The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-06-27

odds and ends. arrived finally n tne
opslosiie entrance. This door WAS
closed. but unlocked. opening into the
narrow hall through which Miss Jean
had first conducted NE into the house.
Ny heart bounded with eXultatioo
- I struck a match and recognized my
surroundings. The exi; leading to the
garden was at my right. and before
the fame died I had my hand on the
latch. ] found the door securely lock
I'd. the key gone. tested my strength
vainly against its solid panels: evident
~ must discover some other passage
leading out. and the only opportunity
would be found on the door above. !
overheard voices from the library.
But this isn't war There was no
mistakins Judge Dunn's voice. HE
has no rights as a soldier. for he Is NOT
here IN course of duty"
what do you mean:'' 1t was a NO.
man who asked this. but not Miss
Denslow. and thought OF the judges
daughter.
He MEANS" said some one elss.
quickly breaking in ms II impatient.
that this man came here as an out
law Bill Daniels has returned.
don't know who he is. and don't care.
but he's working with Daniels and
probably wearing that uniform merely
to gain entrance here. He's no mem
Der Of ROsecrans' staff. but Daniels
spy. and I'm for treating him as such.
1t was Donald he asked after. wasn't
1t. Jean:"
"Yes" the reply so low I could bare
~ hear. but I believe he IL what he
claimed to be-
"Oh. you'd believe anything.
haven't seen the fellow. but l under
stand he is young and good looking.
That makes virtue enough for wo-
man. I suppose he whispered some
sweet things to you also"
"He behaved like a gentleman" the
voice grown stronger from indignation.
HE treated me with respect, which ID
more than you seem inclined to do"
"You are extremely tender toward
Yankees since you rode OF with one
the other night"
II certainly have discovered that the
color of the uniform does not make the
man."
"What are you two Huarreling
over:" the judges voice broke in I'm
patiently. Miss Jean has done her
full duty and needs no chiding from
any OF u.s. IL knew who this man
was and what brought him here could
decide his treatment mighty quick"
What would you doy"
"If he's Yankee officer, turn him
over to Johnston us a prisoner Of war:
II he is spy for Bill Daniels, hang
him to the nearest tree"
In the intense silence could dis
tinguish the quick indrawing of breath.
mulinur of srun tones, and then a
womun's voice.
Have him in here and let him make
answer for himself. Surely the three
of you are not afraid of one MANI"
heard Il new. deeper voice speak.
did you say he was armed?"
"He carried two revolvers in his
belt"
''Then we should go prepared. Have
ycu weapons with you. lieutenant"
"No; they are in my room. l will
run up and get them"
Crouchng behind tho hatrack, I
caught merely Il glimpse of the mans
hack as he raced up the circular stair
case three steps ut Il time. but he wore
a short gray JACKET and long cay"-
ry boots. well splashed With mud Per-
haps could get upstairs before the
officer had secured his weapon and slip
into some room having Il window. II
would not be much of q drop to tin
ground. ! turned to the right circle!
the head of the stairs and opened the
first door yielding to my touch took
a single step within and stopped as
helpless to move us though paralyzel.
one hand clutching my revolver. the
other Still! upon the knob Of the door.
! stared at only one obicct-a motion
less body lying ontstretched upon the
floor.
Could it be possible this was the
same officer who had just passed up
the stairs! | would be connected with
the crime.
sprang forward. aroused to action
by the fear that gripped me and peer
ed out. AS leaned across the window