The state herald., 1912-11-15


renee alone promised concealment.
and. holding my sword tightly. crept
In that direction, breathing again more
freely as reached its protection un-
observed. There was guard stationed
before the stable door-a Grenadier.
from tho outline OF his hat-and 9TH
ers. little group. were sitting on the
grass dozen feet away. II they had
not been already warned | might gain
a horse by boldness, but the probabil-
ity was that here was where Carter
had mounted his squad, and | would
merely walk forward into trap. |
had better chance the possibility that
some visitor had left horse tied in
front, or to one of the stands. With
this possibility in mind | turned. and
skirted the house, making myself as
inconspicuous as possible. There were
soldiers on the outside steps; heard
their voices without seeing them. and
was thus. driven to run swiftly across
an open space. memory guiding me
toward the opposite pavilion. Breath
less. with heart beating fast,
crouched low In the shadow. endeavor-
ing TO make out my more immediate
surroundings There were no horses
there, but | could clearly distinguish
the stomping OF restless hoofs some
up. determined upon discovering an
empty saddle II possible. the figure OF
Il man advanced toward me.
Hold on there! hold onl" he com.
manded shortly. who are you? What
the devil are you skulking about out
here for?"
II was Grant beyond n doubt;
would recognize the peculiar snarl OF
that voice in thousand. He had not
gone upstairs then: had not rejoined
the lady In the dining.room. What
would she think OF his absence?
What would she do when she realized
its probable meaning? Someway | was
not frightened, at thus meeting him.
but glad-if those others would only
keep away. and let us settle the affair
between us. Here was his test-a
coward would cry out an alarm, sum.
mon the guard to his assistance. but.
IL the fellows nerve only held. or II he
hated me badly enough. he'd fight II
out alone. All this came to me in a
fash. and the words OF challenge
spoken before he even grasped the
thought OF who was.
so ! have discovered you. have II
Why did you fail to keep our appoint.
ment withln?"
lie drew up sharply with an oath.
poering ut me through the dark. be-
wildered by my speech
The spy Ye gods. what luck! DO
you mean to insinuate ran away.
sir7"
How else could interpret IT." |
questioned coolly. determined to taunt
him TO action. Il waited where you
told me til was tired. Perhaps you
viii oblige me by explaining your pur.
pose"
lie muttered something. but without
comprehendiug It's purport | went on
threatenlngly,
And | think you made use OF the
word spy Just now, Did you mistake
me for another"
Mistake you? No: I'D know you in
hell" he burst forth. anger making his
voice tremble. II called you spy. and
you are one. you sneaking night rat.
You never waited for me IN the par.
lor: II you had you'd now be under ar
rest"
"Oh. so that was the PLAN"
Yes, that was Il. Mister Lieutenant
Fortesque"
We'll. Grant" said stcrnly. rive
got Just one answer 10 make you You
can call your guard. or you can fight
Il out with me here. Whichever you
choose will depend upon whether you
are "A man, or a cur" took q step
nearer. watching him az best could
In the dark. You are an unmitifated
liar. sir" and with sudden sweep Of
the arm struck hlm with open hand.
Probably you viii realize what that
means"
For an instant he remained 30 ntili
doubted him, oven held him cheap;
then the breath surgcd through his
clinched teeth In a mad oath, lilo
rurrcd toward me. but my sword was
out, tho steel blocking hia advance.
"You-you actually mean hRht7"
why not7 Isn't that cause onough'
u not win furnish more"
# do not fight spies"
Stop That hlly charge n merely
an excuse. You do not believe Il your
self. You wanted a quarrel yonder In
the ballroom. The cNprcrslon ot your
eyes was an insult Don't cyado now,
am here. wearing tho uniform of tho
british army I have every rlght of n
gentleman. and you VIII cross swords.
or m brand you coward wherever
there IL an English garrison"
/ nav the sudden fash VI hlu drawn
blade. aud funs up my own In guard.