The Irish standard., 1912-06-29
CHAPTER xxx,
I Run Across Eric.

! slept three hours, the dead sleel
Of sheer exhaustion, but felt refreshed
and strong when roughly aroused. Be
fore sunset I was across the river
where found my little squad of dra;
goons prepared for their nights ad,
venture. Arnold had kept his word,
the fresh horses being fine animals,
the ammunition in excess of oui
needs. Conroy was enthusiastic, and
somewhat loquacious, but cut hia
conversation off rather sharply, and
ordered the men into their saddles.
With brain clarified by sleep l real.
lied the importance of the work be-
fore us, and how imperfect my plans
were. could merely ride forth to
Elmhurst, hoping to pick up some
clew to aid me. AS we rode rapidly
along the deserted road leading to
Farrells I reviewed over and over
again every remembered detail, only
to conclude that must get hands on
Grant, and by threats, or any other
available means, compel him to con-
fess his part in the villainy. Dusk
settled about US, succeeded by night,
as we pressed steadily forward, the
men riding silently, the only sound
the thud Of hoofs, and the slight Jingle
Of accoutrements. As we passed the
black walls of Farrel's shop, re-
called the papers found in Grants
coat, and the reference in Fagin's note
to a rendezvous at Lone Tree. Prob.
ably that was the spot where the two
had been accustomed to meeting. II
true in the past, why not now as well?
Suddenly it occurred to me that It
was at place called Lone Tree that
the minute men had gathered for their
attack on Delavan's wagon train.
Gould this, by any possibility, be the
same spot? I drew my horse back
beside Conroy.
Ever heard Of a place called Lone
Tree?" asked quietly.
He rubbed his head thoughtfully.
mot just about here, sir. We
camped over east Of there once, may.
be year ago, down In hollow where.
there was one big tree standin' all
alone, kind of an odd-lookin' tree, sir,
and seems to me, the guide said the,
place was called something like that.
Say. Tom," to the nearest dragoon,,
do you remember that Lone Tree
where we camped whsE We were out
hunting Tarletonr' 49,.
'sure; in east Medford. There was
a farmhouse auoss on the side Of 4
hill. got some A1ttermilk there"
Wasn't that what the guide called
the place-Lone Tree?"
"Derned If know, sergeant. Don't
recollect hearin' the guide say any
thin bout that, but the woman at the
house told me her place was called
Lone Tree cottage-so reckon he
might"
This was chance worth trying.
I'VE will take the first turn to the
Jeff. and have look at the place." 1
said. "Conroy, you and Tom ride
ahead, and keep your eyes open"
We reached the hollow where tho
big tree stood, about midnight, but
found little reward. The house on
the hill had been burned to the
ground. Near the tree. however, We
discovered evidence Of recent camp
fires, one not yet cold. and apparently
there had been quite a body of men
camped there lately. Conroy manu-
featured torch, and secuted about.
finally reporting:
II don't know how many were here,
sir, altogether, but there was a lot a.
horses picketed over near the creek.
reckon the last of them didn't leave
until dark tonight, an they rode north:
toward the main road. There was
maybe dozen in that party"
We followed the general direction
the fellows seemed to have taken,
Conroy and l on foot. scanning the
trail by aid Of q pine knot The dust
lay thick on the clay road through
the cut, where we had charged the
foragers, and it was easy to see the
band had turned east. There was but;
one conclusion possible; If this was
Fagin's gang Of cutthroats, as / sus.
pected. then they were either return.
ing to their sand caves in Monmouth!
county after raid, or else were start;
Ing forth on some new project near,
at hand. Whichever was true, Elm
hurst lay in the direction taken. De-
termined to learn the truth, we
pressed forward, riding rapidly. yet
exercising the precaution Of keeping
two scouts we'll in advance. It must
have been nearly three o'clock when
we reached the summit of the low hill
within few hundred yards of the
house, and found the two scouts
awaiting US.
My first glance across the ravine
revealed the outlines of the house
above the low trees of the orchard.
All appeared peaceable enough, and I
felt sudden relief. There were lights
burning on the lower floor, streaming
through several windows, while up
stairs one window was ablaze. Late
as it was, this illumination was not
surprising. however, as the care of the
man would necessitate night
knh~