Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-09
CHAPTER TX.
In the Hands of the Enemy.

motionless Then l heard Bungay utter
a smothered oath, and knew he had wheel
ed about In the darkness. Unable to dis
tinguish the slightest outline of his fig
ure, l was yet impressed with the thought
that he was endeavoring to muffle the
girl, to prevent her uttering a second cry
lmpelled by this intuition / flung out my
arm hastily, and by rare good luck it
came in contact with his hand
None of that, you little curt 1 NUT
tered sternly, unmindful of his efforts to
break away. mo hand on her, mind you.
Mrs. Brennan. what does this mean?'
She made no attempt to answer, but 1
could hear her now cropping her way
through the darkness toward the place of
our entrance. Bungay detected the move
ment ALSO and made violent effort to
break loose from my grip, that he might
hurry after her.
You lit go O. me-" he cried excitedly,
"er, by goll, I'll use knife. She'll give
this whole thing away IL she ever gifts
out
For answer 1 hurled him backward with
all my strength and sprang after the flee
Ing woman. But l was already too late
to stop her, even had that been
my intention. With strength yielded
her by desperation, she thrust aside
the heavy cupboard and as the light swept
In, sprang forward into the rude shed
With another bound, gathering her skirts
as she ran, she was up the steps and had
burst into the outer room. A moment later
l also stood in the doorway, gazing upon a
scene that made my blood like fire
The fighting had evidently ceased sud-
denly with her first cry. Maria stood pant
ing in one corner, the deadly skillet again
in her hand her hair hanging in wisps
down her back. Still unconscious from the
stretched on the floor, his head barely miss
ing the hot ashes of the fireplace; while
his companion nursed his bruises and scowl-
ed from safe refuge behind the table The
unshaven faces of several others of the
gang were peering curiously In through the
open door. l know now l saw all thsS for
the picture of 1t Is upon the retina of mem
org, but at the moment everything 1 APP
peared to perceive or hear occurred In the
center of the room.
The man who had posed as the leader
stood there alone facing us, his expression
a strange mixture of amazement and de-
light He was a powerfully built man,
with keen gray eyes deeply set in their
sockets. His right hand rested heavily
upon the hilt of a cavalry saber, the scab-
bard of which was concealed beneath the
folds of the long brown coat he wore. AS
Mrs. Brennan burst through the doorway
he stepped eagerly forward his eyes bright
enng, and they met with clasped hands.
rs it possible-Edith?' he cried, as If
the recognition could scarcely be credited.
"Oh. Frank" she exclaimed, eagerly, lit
seems all too good to be true. How came
you here?'
Hunting after YOU my fair lady. Did
you suppose you could disappear as mys-
teriously as you did last night without my
being early on the trail? Have these people
injured you in any way?" And he glanced
about him with a threat in his gesture.
"Oh, no. Frank" hastily; every one has
been most kind. 1t was mere mistake.
But how strangely you are dressed how
very rough you look!'
He laughed. but still retained his warm
clasp of her hands.
mot the pomp and circumstance of glo-
rious war which you expected, girl?" he
asked lightly. But we have all sorts of
conditions to meet down here, and soon
learn in Rome to do as the Romans do
AS he finished speaking he perceived me
for the first time, and his face changed
instantly into cold sternness. 1 saw him
sweep one hasty glance around, as though
he suspected that might not be alone, and
his hand fell once more upon his sword
hilt, in posture suggestive of readiness for
action.
who have we here?' he asked, staring
al me in amazement. "A Johnny Reb?"
Whatever l am" I retorted, my gorge
rising suddenly at his contemptuous term,
and stepping out into the room before him,
II at least wear the uniform of my service
and rank, and not the nondescript garments
of a guerilla"
The scornful words stung him; 1 noticed
the quick flush of anger in his eyes, and
was not sorry. -s
you are insolent sir. Moreover, you
go too far, for as 1t chances you are we'll
within our lines, and we will see to what
a spy. The uniform of your service, in
deed!' he echoed holly, pointing as he
spoke across the room; that cavalry cloak
over yonder tells it's own story. Peters,
Steele, arrest This fellow"
Frank. don't do that she urged ear
nestly. You mistake; that was the cloak
1 wore.''
If he heard her he gave no sign.
Bind him. was the stern order. as the
two men advanced. use your belts If you
have nothing else handy"
Angry as l most assuredly was, swept
also by a new emotion which / did not in
the least comprehend. l yet fully realized
the utter helplessness of my position in
point of resistance. They were twenty to
one. However much l Hanged to grapple
with him who Knocked me, the very thought
escape lay in flight. To realize this was to
act. l leaped backward. trusting for
clear field in my rear, and an opportunity
to run lit, but the door by which / had
just entered was now closed and barred
Bungay had made sure his retreat. The
man, watching my every movement, with
sword half drawn in his hand, saw in
stantiy that I was securely trapped, and
laughed in scoEn. 4ti
You are not making war on women
now" he said with cutting sheer. You
will not find me so easy a victim
The taunt stung me. but more the tone
and manner of the speaker, and the hot
blood of youth east all caution to the winds.
With single spring, forgetful of my own
wound, I was at his throat dashed aside
his uplifted hand, and by the sheer audacity
of my sudden, unexpected onset, bore him
back crashing to the floor. He struggled
gamely, yet l possessed the advantage of
position, and would have punished him Sc
verely but for the dozen strong hands
which instantly laid hold upon me and
dragged me off, still fighting madly, al
though as helpless as a child.
My opponent instantly leaped to his feet
and started forward, dfawing revolver as
he came. His face was deathly white from
passion. and there was a look in his eyes
which told me he would be restrained now
by no rule of war. =
you cowardy spye' he. cried. and my
ears caught the sharp click as he drew
back the hammer. do you think l will
let that blow go unavenged?
II assuredly trust not" answered, gag
ing up at him from behind the gun muzzles
with which l was yet securely pinned to
the floor. but If you are, as am led to
believe a federal officer, with some pre-
tensions to being also a gentleman, and not
the outlaw your clothes proclaim, you will
at least permit me to stand upon my feet
and face you as a. MAD. II am spy. as
you seem inclined to claim, there are army
courts to try me; II not. then am your
equal In standing and rank. and / have
every right of prisoner OF war
This has become personal" hOarsely.
Your blow, as well as your connection
with the forcible abduction OF this young
lady. W hose legal pratorfor I am mt