The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-06-11
CHAPTER XIII.
A New Combination,


My first thought was that this must
prove trap, and drew hastily back
behind the curtain, believing myself
justified in an effort at escape. Surely,
under such conditions, my word Of
parole to Peter had no binding force.
Yet | waited long enough to glance
forth again. The advancing body was
less than hundred strong, Queens
Rangers and Hessians, from their uni
forms, struggling along on foot. limp
ing. dusty and without arms. These
must be the remnant of Delavan's
command, released by their guard Of
partisans, and now YEARLY seeking
refuge. But why were they coming
here? Surely this was not the Phila.
delphia road?
They turned In upon the open lawn
in front of the door, and could plain,
ly distinguish the faces. There could
no longer be any doubt but what these
were the men we h-d fought and de-
feated the evening before Grant, with
the two Hessian officers, was in adj
toward the house, while the majority
OF his following flung themselves at
full length on the ground, as though
utterly exhausted. Some strange fas-
cination held me motionless, watching
the man climb the front steps. The
iron knocker rang loudly twice before
there came any response from with
In. Then | could hear voices, but the
words reaching me were detached, and
without definite meaning. Finally tho
along the hall, beyond the room in
which waited. Then Peters voice
said solemnly, as IL announcing a dis.
tinguished guest:
Captain Alfred Grant,"
There was an exclamation of sur
prise, a quick exchange of sentences
indistinguishable. although | was sure
Of Grants peculiar accent, and the
other voice was that Of the young
light Dragon lieutenant, Uncertain
what best to do / stole toward the
door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out, for | dare
not venture to use the window which
was In plain view of those soldiers
resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not, | possessed no
means Of knowing, yet ! opened the
door silently bare inch to make sure.
AT the same instant my ears caught
the lieutenant's Diminishing order, even
as my eyes had glimpse Of Swanson'a
broad back blocking the open doorway
of a room nearly opposite.
THAT will do, Peter, for the present.
Have the table prepared for three
guests at once"
He backed out, casting a quick
glance of caution in my direction, and
disappeared down the hall. rubbing his
bald head industriously. | opened the
door wider, wondering II | dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobservdi.
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud
enough to be easily heard:
"How did we come here? Why,
where else could we go? The damned
rebels stripped us clean; we had to
have food. This was the nearest
place where we were certain OF getting
any. or course didn't know our
foragers had left Elmhurst alone, and
that--for some cause which mystifles
Clinton--these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerate There was
plenty to be had here, and meant to
have It In spite of the servants"
"You must have marched straight
past your own place" the boyish voice
interrupted.
"Well, what II we did. There was
nothing there, as you know. The
house has been stripped to a mere
she'll Not niger left, nor horse.
I'd like to know what influence keeps
this property untouched"
That's easily answered. You forget
we are divided family, with fighting
men on either side"
Little these outlaws care for that"
AT least they appear to, as we re-
main unmolested. There has not been