The Glenwood post., 1912-10-19

Luck favored me, but, damn him, he
jumped into me like fighting cock,
struck me in the face, and 'taunted
me into meeting him there and then" 4"
Good boy! the right stuff, eh Sell
DOM"
II supposed it all bluff,' went on
Grant, paying no heed to the inter
rdption. although his cheeks flushed,
ion, and l had pricked him twice,
when the guard came up and separat-
ed us. At that the fellow took to his
heels, and by Cad! got away-swam
the Delaware, while we were beating
the west shore. The next saw of him
he was in command OF those ragamuf-
fins who attacked us out yonder. Now
he shows up here looting this house
on the trail of Red Fagin. I'd hang
him oiihand if it was me-"
Mortimer looked across at me ear
nestly, but with an expression of doubt
in his eyes. AS for myself l hardly
knew what to say or do. Grant had
no corroborative proof of his asser.
tions, unless l was returned to Phila.
delphia. l could emphatically deny
that l was the man, insist on my right
to a fair trial. But how could l ac.
count in any reasonable way for my
presence at Elmhurst, or even success.
fully sustain my claim to being a Con.
tinental officer. l could not tell
Colonel Mortimer that had been TAX.
en- prisoner by his daughter, masque.
rading as a lieutenant of dragons.
Apparently he knew nothing of this
escapade, and she would scarcely for.
give me for exposure; besides, for all
knew to the contrary, the girl might
have thus been attempting to serve
the colonies, and word of betrayal
might seriously injure our cause All
this flashed over me before Mortimer
spoke.
Have you any proofs, sir, that you
are an officer of Maxwell's brigade 2"
Not here" and l glanced down at
my rough clothing, "yet with a little
delay that could be easily ascer.
tained.''
"on what service are you in the
Jerseys?"
Il must decline to answer"
Were you in Philadelphia, wearing
British uniform three days ago?"
"If l should say no, it would be
merely my word against Captain
Grant-you would doubtless prefer to
believe him."
Grant whispered in his ear, the
colonel listening quietly.
Il am informed that you have al.
ready acknowledged being concealed
in this house yesterday"
Il have, SIR"
here"
Il was brought here-a prisoner"
What" in decided surprise. "Pris.
oner to whom?"
Il was captured by three men,
dressed as Queens Rangers, on a road
some miles to the west. They made
no explanation. although / have some
reason to believe l was mistaken for
another. l was held in strong room
in the basement overnight"
you were not there when searched
the house." broke in Grant hoarsely.
No." and I turned and smiled at
him. II had been brought upstairs be-
fore you arrived"
"Then you saw your captors by day.
light?"
1.-TWO Of them, yes-a man called
Peter, and an Irish fellow, with a chin
beard"
What" and Mortimer started for.
ward. Peter and Mike in uniform!
This is beyond belief. Were they
alone?"
They were apparently under the
orders of young lieutenant-the
same who had command Of Delavan's
advance guard. was unable to dis
tinguish the lads face"
"Delavan's advance guard!" and the
colonel turned toward Grant. "What
do you know about this, sir? Who
was he?"
The captain hesitated, shifting un-
easily on his feet.
Il do not know, sir" he explained
finally, driven to answer. 81 merely
had glimpse Of the boy when l first
joined the column. II thought ! REQ
ognized him, but was not sure"
who did you suppose him to be?'
Your son, Eric, SIR"
CHAPTER XIX.
Aoain the Cellar Room.