The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06

was supposed TO be with Claire!"
There must be some mistake
Colonel Mortimer" insisted the other
officer gravely. Perhaps We can get
the truth out of this pumpkin. if we
take the lash TO him."
| understood in a flash, and as swift
ly chose course of action. This
gray-headed colonel was her father
and would serve her in this emergen
cy without thought of my own danger
No threat of a whip would open my
lips, but memory would.
Come. you dog" burst out the
colonel fiercely. You know more than
you have told. Speak up. or We'll skin
you alive"
81 Will, Colonel Mortimer" l said
looking him straight in the eyes. Not
because of your threats. but because
| wish to serve you. Now know who
you are. and | will tell you all know
about this whole affair"
"Was-was my daughter here?" he
interrupted.
Yes. sir"
My God! And ErIc?"
Not to my knowledge-there was a
man called Peter. this fellow. and a
black slave or two. They were all |
saw"
But why should Claire have been
here" he asked rs though dazed. "un-
less she came to meet her brother? l
supposed her safe in the city"
81 do not pretend to understand the
cause of her presence. But If you
listen to my story perhaps you may
know what to do" paused an instant
to get a grip on my thoughts. | need
not tell ALL confess my identity. or
mention my personal relations with
the daughter. 81 am soldier. Colonel
Mortimer. in Maxwell's brigade of
Washington's army. What brought me
here has nothing TO do with the pres
ent story. | was in the fight over yon-
der near Mount Laurel night before
last when we captured Delavan's for
age train"
What" burst in the dragon Off
Ger. Was Delavan defeato,. then?
Hadn't Grant Joined him?"
Yes to both questions. sir Della
van was killed. and Grant surrendered
He and his men were paroled. and
started for Philadelphia last evening
from here"
From here!" incredulously. THAT
must be lie. colonel. for Mount Lau-
rel is between here and the city"
Nevertheless, 1t is no lie," re-
torted promptly. looking the young
fool in the eyes. 81 was hiding here
for reasons of my own when they
came tramping in along that road
about the middle of the forenoon yes
terday. There was near a hundred
Hessians and Rangers, with two Ger.
man officers, and Grant. / heard them
tell Mistress Mortimer this was the
nearest place where they were sure
of finding provisions, and that they in
tended to remain until night. ! don't
know what happened after that, ex-
cept that the officers went inside, and
the men marched around to the back
to eat their breakfast"
What became of you?"
"Oh, | had other business. and never
got back along here until just at day
light this morning. Then found
things this way"
You don't know what occurred,
them"
mo more than you do. But I've got
my opinion. It's this-Grant and his
fellows must have left as soon as it
was dark. taking the west road. which
was the cause of your missing them
1t is likely from this man Mikes body.
that your daughter and her party were
still in the house. II couldn't have
been much later when these others
got here and made the attack. Mike
must have fought them at the front
door. but that was all the fight made;
there's no sign of any struggle inside"
Then they never go? Claire" de-
clared Mortimer positively. That's a
certainty, Seldom"
She would have fought. sir?"
Like a tiger. | know my little girl
And. besides, Peter would have died
before the hand of one Of those vii
lains was ever laid upon her"
But" | protested. Il have searched
the house. colonel"
81 imagine your acquaintance with
the house is somewhat limited" he
replied coldly, turning away. Seldom.
place this fellow under guard in the
library here. We will learn later what
his business might be in the Jerseys" ."