The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-08-16

~" III IhV GLldlOWy GflItd wa
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 II 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; I
would recognize the peculiar snarl Of
that voice In a 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 tesla
coward would cry out an alarm, sum-
nor the guard to his assistance. out,
II the fellows nerve only held, or II 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 | was.
80 ! have discovered you, have I!
Why did you fall to keep our appoint
ment withln?"
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 near to insinuate ! ran away,
sir?"
How else could | interpret it," I
questioned COolly, determined to taunt
him to action. Il waited where you
told me till was tired. Perhaps you
will oblige me by explaining your pur.
pose"
He muttered something, but without
comprehending its purport | went on
threateningly:
And l 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 a spy, and
you are one, you sneaking night rat.
You never waited for me in the par
lor; il you had you'd now be under ar
rest"
"Oh, SO that was the plan?"
Eyes, that was it, Mister Lieutenant
Fortesque."
We'll. Grant" I said sternly, i've
got Just n answer to make you. You
can call your guard, or you can fight
1t 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 I could
in the dark. You are an unmltigated
liar, sir" and with sudden sweep of
the arm l struck him with open hand.
Probably you will realize what that
means"
For an instant he remained so still
l doubted him, even held him cheap;
then the breath surged through his
clinched teeth in a mad oath. He
surged toward me, but my sword was
out, the steel blocking his advance.
"You-you actually mean fght?"
"Why not? Isn't that cause enough
II not l will furnish more"
81 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 fash Of his drawn
blade, and flung UP my own in guard.
wait; rot here, Captain" l insisted
quickly. We're far too nea your
watchful friends yonder; besides the
light is poor. Let's try our fortunes
beyond the pavilion. where it can be
simply mar to man."
He turned without a word, and l fol-
lowed, eager enough to have done
with the business. The stars cleaned
on the naked weapons held In u
hands, but we exchanged no words
until we had rounded the corner and
come forth into the open spnce be-
yond.
ITO Re CONTINTEDl