The Springfield herald., 1912-12-06

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form is pass enough. wish to sec
| Colonel Mortimer at once-at once
There was pause, and then the same
voice, and | recognized 1t now as
| Grants beyond n doubt. "Ah, colonel
what in Gods name has happened
| here? | heard that you were out
hunting us at Farrell's blacksmith
shop. and came back as swiftly as
could ride. But | never suspected
this. Who were the miscreants?"
THAT is a question not yet an.
swered. Captain Grant" replied Nor.
timer slowly. 1T looks like The work
of Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow?"
"Ay," and from the mualed tone he
must have been bending over the body.
that is Tough Sims. lieutenant of
Red Fagin; there's one more devil
gone to hell. But when did the at
tack occur? We left here after dark.
and all was quiet enough then.
| Claire"
she was here. then? hardly be-
lieved it possible
Il talked with her-Quarreled with
her. indeed. Perhaps that was why
she refused to accompany us to Phila-
delphia. But what did you mean.
colonel, when you said you hardly be
lieved 1t possible she was here? Did
some one tell you?"
Yes: we caught a fellow in the
house when we arrived. He had no
time for escape-rough-look miscre-
ant, claiming to be a Continental We
have him under guard In the library"
He confessed to the whole story?"
Not n word; claimed to know moth
ing except that Claire was here. Said
he saw you. and then went away, not
getting back again until this morn
ing"
The fellow is a liar, colonel. Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out OF
his lips. Where did You say he was
in the library?"
| had barely time to 1ise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard, and :hen centered
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement. although noticed he took
a sudden step backward in the first
shock of surprise, his hand dropping
to the butt of a pistol in his belt.
by all the gods!" he exclaimed
sharply 'If it isn't the spy! I miss
the red jacket. but know the face
Mister Lieutenant ForteHque"
Major Lawrence. If you please"
returned quietly.
We'll not quarrel over the name
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you were a spy,
beneath the other leade- of banditti
I'll hang you with equal pleasure un-
der either" Suddenly hn seemed to
remember where we were, and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage
But first you'll explain wat you are
doing here at Elmhurst. - you know
whose home this is?"
Most assuredly." determined not to
his threats. 1T is the property OF
Colonel Mortimer. of tie Queens
Rangers"
"And-and you-you cspe here to
again see-the daughter" he ques-
toned, as though half resretting the
indiscretion of such a suspicion.
''Oh. no, captain; you do the lady
grave injustice. | came here q
Prisoner very much against my will
not even aware whose plantation this
was. had no suspicion that Mistress
Mortimer was outside Philadelphia
until overheard your conversation
with her"
Overheard! You! In Gods name,
where were you"
I'm this room; with both doors ajar
1t was impossible not to hear. You
spoke somewhat angrily. you may re-
member. not finding the lady as gra-
cious in her reception as expected"
The sarcasm in my tone stung him.
but the surprise was so great that he
could only rip out an oath.
Il thought you would have also en-
joyed swearing at that time" l con
tinued coolly, only you scarcely dared
venture so far. You had previously
hoasted to me OF your engagement 10
the lady. and It naturally was a sur
prise to observe how lovingly she
greeted you"
"Hell's acre!" he burst out. Did
the mink know you we're there?"
III you refer to Mistress Mortimer.
l presume she suspected 1t. AT least
she came to me shortly thereafter"
Then | understand better what
troubled the girl. But in Gods name!
how did you ever escape me? was
in every room of the house"
smiled pleasantly. There was
nothing for me to gain. or lose, by
goading him. yet it was rather enjoy
able.
THAT, of course, must naturally
refuse TO answer, captain. might
need to resort to the same methods
again"
There will be small chance of your
having opportunity. Mortimer will
hang you fast enough when tell my
tale. Don't look for mercy at his
hands. for he's prouder than Lucifer OF
his family honor"
He was out of the door, striding
down the hall, bent on carrying out
his purpose. ! heard his voice ask
Ing where the colonel was to be found; !;
then the guard closed the barrier be-
tween us. Very well; of the two,t
would rather leave nv fate IN MOrti-