Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-06-27

ODDS ana ends. Iarrived finally &C tnes
opposite entrance. This door was
closed. int unlocked, opening Into the
narrow hall through which Miss Jean
had nrst conducted me into the house.
Ny heart bounded with emulation
% ] struck q match and recognized my
surroundings. The exit leading to the
garden was at my right. ana before
the lame died had my hand on the
latch. ! found the door securely lock.
ed, 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
mistaHng Judge Dunn's voice. HE
has no rights as a soldier. for hesis not
here In course Of duty. !"
What do you mean?r It was wo-
man who asked this. but not Miss
Denslow, and thought Of the judges
daughter
"He means" said some one else.
quickly breaking In as II impatient.
s'that this man came here as an out.
law Bill Daniels has returned I
don't know who he IS, and I 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' stan. but Daniels
spy, and I'm for treating him az such.
It was Donald he asked after, wasn't
It, JEAN"
Eyes the reply 50 low could bare
" hear. "but believe he Is what he
claimed to. be-
"Oh, you'd believe anything. I
haven't seen the fellow, but l under
stand he is young and good looking.
That makes virtue enough for a wo-
man. suppose he whispered some
sweet things to you also.'
He behaved like. a gentleman" the
voice grown stronger from indignation.
'tHe treated me with respect, which is
more than you seem inclined to do"
'Yod 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 quarreling
over" the Judges voice broke in Inn
patiently! Miss Jean has done her
full duty and needs no Gliding from
any OF us. Ii knew who this man
was and what brought him here could
decide his treatment mighty quick"
what would you do?"
''If he's a Yankee officer, turn him
over to Johnston as prisoner of war:
II he is a spy for Bill Daniels, hang
him to the nearest tree"
In the intense silence /, could dis.
tinguish the quick indrawing of breath.
murmur of gruff tones, and then a
womans voice.
Have him in here and let him make
answer for himself. Surely the three
of you arc not afraid of one man 2"
i heard q new. deeper voice speak.
did you say he was armed?"
HE carried two sretoivers in his
4 belt
Then we should go prepared. Have
ycu weapons with you. lieutenant?
No; they are in my room. will
run up and get them
Crouching behind the hatrack, I
| caught merely Il glimpse Of the mans
back as he raced up the circular stair
case three steps at a time. but he wore
short gray jacket and long caval-
| ry boots. well splashed with mud. Per-
haps could get upstairs before the
officer had secured his weapon and slip
| into some room having window. 1t
would not be much of drop to the
ground. turned to the right. circled
the head Of the stairs and opened the
| first door yielding to my touch. | took
q single step within and stopped as
helpless to move as though paralyzed,
one hand clutching my revolver, the
other still upon the knob Of the door.
4 stared at only one object-a motion
less body lying outstretched upon the
| floor.
could 1t be possible this was the
same officer who had just passed up
the stairs? lwould 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
.uM/,u
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