The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-06-07

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, mani do you
think l am log Of wood? Act like a
human being. Who is the lieutenantT"
"A Dragon, sir"
"Peter," l broke out, irritated be-
yond patience, 81 have some reason to
believe you a liar. But I'm going to
get the truth from you If have to
choke 1t out"
Eyes sir; very good, indeed, sir.
However, there would seem to be no
need of your resorting to such ex-
treme measures, sir"
"Then you will tell me what wish
to know?"
at will afford me pleasure, sir"
Somehow l 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 said
he was Dragon"
"Yes!" eagerly.
81 would correct my statement some
what-he is Light Dragon, sir"
In spite of my effort at self-control,
l swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter useless.
ness Of such violence.
"Now, see here!" / broke forth
fiercely. Have done with your play.
You are no soldier; doubt if you
were ever on horses back until to-
night. And those fellows with you are
not Queens Rangers, I'll swear"
"How do you know, sir?" he inter-
rupted gently. "Are you in the army,
sir?"
"Of coure I am" I cried, answering
without consideration.
81 thought so, sir; although your
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
l ask which army?"
He had turned the tables most neat
ly, and l 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-I knew these men had been
part of Delavan's foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
THAT is not a question l intend an
swering to every ruffian who stops me
on the highway" l returned shortly.
81 wish to know what this outrage
means? l will know, you wooden-head-
ed image! l was about my business
when the four Of you attacked me. l
wasn't the man you were after at all,
and yet l am held prisoner, shut up
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"
'It's 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 nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
blissfully Indifferent to my presence.
stared helplessly at him, even words
failing me.
"You refuse to inform me as to the
truth of this AFFAIR."" 1 faltered at last,
as he lifted his burden on one arm.
He turned stolid face my way.
"I would seem so, sir. I have to
thank you for a most delightful eve
ming, sir. Your conversation has been
both instructive and entertaining.
However, sir, the hour is now late,
and I should advise your retiring"
He bowed solemnly, backing toward
the door, and l sprang to my feet,
overtaken by sudden determination
TO make break for freedom. There
was a slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door.
'I 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 a click Of the lock, and
the heavy door swung open. l stood
tempted to spring, yet not
daring the venture. Peter backed
out, and l caught a
glimpse of the graybeard, and the
black outline Of a pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me alone. The
little scrap Of candle left sputtered
'eebly, and, after walking across the
floor a half-dozen times, striving to
gain control of my temper, blew it
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
was nothing could do, but wait for
not a sound reached me
from without, and, before l realized
the possibility, was fast asleep.
l must have slept long and soundly,
'or when l finally awoke gleam Of
sun lay the full length of the room,
and food was upon the table. Some
no doubt-had entered
and departed without arousing me.
Sleep had left me in a pleasanter
'rame Of mind, and l ate heartily,
wondering vaguely what the day would
disclose. l determined one thing, that
when Peter returned for the dishes, /
would back him into a corner and
choke at least portion Of the truth
,ut Of his unwilling throat had
hardly reached this decision when the
loor opened, and he stood there gaz-
ng at me with sphinx-like stupidity.
arose to my feet, gripping the back
" o nhnir hut the 1nttnr uanannu in