The Glenwood post., 1912-10-12

'ihie ioi escdpe-rOuSh-lOOkin miScre
ant, Claiming to be a Continental. We
have him under guard in the library
he confessed to the whole story?'
MOI word; claimed to know moth
ing except that Claire was here. Said
he saw you, and then went away, not
| getting back again until this morn
ing"
"The fellow is a liar, colonel. Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out OF
his lips. Where did you say he was
in the library?"
l had barely time to rise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard, and then centered
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement, although I noticed he took
a sudden step backward in the first
shock of surprise, his hand dropping
to the butt of pistol in his belt.
by all the gods!" he exclaimed
sharply. "If it isn't the spy! l miss
the red jacket, but I know the face
Mister Lieutenant Fortesque"
Major Lawrence, if you please"
returned quietly.
w II HOt qudIItl over Ine name
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you were a spy
beneath the other leader Of banditti.
III hang you with equal pleasure un-
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember where we We're, and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage
But first you'll explain what you are
lninpy Ia
whose home this is?"
"Most assuredly," determined not to
lose my temper, or to be moved by
his threats 1T is the property of
Colonel Mortimer, of the Queens
Rangers"
"And-and you-you came here to
again see-the daughter?" he ques-
toned, as though half regretting the
indiscretion of such a suspicion.
"Oh, no, captain; you do the lady
a grave injustice. 1 came here
prisoner, very much against my will,
not even aware whose plantation this
was. had no suspicion that Mistress
| Mortimer was outside Philadelphia
until l overheard your conversation
with her"
"Overheard! You! In Gods name,
where were you"
"ln this room; with both doors aiar
1t was impossible not to hear. You
spoke somewhat angrily, you may re-
member not finding the lady as gra-
cious in her reception as expected"
The sarcasm in my tone stung him,
but the surprise was so great that he
could only rip out an oath.
II thought you would have also en-
joyed swearing at that time" I con-
tinued cOolly, only you scarcely dared
venture so far. You had previously
boasted to me of your engagement to
the lady, and it naturally was a sur
prise to observe how lovingly she
greeted you
"Hells acre!" he burst out. Did
the mink know you We're there?"
"If you refer to Mistress Mortimer,
I presume she suspected it. At least
she came to me shortly thereafter"
Then l understand better what
troubled the girl. But, in Gods name!
how did you ever escape me? l was
in every room of the house"
smiled pleasantly. There was
nothing for NE to gain, or lose, by
goading him, yet it was rather enjoy.
able.
That, of course, l must naturally
refuse to answer, captain. l might
need to resort to the same methods
again."
There will be small chance of your
having opportunity. Mortimer will
hang you fast enough when l tell my
tale. Don't look for mercy at his
hands, for he's prouder than Lucifer OF
his family honor"
He was out of the door, striding
down the hall, bent on carrying out
his purpose. l heard his voice ask.
ing where the colonel was to be found;
then the guard closed the barrier be.
tween US. Very well, of the two
would rather leave my fate to Morti.
mer than to him, and felt profoundly
grateful that the captain was not in
command. Had he been l should
doubtless have been hung without the
slightest formality of trial, but Nor.
timer would at least hear my version
first; indeed, l could hardly believe
he would issue so stringent orders
without listening also to his daugh.
ter's story. l was an officer Of rank;
the consequences might prove rather
serious were l to be executed sum.
marily, and without proper trial.
l had scarcely reasoned this out,
however, when a corporal threw open
the door, ordering my guard to con.
duct me into the colonels presence.
| was taken to the parlor, where the
furniture had been somewhat rear.
ranged, and found myself confronting