American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-08-29
me"

49, AAt-4I JuGL dlttl
: DARK, he had a young officer OF Light
: Dragons in charge Of his advance
: guard. merely got a glimpse of the
: fellow as We rode in, and he looked
Z so deyilishly like Eric that I asked
Delavan who the lad was. He said he
: bad joined at Mount Holly with three
: men, was going through TO Philadel
phia with dispatches from New York
' n was only too glad of escort the
rest OF the way. Being short Of off.
e GERS Delavan gave him charge Of the
e van"
did he recognize you"
Il hardly think SO; it was pretty
dark, and I was put on guard over the
> rear wagons. | supposed | would have
ample opportunity TO learn the truth
after it became daylight"
, But you believed him to be Eric?"
Yes, and after the attack | was
convinced. He and the three men with
him bolted and got away. Must have
u at the first fire, for the fellows
had us completely hemmed in. 1t was
Eric all right, and that is about half
the reason why / led my men back
here-I wanted to find u If he was
hiding about the old place. Is it true
you haven't eel him."
quite true; indeed I had no reason
to suppose him in the Jerseys at this
time"
Grant remained silent, probably not
wholly convinced that he was being
told the truth, and yet not venturing
to state openly his suspicious. How
ever the other said no more, and final
ly the Ranger felt compelled to an.
swer.
"Of course" he explained rather
lamely. Il couldn't altogether blame
you for ~concealing the boy il he had
shown up here. but you will realize
that as a Kings officer l have a seri-
GUS duty TO perform"
you would apprehend Eric? Would
betray him into British hands? Is
that your meaning, Captain Grant,"
What else could ! do? Don't be
unreasonable Boy as he is, no one in
all that crew of ~ragamuffins has done
US greater harm. Again and again he
has learned our secrets and brought
Washington information of our plans.
How he does il is the mystery of this
1epartment-Howe has personally OF.
Tered a thousand pounds for his arrest.
Surely you know that. Last night |
thought We had him in our power. but
the very devil seems to protect him
from capture, even when luck brings
hin fairly within U grip"
And so you came here TO search for
him?" ! could feel the bitter scorn
in the voice. In his fathers home!"
4 certainly did" angrily. q shall
search the house from cellar to garrei
before ! leave
But you are On parole"
Damn the parole. What do l care
for a pledge given to a band of plum
dering outlaws? And what do | care
for Eric? He chose for himself, and
has no right TO expect any mercy from
me, and by all the gods, he'll receive
none. | half believe hat attack last
night was his planning, and that now
you have him hidden away here. Now
listen TO me! l do not desire 10 be
harsh, but I'm a soldier. My men are
not armed, but there are enough out
there to handle the servants bare
handed. No one can get out of this
lDuse without being seen; I've attend.
ed 10 that"
And you propose searching the
rooms?"
i do. If you had been a little more ,
genial | might have exhibited greater
courtesy. But | haven't any use for
Eric, and never had. Now you know
the truth"
1T merely illustrates more clearly
your character"
You are always free enough with
your comments. l shall do my duty
the King"
Very well, sir" and the incensed
lieutenant pushed back his chair. &
Then We clearly understand each 9TH
er at last. / am sincerely glad of it.
From now on l shall never again be
guilty of mistaking you for a friend or
gentleman. No, l have no wish to ,
listen 10 another word; you have
frankly enough, and l under {
stand the situation. Perhaps 1t is only
anger, but it gives me the excuse |
have been seeking after a long while j.,
in vain Whatever claim you may |
have had upon my regard in the past :
S over with, forever over with, Cap
ain Grant"
"But-but, surely ,
q mean precisely that. You can
your despicable actions with the ?
of military duty, but | know you /
as a r%evengeful liar. Treat this
house as you please. l refuse to have
mor dealings or words with you.
II provision you and your men, as
would 4 others suffering from hun
yer, blu that ends all. If you search r.
his house do it by force, and in any
way you please, but expect no assist
nee from me. bid you good-day, sir,