Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-27

made, or else he had left some men
behind? l dragged the body out into
the, light so might see the FACET
was the Irishman who had helped In
my capture.
stood staring down at him, and
about me into the dismantled room,
endeavoring to clear my brain and
figure all this out. 1t was not so diff
cult to conceive what had occurred,
every bit of evidence pointing to a
single conclusion. Grant had searched
the houee for Eric, and discovered no
signs Of his presence; whatever had
subsequently happened between the
girl and himself, sheChad not felt JUS
titled in releasing me while he and
his men remained. They must have
departed soon after dark, well pro-
yisloned, upon their long march toward
tn. . elaE.arel leaving Elmhurst pnoc..
| cupied except for its mistress and her
servants. The fact that neither the
lady nor Peter had opened the en-
trance to the secret staircase would
seem to show that the attack on the
house must have followed swiftly. 1t
had been surprise, giving those
within no chance to seek for refuge.
There had been struggle at the front
door; some Of the assailants had
achieved entrance through the win
dow, and that had practically ended
the affair.
But what had become of Peter? OF
the girl? Who composed the attack
ing party? The Indian had been de-
spatched to Valley Forge with my
memoranda; probably Peter, the Irish
man, and a negro or two were alone
left to defend the house. AS to the
identity of the marauders, had small
doubt; their handiwork was too plain
ly revealed. and those two dead men
remained as evidence. Rough as were
British and Hessian foragers, they
were seldom guilty Of such wanton de-
struction as this. Besides this was
the home Of a prominent loyalist, pro
tected from despoliation by high au'
thority. The hellish work must have
been accomplished by one or more
bands Of those "Pine Robbers" who In
tested Monmouth county, infamous
devils, hiding in caves among sand
hills. and coming forth to plumber and
rob. Pretending to be Tories, their
only purpose OF organization was pill
lage. Even in the army the names
Of their more prominent leaders were
known, such as Red Fagin, Debow
West and Carter, and many a tale oil
horror regarding their depredations
had heard told around the campfire
These came. back to memory as
gazed about those lower rooms, dread
ing my next discovery, half crazed to
think that Claire Mortimer might BE-
helpless In their ruthless grasp. Bet
ter death thousand times than such
fate.
pushed forward into the rooms Of
the lower floor, more than ever i'm
pressed by their original magnihcence
Now, however, they were all confusion
furniture broken and flung aside,,walli
hacked, dishes smashed into frag
ments. The scene was sickening, il
it's evidence Of wanton hate. Yet
found no more bodies, or proof o.
further resistance. In what must hav,
been Mistress Claire's private apart
ment | stood with beating heart star
ing about at the ruin disclosed. TIL,
large closet had been swept clean. gar
ments slashed with knives, and lef
in rags; drawers turned upside dow
In search after jewels; the very cur
tains torn from the windows. 1t wal
scene Of vandalism Of which vaga
bonds alone would be guilty.
/ stepped across the pile Of thing
/ to the window, glancing out at tn,
/ st!ll smoulderlng ruins of the stable
. Whatever had occurred, neither tn
lady nor Peter remained about tn
lcuse. or this l was satisfied, vel
With the realization there came SUD
, len comprehension of my own help
/ essness to be Of any aid.
} From the window where I stood no
. Z house was visible. Just beyond thu
/. orchard the roads foried, well-trav
lied branch olrcling 10 the left, ant
disappearing over the edge Of II hill