The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-03
MY LADY OF DOUBT.
Continued from Page 10.


signs Of his presence; whatever had
subsequently happened between the
girl and himself, she had not felt jus
tilted in releasing me while he and
his men remained. They must have
departed soon after dark, well pro-
visioned. upon their long march toward
the Delaware, leaving Elmhurst unoc-
cupied except for its mistress and her
servants. The fact that neither the
lady nor Peter had opened the en-.
trance to the secret staircase would
seem to show that the attack on the
house must have followed swiftly. 1t
had been q surprise, giving those
within no chance to seek for refuge,
There had been struggle at the front
door; some Of the AssailAnts had
achieved entrance through the win,
dow, and that had practically ended
the affair.
But what had become Of Peter? OF
the girl4 Who composed the attack.
Tag partyf The Indian had been de-
spatched to Valley Forge with my
memoranda; probably Peter, the Irish.
man, and a negro or two were alone
left to defend the house. AS TO the
Identity Of the marauders, ! had small
doubt: their handiwork was too plain
y revealed, and those two dead men
remained as evidence. Rough as were
British and Hessian foragerH, they
were seldom guilty of such wanton de-
Eruction as this. Besides this was
the home of a prominent loyalist, pro-
tected from despoliation by high au-
thority. The hellish work must have
been accomplished by one or more
bands of those pine Robbers" who in
tested Monmouth county, Infamous
devils, hiding In caves among sand
hills, and coming forth to plumber and
rob. Pretending to be Tories, their
only purpose OF organization was pill
lage Even In the army the names
f their more prominent leaders were
known, such as Red Fagin, Debow,
West and Carter, and many a tale OF
horror regarding their depredations
had heard told around the campfire.
These came back to memory as
gaSed about those lower rooms, dread
ing my next discovery, half crazed to
think that Claire Mortimer might be
lelpless In their ruthless grasp. Bet.
Ter death thousand times than such
I fate.
pushed forward into the rooms Of
he lower floor. more than ever inn
pressed by their original magnificence.
Now, however, they were all confusion.
furniture broken and flung aside, walls
hacked, dishes smashed into frag-
nents. The scene was sickening in
It's evidence Of wanton hate. Yet l
'ound no more bodies, or proof Of
urther resistance In what must have
been Mistress Claire's private apart
nent ] stood with beating heart star
ing about at the ruin disclosed. The
arge closet had been swept clean, gar
ments slashed with knives, and left
IN rags; drawers turned upside down
IN search after jewels; the very cur
tains torn from the windows. 1t was
. scene Of vandalism Of which vaga-
bonds alone would be guilty.
I stepped across the pie Of things
30 the window, glancing out at the
Stin smouldering ruins Of the stable.
Whatever had occurred. neither the
lady nor Peter remained about the
iousa OF this was satisfied. yet
With the realization there came sud-
len comprehension Of my own help
essness to be of any aid.
From the window where stood not
house was visible. Just beyond the
orchard the roads forked, a well-trav-
lied branch circling to the left, and
disappearing over the edge Of a hill.
As ! traced It with my eyes a con-
siderable body Of mounted men sud-
ienly appeared on the summit. With
sut fear that they could see me at that
distance watched eagerly as they
srotted down the long slope. They
were plainly a squadron Of British
Dragons. their arms and cross-belts
shining In the sun, in spite Of the dust
licked up BY their horses hoofs.
waited until convinced they were
coming to the house, before drawing
back out OF sight It was difficult to
decide what was best for me to do.
Should wait, trusting to my rough
clothing, and pass myself o: as coun-
ryman, or take advantage Of the brief
dme left In which to escaped II
sssayed the first choice / could en-
plain the situation, and start these
troopers on the trail; If not they might
all to understand and ride on thought
tessly. What such body Of mounted
men were doing in the neighborhood
could merely guess at-either they
we're riding through to New York on
some matter Of importance, or else had
been sent out hurriedly to discover
What had become Of Delavan's fora
gers. This superstition was the more
dkely, and they had taken the wrong
road, thus missing Grant and his men
| n the darkness.
The must have cut through the or
.hard, leaping the low fence, for /
heard the thud OF hoofs even az
Drew back into the upper hall. Then
voice gave a sharp command
"Circle the men about the house.
Simmons. There Is something wrong
hare and saw a fellow at that INNER