The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-11-30

under shelter of the fence. even
though sentry was posted there. and
we could creep up TO the walls on the
opposite side unobserved. All we
needed to do was to advance with
caution. Whispering directions into
the ears Of the others, | moved for
ward slowly. Mortimer close to my
shoulder. | could see across the top
rail Of the fence. and the open space
beyond yielded no point Of concsal-
ment.
Tell me the rest OF your story" I
said, speaking softly. "as We go along
Where did Fagin take you?"
ITO sand cave: We rode \ night
and day to get there"
Treat you all right!"
We'll as he could, suppose. had
enough to eat. but was guarded close
ly, and the fellows were bit rough"
Did you gain no inkling of what
they were up to-"
No; the men l saw knew nothing.
or pretended not to- only saw Fagin
twice. Once he came to assure him
self that | was really myself. Some
body told him l was with Delavan In
fight over near Lone Tree"
That was your sister"
What! You don't mean 1t was
Claire?"
But l do. l CHANGED to be in that
affair myself, and saw her. Later she,
with three others-Peter. an Indian,
and an Irishman-captured me. mis-
taking me for some one else. and took
me to Elmhurst AS soon as she
learned my identity she acknowl-
edged her error But l have not
learned yet why she was with Della
van. or for whom she mistook me.
The lad drew in his breath sharp
ly. gripping me by the shoulder.
by the Lord Harry" he exclaimed
excitedly. There isn't another girl
in the Colonies who would have done
It, III bet | can explain. but even l
didn't think she would ever have the
nerve to perform such deed. | told
you left my papers there. forgot
them where l changed my clothes. You
see | came out wearing the uniform OF
a British dragoon lieutenant, and had
1t all planned out to Join Delavan. and
| BuIu6 MN lOWdIu hiiddClPhio WV
the Lone Tree road. Just before left
our camp at Valley Forge on this trip
received orders from Washington to
keep my eyes open for courier rid
ing from Philadelphia to New York
with Clinton's plans Of evacuation
Hamilton seemed to know all about
this, and sent me special instructions
I talked of 1t with Claire, planned how
was going to waylay him, and to
gether we fixed up those servants al
soldiers to help me carry out the de
ception."
He paused. chuckling, and halted
eager to learn the rest.
And when you disappeared; when
perhaps, she heard Of your capture
or suspected 1t. she assumed the dis
carded uniform and went forth In
your stead
That's it, Lawrence. She would
If she thought it was right; If she be
lieved such an act necessary to save
my reputation, I'll bet she found the
papers in my pocket. and mistook you
for Clinton's dispatch bearer"
There Is no doubt Of It," l said SO
| DeTly. Anu lhdl "doh I nii ohC Nie
to protect you 1t was the talk Al
Lees headquarters that you had de
serted. She stamped that a lie. by
riding into our lines day before yes
terday. bringing an exact report oil
where Clinton was marching. l didn't
see her. but | heard all about It, and
you get the credit. Washington told
me with his own lips, and granted her
permission to remove your father, who
was badly wounded, to Elmhurst."
Good God! Are they here now?'
They must have reached here early
yesterday morning. l passed them or
the road at ten o'clock. Grant had
just joined their party. claiming to
be hunting after deserters.
He clung to the fence rail. staring
out toward the house.
Grant! Do you know, believe
that fellow is at the bottom OF this
whole affair He's in love with Claire
and-and he's working some scheme
to gain power over her."
Several schemes. l think" | re
turned heartily 1--WE nipped two Of
them in the bud already. Someway
| Mortimer, ne got possessloH VI thos<
instructions you received from Wash
ington and Hamilton. l ran into him
over there on the lawn. back Of the
summer-house He was threatening
Claire, trying to drive her into mar
rying him ofYhand. We had bit OF 6
fight, and l got the best Of 1t. Wher
I left-I wore his coat, and later found
YOUR papers in his pocket. Do yol
remember how they were addressed? ?
He shook his head.
Simply Mortimer 1t occurred te
me he could turn them over to Clin
ton. accuse the colonel Of treason, ant
share in the confiscation of this es
tate, or else hold them as threat
over your sister l burned them"