The commonwealth., 1912-10-11
" HAVE.

form is pass enough, bWa gle
Colonel Mortimer at onqesIts bt'ce
There was pause, and dasS se gam
voice, and | recognized pay a
Grants beyond a doubt, ~ voIoneI
what in Gods name las shappenet
here? heard that yoli swere on
hunting us at Farrell'sf blacksmith
shop. and came back as swiftly as
could ride. But never suspected
this Who were the mIscreants?"
THAT is question not yet an
swered, Captain Grant" replied Nor
timer slowly. 1T looks like the wOrl
Of Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow"
"Ay," and from the mufTled tone ht
must have been bending over the body
that Is Tough Sims, a lieutenant Of
Red FaEin; there's one more devi
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
lieyed it possible"
Il talked with hcr--quarrelcd with
her, indeed Perhaps that was why
she refused to accompany us to Phila
delphIa. But what did you mean
colonel, when you said you hardly be,
Iieved It possible she was here? Did
some one tell yOu?"
Yes; we caught fellow in the
house when We arrived He had no
time for escape-Tough.looking miscre.
ant claiming to be Continental We
have him under guard In the library -
He confessed to the 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 liar, colonel. Let
me see him; III 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 centered
upon me. Instantly they bIa2ed 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. If you please" |
returned quietly,
wen not quarrel over the name
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you we're 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 assurCdly." determined not to
lose my temper, or to be moved by
his threats, 1T is the property Of
Colonel Mortimer. of the Queens
Rangers
"And--and you-you came here to
again see-the daughter2" he cues.
toned, as though half regretting the
indiscretion of such a suspicion.
oh, no, captain; you do the lady
a grave injustice. came here a
prisoner, very much against my will,
not even aware whose plantation this
was. had no suspicion that Mistress
Mortimer was outside Philadelphia
until ! overheard your conversation
with her"
"0verhenrd! You! In Gods name.
where were you"
In this room; with both doors siar
1t was impossible not to hear. You
spoke somewhat angrily, you may re.
member, not finding the lady as grn-
cions In her reception as expected"
The sarcasm in my tone stung him,
but the surprise was so great that he
could only rip out an oath.
Il thought you would have also en-.
joyed swearing at that time" con.
tInued coolly, only you scarcely dared
venture so far. You had previously
boasted to me of your engagement to
the lady, and It naturally was a sur.
prise TO observe how lovingly she
greeted you"
"Hell's aCre!" he burst out. Ibid
the mink know you we're the-e9"
III you refer to Mistress Mortimer
presume she suspected It. At least
she came to me shortly thereafter"
Then | understand better What
troubled the girl But, in Gods name
how did you ever escape me? | was
In every room Of the house"
smiled pleasantly. There wa:
nothing for me to gain, or lose, by
goadlng him. yet It was rather enjoy
able.
That, OF course. must naturally
refuse to answer, captain. I nigh
need TO resort to the same method,
| again"
There will be small chance OF YOU
having opportunity Mortimer viii
hang you fast enough when ! tell mi
tale. Don't look for mercy at biI
hands, for he's prouder than Lucifer o
his family honor"
He was out OF the door, stridinl
down the hall, bent on carrying ou
his purpose. heard his voice ask
ing where the colonel was to be found
then the guard closed the barrier be
tween US Very well; Of the two
would rather leave my fate to MORT