The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-08-17

observed. There was a guard stationed
before the stable door-a Grenadier.
from the outline of his hat-and 9TH
ers. little group. were sitting on the
grass a dozen feet away. II they had
not been already warned l might gain
a horse by boldness. but the probable
ity was that here was where Carter
had mounted his squad. and I would
merely walk forward into a trap.
had better chance the possibility that
some visitor had left a horse tied in
front. or to one of the stands. With
this possibility in mind turned. and
skirted the house, making myself as
inconspicuous as possible. There were
soldiers on the outside steps; | heard
their voices without seeing them. and
was thus driven to run swiftly across
an open space. memory guiding me
toward the opposite pavilion. Breath
less. with heart beating fast,
crouched low In the shadow, endeavor-
| ing to make out my more immediate
surroundings. There were no horses
. there. but | could clearly distinguish
| the stomping of restless hoofs some
where to the right. AS | Strengthened
up. determined upon discovering an
empty saddle If possible. the figure of
a man advanced toward me.
Hold on there, hold on!" he COM
manded shortly. who are you? What
the devil are you skulking about out
here for?"
| 1t was Grant beyond a doubt;
would recognize the peculiar snarl of
that voice in thousand. He had not
gone upstairs then; had not rejoined
the lady in the dining-room. What
would she think of his absence?
What would she do when she realized
its probable meaning? Someway l was
not frightened. at thus meeting him.
but glad-if those others would only
keep away, and let US settle the affair
between US. Here was his test-a
coward would cry out an alarm. sum-
mon the guard to his assistance. but.
if the fellows nerve only held, or If he
hated me badly enough, he'd fight 1t
out alone. All this came to me in a
flash, and the words of challenge
spoken before he even grasped the
thought of who l was.
80 | have discovered you, have /?
Why did you fail to keep our appoint
ment within?"
He drew up sharply with an oath.
peering at me through the dark, be-
wildered by my speech.
The spy! Ye-gods, what luck! Do
you mean to insnuate | ran away,
sir?"
How else could interpret it."
questioned coolly. determined to taunt
him to action. Il waited where you
told me till l was tired. Perhaps you
will oblige me by explaining your pur-
pose"
He muttered something, but without
comprehending its purport l went on
threateningly:
And | think you made use of the
word spy just now. Did you mistake
me for another?"
Mistake you? No; I'd know you in
hell" he burst forth, anger making his
voice tremble. Il called you spy. and
you are one. you sneaking night rat
You never waited for me in the par
lor; If you had you'd now be under ar
| rest"
"Oh, so that was the plan?"
"Yes, that was it, Mister Lieutenant
Fortesque.'
s"Well Grant" l said sternly, I've
got just one answer to make you. You
can call your guard. or you can fight
| it out with me here. Whichever you
choose will depend upon whether you
are a man, or a cur" l took a step
nearer, watching him as best l could
| in the dark. You are an unmitigated
| .;r uyith of
the arm struck him with open hand.
'Probably you will realize what that
| means"
| For an instant he remained so still
| / doubted him. even held him cheap;
then the breath surged through his
| clinched teeth in mad oath. He
surged toward me, but my sword was
out, the steel blocking his advance.
"You-you actually mean fight?"
"Why not? Isn't that cause enough?
If not I will furnish more"
Il do not fight spies"
stop! That silly charge is merely
an excuse. You do not believe it your
self. You wanted a quarrel yonder in
the ballroom. The expression of your
eyes was an insult. Don't evade now.
am here, wearing the uniform of the
British army. | have every right of a
gentleman, and you will cross swords.
or I'll brand you coward wherever
there is an English garrison"
| saw the sudden flash of his drawn
blade, and flung up my own in guard.
Wait; rot here. Captain" ! insisted
quickly. We're far too near your
watchful friends yonder; besides the
light is poor. Let's try our fortunes
beyond the pavilion, where it can be
simply man to man."
He turned without word. and I fol-
lowed, eager enough to have done
with the business. The stars cleaned
on the naked weapons held in our
hands. but we exchanged no words