Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-13

we crossed the sea-"
"And you've been good Kings men
ever since?"
He cooked one eye up at me.
ut would seem so, SIR"
"The fellow with the gray chin beard
was Irish, was MT he?"
"He might be, sir"
"a Swede, an Irishman, and an In
dian," | said musingly. THAT makes
a nice combination for the Queens
Rangers. Come now, Peter, give me
the straight Of all this"
He stopped with his fork in a bit Of
meat, favoring me with another stare.
81 think | fail to comprehend, sir"
mo, you don't, you rascal" bit of
anger in my voice. did you bring
this supper yourself, or were you sent
here"
Under orders, sir"
"The lieutenant"
He bowed solemnly, and asked:
would you object if smoked, sir?"
Certainly not; only answer my
questions Good heavens, man! do you
think I am a log of wood? Act like a
human being. Who is the lieutenant"
"a Dragon, sir"
"Peter," / broke out, irritated be-
yond patience, 81 have some reason to
believe you liar. But I'm going to
get the truth from you II | have TO
choke it out"
Eyes sir; very good, indeed, sir.
However, there would seem to be no
need of your resorting to such ex-
IRENE measures, sir"
"Then you will tell me what wish
to know?"
ut will afford me pleasure, sir"
Somehow | could not rid myself OF
the suspicion that the fellow was Sc
cretly laughing at me, yet his round
face was innocent and placid, his eyes
discreetly lowered.
"Then kindly inform me, first Of all,
who this young lieutenant is"
81 fear, sir" solemnly, that / may
have misinformed you when l said
he was Dragoon.'
"Yes!" eagerly.
81 would correct my statement some
what-he is Light Dragon, SIR"
In spite of my effort at self-control,
I swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter useless
ness of such violence. A
,"Now, see here!" 4 broke forth
fercely. "Have dope with your play.
! You ere no soldie;:-I doubt If you
were ever on horses back until to-
night. And those fellows with you are
not Queens Rangers, I'll swear"
GLOW do you know, sir?" he inter-
rupted gently. "Are you in the army,
sir?"
"Of coure I am" cried, answering
without consideration.
81 thought so, sir; although your
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
| ask which army?"
He had turned the tables most neat
ly, and | glanced down over my rough
garments, awakening suddenly to the
knowledge that l was also in mas.
querade. To be sure ! had one ad.
VANTAGE knew these men had been
part Of Delavan's foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
"That is not a question intend an
swering to every ruffian who stops me
on the highway" l returned shortly
81 wish to know what this outrage
means? will know, you wooden-head
ed image! / was about my business
when the four of you attacked me.
wasn't the man you were after at all
and yet | am held prisoner, shut W
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
at is called 'Elmhurst, SIR"
"Elmhurst? A country estate?"
Eyes, sir, one of the old plantations.
TITS a name never heard. Where
is that precious lieutenant"
81 presume he is in bed, sir" and
Peter rose quietly to his feet, and be
gan replacing the dishes on his tray
Apparently there was not a nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
blissfully Indifferent to my presence
/ stared helplessly at him, even words
failing me. ts.
you refuse to inform me as to the
truth OF this AFFAIR."" ! faltered at last
as he lifted his burden on one arm
He turned a stolid face my way.
II would seem so, sir. have L
thank you for most delightful eve
ming, sir. Your conversation has beer
both instructive and entertaining
However, sir the hour is now late
and | should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly, backing TOWARD
the door, and sprang to my feet
overtaken by 4 sudden determination
to make u break for freedom There
was slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door,
81 hardly think that would be advis
able, sir" he warned softly "The man
outside Is armed, and In the excite
ment might hurt you"
There was n click Of the lock, ant
the heavy door swung open. stood
motlonless, tempted to spring, yet moi
daring the venture, Peter backed
majestically out, and caught
glimpse of the graybeard, and thu
black outline of pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me alone. The
little scrap of candle left sputtereC
feebly, and, after walking across thu
floor halrdozen times, striving t
gain control of my temper, | blew 1
out, and orawlod into the bunk. Their,
was nothing | could do, but wait TO
morning; not a sound reached M
from without, and, before ! realized
the possibility, | was fast asleep.
l must have slept long and sVnndly