The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-06-16

plans of Notifications, but a spy
too, would risk everything for just such
Information.
Till that moment she had acted with
out reflection, impulsively, to put at rest
her mere fanciful alarm, but now,
frightened at, her own temerity, she
hurried out of the room. She wanted to
think.
Freneau's face, the impression she
had caught Of it as he left the house.
kept recurring with a strange familiar
ity. She knew she would soon remem-
Der where she had seen him.
At supper she mentioned none Of her
suspicious to her Uncle Philip. The old
dreamer was scarcely the sort Of ad-
wiser required at such a juncture. Only
some strong, practical, experienced man
would know how to deal with such a
situation.
The right sort of man came that even
ing, about o'clock. The moment Della
set eyes on him she knew she was 60
ing to tell him all about It, Unlettered
and lame though he was, Potts struck
her as much more of a man than any
of her available acquaintance.
Several pistol-shOts had sounded in
quick succession a short distance away
down Twelfth street, and Della, on hear
ing the racket, ran excitedly to the front
door. While she was standing there
peering out into the dark like other
residents of Clay street, familiar rag
ged figure hobbled unconcernedly in at
the gate.
How long you've neglected your les
sons" the girl exclaimed. why, it's
nearly two weeks!"
Yes, miss" replied Potts in his de-
liberate manner. II been torable busy"
What was that shooting a moment
ago? Did you learn?"
We'll, Winder hid a couple Of his pets
in a shed down thar, allowing to git a
Yank Seems as how he knowed the
Yank might come through that alley"
oh, was it-Grigg?"
Il reckon it was"
Did they get him?'
'Yes'm. Got a heap more'n they
wanted of him. One of EMS chawin'
dirt down thar yet"
Did you see the fghting?'
'Yes'm. Right pert little scrimmage."
And Grigg escaped?'
so fur; Thar was a patrol comm
along on the jump at the time. and they
uns Is arter him yet, 1 reckon"
Escaped again?'' The girl struck her
palms together with vexation. Isn't it
too bad! They say he was sent hero
President Davis
While talking the two had entered the
dining room and seated themselves at
their accustomed places, Della on one
side Of the table, Potts on the other,
with lighted candle between them AL
though no fire was burning on the
hearth, the closed room was warm
enough to be comfortable, for during
the past few days the January weather
had been mild and springlike.
Potts rested his elbow on the table.
propped his chin upon his fist and calm
~ regarded the girl. who was flushed
who told you," he drawled. that
Grigg aims to murder JEFF Davis?"
Everybody is saying So"
When everybody says a thing. It's
most gin'ally a lie.'
Don't you believe ttT
Nom. faint according to reason,
nohow. Thars a right smart of folks
hyar in Richmond that'd tackle that job
'thouten airy Yonk, If thar was enough
money in it,
It's true there are many who are
bitter against the President now. But
why else would that desperate be
hunting this neighborhood? Why else
would he keep coming though he must
be aware they are on the lookout? Do
you know; it's thought he must have
some hiding place up here?'
Her eyes dtlated; she drew nearer to
Potts. shuddering, and went on in
=
what would you say If l were to tell
you'll think Gngg himself may be
stopping under this very roof now?"
That's interestin'," said Potts with a
queer look.
do you remember that night last
summer at the Old Cold Harbor tav-
ern7"
miss
THE soldiers. you know. were after
Yankee spy"
They sure was.
And the spy proved to be a man who
had disguised himself as a Confederate
officer At supper l paid very little at
tention to his appearance. but after
wards. when I learned he was the spy,
tried to recall how he had looked. and
so charged my memory. I'm sure re-
call now how he looked. Now, listen.
brary room in there who strangely re-
minds me of that man. And he poses
as Confederate officer. He calls
himself Freneau. think that's the very
name the spy went under.
well, now" remarked Potts, rubbing
his hand across his projecting chin with
an air of surprise. He must've got
away agin, cause this amt the resum-
you said you saw the shooting to-
night" Della whispered. Did you really
see Grigg-the man himself? Were you
cfose enough to see what he looked
$50 close" Potts said musingly, we
mout "a been hit by the same bullet"
''Ob tell me what he looks like.
Just about my heft and size II l was
straightened up; a tolable youngish
loolin' man. and mighty spry on his
feet from the way he put out arter the
Ibid he have a dull, dark mustache?"
4 didn't see nary mustache. But
then-he was lookin' the same way l
And was he handsome?"
"Well-accordin' to taste" the soldier
smiled. Couldn't say as to that. amt
airy judge of looks as a lady wants
'em." AZ,
but did he wear a gray uniform
'Yes'm I'll swar to that"
Della clasped her hands and uttered a
little. excited cry:
'Oh. OH I'm afraid It's the very man
who took the room. What must do?
What must / do? How can / have him
cantured? He must be taken by sur
nrise for II he got wind Of II he would
surely murder us all. Tell me the best
way to capture this Grigg. You are the
very man to help me do 1t. You'll help
me. won't you?
you used good Judgment, miss, In
consultin' me-" the man answered, re-
garding her with his blue eyes, as hard
as glass. and letting no trace OF the
irony under his words appear In his ex-
preston. You couldn't "a called in
better help"
- -