lis nausht." l said, speaking in
German. II mistakes me for "A rift
mais1cr Of The rebels. Nerstchen Sie?"
The soldier saluted, wheeled and van
ished; and ! sat down to wait Till the
old mans cutlery should pause for ack
of breath. When my nance came, !
said:
Calm yourself, MIR. Stair. You are in
no present danger greater Than which
you may bring upon yourself. Blot out
all the past, if you please, ana consider
me now as a member of Lord Corn
wallis military family seeking quar-
tiers in your house by my lords express
command"
quarters in my ~house?-ye'rc a
damned rebel spy" he cried, I'm de-
nounce We to my Lord for what We are.
no. We r~ascals, ! say"
'Peace!!" ] commanded Sternly; this
is but child's folly. No man in the Brit
lSh army would arrest me at your be
hest. Ring the bell and summon your
factor lawyer. l would nave a word
OF two in private with both of YOU"
He dropped into a chair, and ] could
see the sweat standing in great beads
on his wrinkled forehead.
ID Ne-d' ye mean to kill us both?''
he gasped.
Not if ! can help it. But some bet
ter understanding is needfui, and we
Will have it here INC now. once for all.
Will YOU ring, or shal r.
He made no move to reach the bell
cord, ana ! rang for him. a slinning
black boy came to the door. and seeing
that Mr.. Gilbert Stair was beyond Civ
ing the order, ! gave it myself.
Find Master Pengarvin and send
him here quickly. Tell him Nh. Stair
wants him.
There was a short interval of waiting
and then the lawyer came. Being but
a little wisp of a man, all ~nalignance
and no courage, he would have fled
when he saw me. But l caught him by
the collar and sent him Scurrying
around the table to keep his master
company.
NOW, then; how much or how little
have o two b!ahbed of the doings at
Appleby Hundred some weeks sincep''
] demanded. Speak out, and quick
ly.'
Twas the lawyer who obeyed. and
now he was the trapped rat to snap
biindly III despair.
You will hang higher thar Hanan
when the Dragons find YOU" he grit
ted out.
ION our information?'
"On mine and Mr.. Stairs"
"Yc lie!' shrjeked the miser. Il ,ell't
We to keep hands off. We bletherin lit
tie deevil, Ne,"
Never mind said /; whats done
is done. But it must be undone, and
that swiftly and thoroughly. Lie out
of it to Colonel Tarleton and the Others
as you will; Captain John Stuart and
the bGronet are not here to contradict
you and you are the only witnesses.
Knock together some story that will
hold water n lose nc time about it.
DC you understand?
Seeing he was not to be put to the
wall and spitted on the spot, the lawyer
himself.