The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-05-18
! Interview Peter,

suspect some purpose in his play act
ing.
What Is your name, my man? ]
asked finally, made nervous by hi,
silence.
peter Swanson. sir" humbly.
ooh, a Sweden"
"By ancestry only, SIR" he explained
wiping his mouth with corner of the
napkin. but not lifting his eyes from
the plate. "T is hundred years since
we crossed the sea"
"And you've been good Kings mer
ever since?"
lie cooked one eye up at me.
at would seem so. SIR"
"The fellow with the gray chin beard
was Irish, was mt he?"
"He might be. sir"
"A Swede. an lrishman. and an In.
dian." said musingly. THAT makes
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"
"No, you don't, you rascal" a bit OF
anger in my voice. did you bring
this supper yourself, or were you sent
here?"
Under orJers. sir"
"The 1ieutcnant?"
He bowed solemnly, and asked:
would you object II smoked, sir?'
Certainly not; only answer my
questions. Good heavens. man! do you
think am log Of wood? Act like a
human being. Who is the lieutenant
"A Dragon, sir"
"Peter," broke out, irritated be
yond patience, II have some reason to
believe you liar. But I'm going ia
get the truth from you If have to
choke 1t out"
Eyes sir; very good, indeed. sir
However, there would seem to be no
need of your resorting to such ex
IRENE measures. sir"
"Thcn you will tell me what wish
to know"
at will afford mo pleasure, SIR
the suspicion that the fellow was Sc
cretly laughing at me, yet his round
face was innocent and placid. his eyes
discreeuy lowered.
"Then kindly inform me, first Of NIL
who this young lieutenant is"
II fear, sir" solemnly, that may
have misinformed you when said
he was Dragon"
"Yes!" eagerly.
81 would correct my statement some
what-he is Light Dragon, SIR"
In spite Of my effort Mt selfcontrol
l swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter useless
ness of such violence.
"Now, see here!" broke forth
flercely. "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, Ill swear"
GLOW do you know, sir?" he inter
rupted gently. Are you in the army
sir?"
"Of coure I am" I cried, answering
without consideration.
II thought so. sir; although your
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
l ask which army?"
He had turned the tables most neat.
ly, and glanced down over my rough
garments, awakening suddenly to the
knowledge that l was also in mas.
qucrade. To be sure had one ad.
vantage knew these men had been
part Of Delavan's foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
"That is not question intend an.
swering to every ruffian who stops me
on the highway" l returned shortly.
II wish to know what this outrage
means? will know, you wooden-head,
ed image! / was about my business
when the four of you attacked me.
wasn't the man you were after at all,
and yet I am held prisoner, shut up
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
at ia called 'Elmhurst,' sir"
"Elmhurst? A country estate?"
eyes. sir, one Of the old plantations"
cts a name l never heard. Where
is that precious lieutenant"
II 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 a nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
blissfully Indifferent to my presence.
l stared helplessly at him, even words
falling me.
"You refuse to inform me az to the
truth Of this AFFAIR."" faltered at last,
as he lifted his burden on one arm.
He turned stolid face my way.
II would seem so, sir. I have to
thank you for most delightful eve.
ming, sir. Your conversation has been
both instructive and entertaining.
However, sir. the hour is now late.
and I should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly, backing toward
the door, and sprang to my feet.
overtaken by sudden determination