The Southern herald., 1912-11-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
At Cross Purposes.

Il could not be considered an un-
pleasant place Of imprisonment. yet
1t was useless for rue TO contrive any
plans of immediate escape. for the
door was securely locked, and two
heavily armed dragons sat within eye
ing me rather malevolently. My at
tempt at approaching the window was
Instantly checked by a threatening |
gesture, and | sat down in the reading |
chair to await developments. They |
could not mufile my ears, however.
and heard the swift hoofbeats OF an
approaching horEe being ridden furi-
ously up the gravel driveway. At the
door he was hastily checked. and a
voice spoke peremptorily:
Here you, take the reinl"
The fellow came up the steps hur-
riedly, almost ignoring the sentry at
the door.
II haven't time to stand here, you
fool" he exclaimed roughly, my uni
form is pass enough. / wish to see
Colonel Mortimer at once-at once"
There was pause. and then the same
voice, and / recognized It now as
Grants beyond a doubt. "Ah, colonel.
what in Gods name has happened
hereG | heard that you were out
hunting us at Farrell's blacksmith
shop, and came back as swiftly as |
could ride. But never suspected
this. Who were the miscreantsf"
"That ia a question not yet an
swered, Captain Grant," replied Nor
timer slowly. 'Tt looks like the work
Of Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow?"
cay" and from the mufied tone he
} must have been bending over the body,
| that Is Tough Sims, lieutenant Of
' Red Fagin; there's one more devil
/ gone to hell. But when did the at
tack occur? We left here after dark
r and all was quiet enough then
4 Claire"
i "She was here, thenf | hardly be
i lieved 1t possible"
Q II talked with her-quarreled will
J. her indeed. Perhaps that was VIII!
l. she refused to accompany US to Phils
q delphia. But what did you mean
r colonel, when you said you hardly be
lieved It possible she was here? Di
g. some one tell your
/? Eyes; we caught fellow In tn
house when we arrived. He had n
a. time for ape-rough-looking miscr'
d. ant. claiming to be a Continental. W
ID have him under guard In the library
IL "He contested to the whole story
''Not word; claimed to know mott
at ing except that Claire was here. Sal
u he saw you, and then went away, M
getting back again until this NOR
.es ing"
ng "The fellow is a liar, colonel. l.
re me see him; I'll lash the truth out
ey his fins. Where did you say he was
ad In the library7"
es- / had barely time to rise to my fe
ed when he entered His eyes swe
er- across the guard. and then center
I'm upon me. Instantly they blazed wi
he excitement, although noticed he to-
ire a sudden step backward In the FIJI
In shock Of surprise, his hand droppii
MT to the butt Of a pistol In his belt.
ex- "By all the godsl" he exclaim
nd sharply. 'If 1t isn't the spyl mi
4ck the red jacket, but know the fa'
Mister Lieutenant FortesQue."
major Lawrence, Il you please.
yer returned quietly.
ay- Wen not quarrel over the mar
ind i've had occasion to know you unt
both: bearing one you were 8
ed, beneath the other q leader Of bandi
ri hang you with equal pleasure
pot der either" Suddenly he seemed
his remember where we were, and
, ii face flushed with newly aroused ra
,ich "But first you'll explain what you
EN-. doing here at Elmhurst. Do you kn
,dy, whose home this Isl"
rere "Most assuredly," determined MOI
ave lose my temper, or to be moved
,ers his threats. TT ID the property
ike Colonel Mortimer, Of the Que'
ront Rangers,
lde; @And-and yoli--you came here
de-" again see the daughter" he q
de- toned, as though half regretting
IL q indiscretion Of such suspicion.
aOh, no, captain; you do the
grave injustice. came her,
Rirl. prisoner, very much against my
died not even aware whose plantation