Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-11-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
At Cross Purposes.

L
1t could not be considered an IN.
pleasant place of Imprisonment, yet
1t was useless for me to contrive any
plans of immediate escape, for the
door was securely locked, and two
heavily armed dragons sat within eye
ing me rather malevolently. My at
tempt at approaching the window was
instantly checked by a threatening
gesture, and / sat down in the reading
chair to await developments. They
could not muffle my ears, however,
and heard the swift hoofbeats of an
approaching horse being ridden furi-
oosly up the gravel driveway. At the
door he was hastily checked, and a
voice spoke peremptorily:
Here YOU, take the rein!"
The fellow came up the steps hur-
riedly. almost ignoring the sentry at
the door.
Il haven't time to stand here, you
fool" he exclaimed roughly, my uni
form is pass enough. l wish to see
Colonel Mortimer at once-at once. .
There was a pause, and then the same
voice, and l recognized 1t now as
Grants beyond doubt. "Ah, colonel,
what in Gods name has happened
here? ] heard that you were out
hunting US at Farrells blacksmith
shop, and came back as swiftly as /
could ride. But I never suspected
this. Who were the miscreants?"
That is question not yet an
swered, Captain Grant," replied Nor
timer slowly. at looks like the work
of Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow"
"Ay," and from the muffled tone he
must have been bending over the body,
that is Tough Sims, lieutenant of
Red Fagin; there's one more devil
gone to hell. But when did the at
tack occur? We left here after dark,
and all was quiet enough then.
Claire"
"She was here. then? hardly be-
lieved 1t possible"
Il talked with her-quarreled with
her. indeed. Perhaps that was why
she refused to accompany us 20 Phila-
delphta. But what did you mean,
colonel, when you said you hardly be-
lieved 1t possible she was here? Did
some one tell your
Yes; we caught a fellow in the
house when we arrived. He had no
time for escape-rough-lookin miscre-
| ant. claiming to be Continental. We
, have him under guard In the library"
HE confessed t9the whole story ?"
mot word; claimed to know moth
ing except that Claire was here. Said
he saw you. and then went away, not
getting back again until this morn
ing"
"The fellow is a liar, colonel. Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out of
his lips. Where did you say he was
in the library?"
! had barely time to rise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard, and then conferred
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement. although noticed he took
sudden step backward In the first
shock Of surprise, his hand dropping
to the butt of a pistol in his belt.
by all the gods!" he exclaimed
sharply. IF 1t isn't the spy! miss
the red jacket. but know the face,
Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."
Major Lawrence. IL you please" /
returned quietly.
Wen not quarrel over the name.
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you were a SPY,
beneath the other a leader OF banditti.
I'll hang you with equal pleasure un.
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember where we were, and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage
But first you'll explain what you are
doing here at Elmhurst. Do you know
whose home this is?''
Most assuredly," determined not &c
lose my temper, or to be moved BY
J his threats. 'It is the property OF
} Colonel Mortimer, of the Queen.
Rangers"
"And-and you-you came here Il
again see-the daughters" he CUES
toned, as though half regretting tn,
indiscretion of such suspicion.
ooh, no. captain; you do the lad,
a grave injustice. came here
prisoner. very much against nv win
not even aware whose plantation thi: