The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-06-13
cHAPrER xII.
i interview Peter

mind behind the mask. | began to
suspect some purpose in his play act
ing.
what is your name, my man?'
asked finally, made nervous eby his
silence.
"Peter Swanson, sir" humbly.
"Oh, Swede?"
"By ancestry only, sir, " he explained,
wiping his mouth with corner Of the
napkin, but not lifting his eyes from
the plate. "T is a hundred years since
we crossed the sea"
""And you've been good Kings men
ever since?"
He cooked one eye up at me.
TT would seem SO, sir"
"The fellow with the gray chin beard
was irish, was MT he?"
He might be, sir"
"a Swede, an Irishman, and an In
dian," / said musingly. "That makes
a nice combination for the Queens
Rangers. Come now, Peter, give me
the straight of all this"
He stopped with his fork in bit OF
meat, favoring me with another stare.
II think fail to comprehend, sir"
mo. you don't, you rascal" a bit Of
anger in my voice @Did you bring
this supper yourself. or were you sent
here?"
"Under orders, sir"
1.-THE lieutenant"
He bowed solemnly, and asked:
Would you object if smoked, sir Z"
Certainly not; only answer my
questions. Good heavens, man! do you
think am a log of wood? Act like a
human being. Who is the lieutenant?
"a Dragon, sir"
peter" | broke out, irritated be-
yond patience, Il have some reason to
believe you liar. But I'm going to
get the truth from you if have TO
choke it out"
eyes sir; very good, indeed, sir.
However, there would seem to be no
need of your resorting to such ex'
IRENE measures, sir"
"Then you will tell me what ] wish
to know?"
"It will afford me pleasure, sir"
Somehow could not rid myself OK
the suspicion that the fellow was se-
cretly laughing at me, yet his round
face was innocent and placid, his eyes
discreetly lowered.
"Then kindly inform me, first Of ALL
who this young lieutenant il"
Il fear, sir" solemnly, that ! may
have misinformed you when ! said
he was Dragon"
'Yes!" eagerly.
Il would correct my statement some
what-he is Light Dragon, sir"
In spite of my effort at self-control.
I swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter useless
ness Of such violence.
Nov, see here!" broke forth
fiercely. Have done with your play.
You are no soldier; | doubt II you
were ever on horses back until to-
night. And those fellows with you are
not Queens Rangers. I'll swear"
How do you know, STRIP he inter-
rupted gently. "Are you IL the army,
sir?e
"of coure I am" I cried, answering
without consideration.
Il thought SO. sir; although your
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
l ask which army?"
He had turned the tables most neat
", and glanced down over my rough
garments, awakening suddenly to the
knowledge that was also in mas
querade. To be sure / had one adj
vantage knew these men had been
part Of DeIavan's foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
THAT is not question intend an
swering to every ruf1an who stops me
on the highway" / returned shortly.
i wish to know what this outrage
means? / viii know, you wooden-head-
ed image! I was about my business
when the four OF you attacked me.
wasn't the man you were after at ali,
and yet am held prisoner, shut up
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
at is called 'Elmhurst, sir"
"Elmhurst? A country sestate?"
Yes, sir, one Of the old plantations"
Its name never heard. Where
is that precious neutenant?"
presume he is In bed, sir," and
Peter rose quietly to his feet, and be-
gan replacing the dishes on his tray.
Apparently there was not nervous
throh to his pulse, and he remained
bhssfully Indifferent to my presence.
stared helplessly at him. even words
falling me.