Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-09-20


fence alone promised conceaiment.
and, holding my sword tightly, crept
In that direction, breathing again more
freely as reached its protection I'M
observed. There was a guard stationed
before the stable door-a Grenadier,
from the outline of his hat-and 9th
ers, little group, were sitting on the
grass dozen feet away If they had
not been already warned / might gain
horse by boldness, but the probable
ity was that here was where Carter
had mounted his squad, and l would
merely walk forward into a trap. 1
mad better chance the possibility that
some visitor had left a horse tied in
front, or to one of the stands With
this possibility in mind | turned, and
skirted the house, making myself as
1nconsptcHous as possible There were
soldiers on the outside steps; heard
their voices without seeing them, and
was thus driven ID 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
where to the right. AS l Strengthened
up, determined upon discovering an
empty saddle If possible, the figure of
man advanced toward me.
Hold on there! hold on!" he COM
manded shortly. Who are you? What
the devil are you skulking about out
here fort"
1t was Grant beyond a doubt;
would recognize the peculiar snarl of
that voice in a 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
it's 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 tesla
coward would cry out an alarm, sum-
mon the guard to his assistance, but,
If the fellows nerve only held, or if he
hated me badly enough, he'd fight it
out alone. All this came to me In g
flash, and the words of challenge
spoken before he even grasped the
thought of who | was.
so have discovered you, have /!
Why did you fail to keep our appoint
ment within?"
He drew up sharply with an oath.
peering at me through the dark, be-
wildered by my speech.
The spy! Ye gods, what luckl Do
you mean to insinuate ran away,
sir?"
How else could | interpret it?" I
questioned eoolly, determined to taunt
him to action. Il waited where you
told me till was tired Perhaps you
will oblige me by explaining your pur-
pose"
He muttered something, but without
comprehending it's purT-ort went on
threateningly:
And / think you made use of the
word spy just now. Dad you mistake
me for another?"
Mistake you? No; IA know you in
hell, he burst forth, anger making his
voice trelnble. Il called you spy, and
you are one, you sneaking night rat
You never waited for me in the par
lor; il you had you'd now be under ar
rest"
"Oh, so that was the plan?"
yes. that was it. Mister Lieutenant
Fortesque."
"WeE, Grant" I said sternly, "Tve
got just one answer to make you. You
can call your guard, or you can fight
it out with me here. Whichev you
choose with depend upon whether you
are man, or cur" took a step
nearer, watching him as best / could
in the dark You are an unmitigated
liar, sir" aud with sudden sweep of
the arm | struck him with open hand
Probably you win realize what that
means"
For an instant he remained SO still
doubted him. even held him cheap;
then the breath surged through his
clinched teeth in a lad oath He
surged toward me. but roy sword was
out, the steel blocking mis- advance.
"You-you actually mean fght?"
why not? Isn't that cause enough? |
If not l will furnish more"
Il do not fight spies"
Stop! That silly charge is merely |
an excuse. You do not believe 1t your
self You wanted quarrel yonder in |
the ballroom. The expression of your
eyes was an insult. Don't evade now.
am here, wearing the uniform of the |
British army. | have every right of a |
gentleman, and you viii cross swords.
or I'll brand you coward wherever |
there is an English garrison"
saw the sudden fash of his drawn |
blade, and flung up my own in guard.