Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-04

e.
ments slashed with knives, and left
in rags: drawers turned upside down
In search after jewels: the very cur
tsins torn from the windows. 1t wac
4 scene Of vandalism Of which vaga-
bonds alone would be guilty.
I stepped across the pile Of things
to the window, ~giancing out at the
still smouldering ruins Of the stable.
Whatever had occurred, neither the
lady nor Peter remained about the
house. OF this / was satisfied, yet
with the realization there came a sud.
den comprehension Of my W help
lsssness to be of any aid.
From the window where ! stood not
a house was visible. Just beyond the
orchard the roads forked, a well-trav-
eled branch circling TO the left, and
disappearing over the edge Of q hill.
As I traced 1t with my eyes a con-
siderable body Of mounted men sud
denly appeared on the summit. With
out fear that they could see me at that
distance | watched eagerly as they
trotted down the long slope. They
were plainly q squadron Of British
Dragons, their arms and c~ross-belts
shining In the sun, in spite Of the lust
kicked up by their horses hoofs.
! waited until convinced they were
coming to the house, before drawing
back out of sight. 1t was difficult to
decide what was best for me to do.
Should I wait, trusting to my rough
clothing, and pass myself u as a coun-
tryman, or take advantage of the brief
time left in which to escape? If !
esssyed the first choice I could e.
plain the situation, and start these
troopers on the trail; II not they might
fail to understand and ride on thought
lessly. What such q body of mounted
men were doing in the neighborhood
I could merely guess at-either they
were riding through to New York on
some matter OF importance, or else had
been sent put hurriedly to discover
what had become Of Delavan's fora,
gers. This superstition was the lore
likely, and they had taken the wrong
road, thus missing Grant and his men
in the darkness
The must have cut through the or
chard, leapinE the low fence, for l
heard the thud OF boofs wen as |
drew back into the upper hall. Then
a voice gave q sharp command.
Circle the men about the house,
Simmons. There 10 something wrong
here, and I saw a fellow at that upper
window as we came down the hill.
Move quick, nowl"
must face them, and went forward
to the head Of the stairs, anticipating
an easy explanation of my presence
within. Already quite a squad was in
side the front door bending over the
bodies and staring about c%uriously.
Pine Robbers, Ell, colonel?" said
one contemporary. THAT fellow has
%cutthroat written all over him. Don't
see any signs of our men here"
Queen Ranger lying back of the
stairs, sir" reported a soldier briefly;
Irish lookin' mug"
The man addressed as colonel, a
Ranger himself from his green uni.
form, looked up quickly and saw me.
He called out an order, and three or
four men sprang up the stairs, grasp
ing and leading me down. | made no
resistance, not realizing l was in any
danger. The colonel, q tall man with
gray mustache and goatee, II dark,
searching eyes, faced me aternly.
What are you doing here, sir7
fNopo~ nr.ot xnNt What Ioa. oil +hJo
meant" and he swept his hand about
In gesture.
+, II came along about thirty minutes
ago." ! explained, beginning to appre-
ciate my situation, from the suspicious
g~lanees cast at nae, and recalling how
disreputabls my appearance must be.
II found things just as they are now,
sir. There's been a fight and rob,
berry"
That's plain to be seen; are thess
all the bodies?"
eyes, sir. but the house is upside
down from end to end"
you saw no one7 No British sol
diers7"
shook my head, conscious OF the
fierce grip with which I was being
held. A couple OF the men dragged
out the body from behind the stairs,
and as the face came into the light,
the ~colonel's eye saw 1t. ] heard the
sharp breath expelled through his lips,
40 he stared down into those CHASTITY
features.
Good Lord! Mikei What in the
name of heaven does this meant He
was supposed to be with Claire!"
There must be some mistake,
Colonel Mortimer" insisted the other
of1cer gravsly. Perhaps we ian get
the truth out Of this pumpkin, if We
take tho lash to him."
understood In \ fash, and as swift.
Iy chose q course Of action. This
xray-headed colonel was her father,
and would serve her in this emergen.
cy without thought Of my own danger
Nc threat Of 4 whip would open my
lips, but memory would.
Come, you dosl" burst out the
colonel hercely. You know more than
you have told, Speak up. or wen skin
you alive"
Il will, Colonel Mortimer" I said.
looking him straight in the eyes. mot
because OF your threats, but because
l wish to serve you. Now ! know who
you are. and l will tell you all l know
about this whole affair"