The Washington herald., 1909-10-26
Copyright 1908.
by the
BObbs-Afer1in Co

Certainly" said Jerry. Our prfs-
oner does not deny his Identity. II gives
us pleasure TO produce him"
At a nod from Col. Daubenspeck the
orderly at the door ran Off 20 where
Cooke and the prisoner waited.
In the interval there was a general ex-
change Of introductions at the bungalow
The adjutant general Of South Carolina
was IN a merry mood and began chat
hng Ardmore upon the deadly character
Of apples found In his orchard beyond
the Raccoon.
deeply regret" said Ardmore. rub
bing his chin. that the adjutant gen
eral OF North Carolina is suffering from
severe attack of paralysis agitans and
Will be unable 10 meet with US"
/ deplore the fact" replied the adju-
tant general of South Carolina, for one
OF our scouts picked UP a darby in the
highway while ago who had on a uni
form dress coat with the initials r.. G.
sewed in the pocket"
If you VIII return that garment TO me.
general" said Ardmore, "I will see that
1t reaches Col. Giilingwater by special
messenger. where. upon his couch of
pain, he chafes over his enforced alb
sence from the field OF danger"
Steps sounded on the veranda and all
rose as Cooke appeared IN the door.
leading HIS handcuffed prisoner. who
stood erect and glared at the company In
gloomy silence.
This man." said Ardmore. I'VE de-
clare to be Bill Applewelght, alias Po-
teet- ask you, sir''-he addressed the
prisoner-"to state whether you are not
known by one or both OF these names?'
The man nodded hts head and grumbled
reluctant affirmative
Prof. Griswold." Ardmore went on.
the gentleman in charge OF the prisoner
Is Roger Cooke, FOR many years in the
secret service Of the United States. He
now conducts a private agency and is in
my employ Mr.. Cooke, I will ask you
whether you identify this man as Apple
weight2"
There IS no doubt OF It whatever. I
have known him for years. I once ar
rested him for moonshining and ne serv-
ed a year in the penitentary as the re-
suit Of that arrest. You will pardon
me. SIR Cooke continued, addressing
Griswold directly, but this is undoubt-
edly the man you had yourself captured
at Mount NebO Church two nights ago.
but who was taken from you, as you
may not know, by Miss Geraldine Dan
gerfield. She was lost IN the woods and
came upon the captive. Guch 10 her own
surprise"
Griswold lifted his brows in amaze
ment and turned toward Jerry.
II that is the case, Miss Dangerneld.
l salute yOui 1 am sorry 20 confess.
however. that I did not myself see the
man who was captured by my friends at
the church. owing. Il appears. to Miss
Dangerheld's prompt and daring action.
and the regrettable cOwardice OF my men.
1 want 70 say TO you. gentlemen in all
frankness, that I am greatly astonished
at what you tell me. Our prisoner Is
about the same height as this man. has
the same slight stoop IN the shoulders.
and the same short beard but there the
resemblance ends
Ardmore was trying not 10 show too
plainly his joy az GriswoId's discontinue
None Of the South Carolina officers had
ever seen Appleweight. as they lived re-
mote from the scene Of his exploits. Hab-
ersham's men, who had so signally failed
in the descent upon Mount Nebo Church.
had taken 20 the woods on the appear
ance of the State soldiery along the Dor
der and could not be found 70 identify
the man seized at the house on the creek.
Habersham had discreetly declined to
support Griswold's venture at the last
moment; 20 do so would. he pleaded. ruin
his chances OF political preferment I'm
the future; or worse things might. IN
deed happen IL he countenanced and
supported the armed invasion OF North
Carolina by South Carolina militia. The
Jealous young militiamen who had cap
tured the stranger i'm the house on the
creek had pronounced the man Apple
weight, and theh statement had been ac-
was taken before Griswold 20 whom he
had stubbornly refused 70 make any
statement whatever.
Now that you cannot deny that we
have the real Appleweight," began Jerry.
who is, you must remember, a prisoner
Of the State OF South Carolina, and must
be returned 70 the Mingo County Jail at
once, ] think we may as well look at
your prisoner, Prof. Griswold. He NAV
be one Of Mr.. Appleweights associates
In business; but as we are interested
only I'm the chief culprit. the identity OF
the man you hold is Of very little inter
est TO us"
or" said Griswold. The IS not Apple,
weight, the original blown in the bot.
tie"
jug, If you please"' interposed Ard
more very seriously.
90, zen we don't care about him and I
sl, "A make you present OF him
or remarked Ardmore, 4 might
exchange him for a rufian I captured
myself down on the Raccoou. He seemed
quite insane declaring himself to be
the governor Of South Carolina. and 1
locked him up in a cOrnCrib for safe
keeping"
ANY man." said Jerry lifting her
chin slightly. who would impersonate
the governor OF South Carolina would.
beyond question. be uttery insane and
an object OF compassion. Prof. Griswold,
will you please produce your imaginary
Appleweight, as az this hour Mrs. Atch-
ison usually serves tea. Let US. there
fore. make haste
one Of Griswolds retinue ran off TO
summon the prisoner. who was guarded
by half a dozen soldiers near at hand.
The company in the bungalow were all
laughing heartily at some sally by the
adjutant general Of South Carolina who
insisted upon giving q light note to the
proceedings. when hurried footsteps
sounded on the veranda and a sergeant
appeared In the doorway and saluted.
The adjutant general, annoyed at being
interrupted in the telling OF a new story
frowned and babe the sergeant produce
his prisoner At once a man was thrust
into the room, a tall man. with a short.
dark beard and slightly STOPPING shoul-
ders. The strong light at his back made
II difficult for the people grouped about
the table to see his face clearly. but the
air somehow seemed charged with cleo
tricity, and all bent forward, straining
for sight Of the captive. As he stood
framed in the doorway his face was slow
ly disclosed TO them, and there appeared
70 be humorous twinkle in his eyes.
Before ony one spoke. he broke out in
hearty laugh. Then a cry rose piercingIy
In the quiet roma CRY Of amazement
from the lips OF Jerry Dangerfield who
had taken 4 step forward
"Oh. papa" she cried