Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-04-30

Opened the Door Wider, Wondering
If Dare Venture Upon Stepping
by unobserved.
for being over jealous in my service
/ received you as soon as l knew who
you were"
Yes" somewhat Modified, II pre-
sumo that is true, although you are
chilly enough, the Lord knows. But
what brings you here?'
THAT must remain my secret, Cap
tain Grsnt-for the present.
ooh, very well. | thought 1t might
have some connection with Eric's pres
ence in this neighborhood."
With Eric! What do you meani
Have you seen him?"
"Ah! so I've got below the surface
at last! | thought might with that
thrust. Yes, l saw him last night. J
didn't know what the devil the fellow
was up to, but / thought I'd let him
play out his game. 1t was q right
nervy trick, SO far as it went, but un
fortunately the rebels came in before
l discovered what it all led up to-"
You do not make it very clear tt
me"
II told you it was not even clear tc
myself. This is all l know. When
joined Delavan last night just aftel
dark, he had a young officer of Light
Dragons in charge Of his advance
guard. merely got a glimpse of the
fellow as We rode in, and he looked
so deyilishly like Eric that | asked
Delavan who the lad was. He said he
had Joined at Mount Holly with three
men, vas going through to Philadel
,phia with dispatches from New York
and was only too glad of escort the
rest of the way. Being short of off
GERS Delavan gave him charge of the
van"
did he recognize your"
81 hardly think SO; it was pretty
dark, and l was put on guard over the
real wagons. l supposed l would have
ample opportunity to learn the truth
after it became daylight"
But you believed him to be Eric?"
Yes, and after the attack | was
convinced. He and the three men with
him bolted and got away. Must have
run at the first fire, for the fellows
had us completely hemmed in. 1t was
Eric all right, and that is about half
the reason why I led my men back
here-I wanted to find out if he was
hiding about the old place. Is it true
you haven't een him."
quite true; indeed I had no reason
to suppose him in the Jerseys at this
time"
Grant remained silent, probably not
wholly convinced that he was being
told the truth, and yet moi v~enturing
to state openly his suspicious. How
ever the other said no more, and final.
ly the Ranger felt compelled to an.
sWer
"Of course" he explained rather
lamely, Il couldn't altogether blame
you for %concealing the boy If he had
shown up here, but you will realize
that as a Kings officer l have a seri.
chS UutS W pSlIoI
"You would apprehend Eric? Would
betray him into British hands? Is
that your meaning, Captain Grant,"
What else could l do? Don't be
unreasonable! Boy as he is, no one in
all that crew of ragamufflns has done
us greater harm. Again and again he
has learned our secrets and brought
Washington information of our plans
How he does 1t is the mystery Of this
department-Howe has personally of
Surely you know that. Last night
thought we had him in our power, but
the very devil seems to protect him
from capture, eve when luck brings
him fairly within our grip"
And so you came here to search fol-
him?" l could feel the bitter scorr
in the voice. In his fathers home!"
g" certainly did," angrily. Il shall
search the house from cellar to sarre
before / leave"
But you are on parole"
Damn the parole. What do | carr
for a pledge given to a band Of plum
dering outlaws? And what do | carr
for Eric? He chose for himself, ant
has no right to expect any mercy from
me, and by all the gods, he'll receive
none. l half believe that attack las
night was his planning, and that nov
| you have him hidden away here. Nov
listen to mel l do not desire to b,
harsh. but I'm a soldier. My men ar,
not armed, but there are enough GU
there to handle the servants bare