The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-10


at heart must be loyalists.
THAT Ia not question | intend an
swering to every rufilan who stops me
on the highway" | returned shortlg
81 wish TO know what this outrage
means? | will know, you wooden-head-
ed inagcl was about my business
when the four of you attacked me.
wasn't the man you were after at all
and vet | am held prisoner, shut up
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
at is called 'Elmhurst.' sir"
"Elmhurst? A country estate?'
Eyes, sir, one Of the old plantations, .
Its name never heard. Where
is that precious leutenant?'
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 nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
blissfully indifferent to my presence,
l stared helplessly at him, even words
failing me.
"You refuse TO inform me as TO the
truth of this AFFAIR."" faltered at las
as he lifted his burden on one arm,
He turned a stolid face my way.
81 would seem so, sir have 10
thank you for a most delightful eve
| ming, sir. Your conversation has been
both instructive and entertalninG.
However sir, the hour is now late,
and should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly. backing towarl
the door, and sprang to my feet,
overtaken by sudden determination
to make break for freedom. There
was a slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door.
81 hardly think that would be advis-
able, sir" he warned softly. "The man
outside is armed, and in the excite
ment might hurt you"
There was a click of the lock, and
the heavy door swung open. | stood
motionless. tempted to spring, yet neC
daring the venture. Peter backed
maiestically out, and | caught a
glimpse of the graybeard, and tho
black outline of a pistol, Then the
4 door closed, leaving me alone The
| little scrap Of candle left sputterei
| feebly, and, after walking across tie
: floor a haf.dozen times, striving -
gain control OF my temper, | blew iC
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
was nothing | could do but wait for
/ morning; not a sound reached M
| from without, and, before | realized
| the possibility, | was fast asleep
| must have slept long and s0undly,
for when | finally awoke a CLEAN Of
sun lay the full length of the room,
| and food was upon the table. Some
! one-Peter, no doubt-had entered
and departed without arousing M.
Sleep had left me in pleasanter
frame of mind, and I ate heartils
wondering vaguely what the day would
disclose. determined one thing, tina
when Peter returned for the dishes,
| would back him into corner and
choke at least portion of the truth
| out of his unwilling throat. | had
hardly reached this decision when tho
| door opened, and he stood there gaz
ing at me with sphinx-like stupidity
| | arose to my feet, gripping the back
! of chair, but the utter vacancy in
| that face seemed to numb action
! There was no positive expression, NJ
! dim glimmer of interest In his fea'
! lures; the shining bald head alone
gave him grotesque appearance, re-
| straining me from violence. ! could
as easily have warred with a baby.
81 trust, sir, you slept well,' he said
soothingly, "and that the service il
| satisfactory"
I choked back my indignation, thu
quiet Difference Of his manner causine
| me to feel like brute.
Nothing could be added to my hap
piness," | answered, unless 1t might
be little information which you seem
disinclined to furnish"
He waved one hand, as though
brushing calmly aside some inagined
| insect.
"Disinclined? Oh, no, sir: there Is
nothing to conceal, sir, assure you.
"Then, for Gods sake, let 1t out Ct
your system, mani" burst forth in.
| patiently. Whom am | prisoner TOT
| What am held for? What sort OF
treatment Is this am receiving"
Peter bowed. without the tremor d
an eyelash.
do not mention 1t, sir" he muir
INJURED smoothly; I'VE are only toe
proud to have you as our guest al
Elmhurst. 1t has been very quiet here
now for some weeks, sir, and your
coming was welcome to US a1ln
could only stare at the fellow witt
open mouth, so dumbfounded as to b
speechless. OF all the idiots / hal
ever met he was the worst, or else
his acting was magnificent. To save
me was not certain which might b.
the correct guess. He continued III
stately solemnity:
IL trust there remains nothing more
you desire to learn sir? II not, ar
requested to conduct you to the Ii
brary. All, thank you. sir--this way
please"
He stood aside. statue.like, his eyes
! IoCEfuu IirartJ,y most rpa and uoipt or