The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1912-05-23

the red Jacket, out i KNOW lno ldCss
Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."
Major Lawrence. II you please" /
returned quietly.
Wen not quarrel over the name.
I've had occasion to know you under
both: bearing one you were a sry.
pene6th the other a leader or psnditti.
III hang you with equal pleasure un.
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember where we were, and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage.
But first you1l explain what you are
doing here at Elmhurst. Do you know
whose home this is?"
Most assuredly." determined not to
lose my temper, or to be moved by
his threats. ut IL 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 regrettins the
indiscretlon OF such a suspicion.
"Oh. no. captain; you do the lady
grave injustice. | came here q
prisoner. very much against my will.
not even aware whose plantation this
was. | had no suspicion that Mistress
Mortimer was outside Philadelphia
until I overheard your conversation
with her"
Overheard You'll In Gods name.
where were you"
'In this room: with both doors ajar
tt.ae. 90
spoke somewhat angrily. you may re-
member. not finding the lady as grs'
cious In her reception as expected"
The sarcasm in my tone stung him,
but the surprise was 30 great that he
could only rip out an oath.
Il thought you would have also en-.
joyed swearing at that time" ] con.
tInued coolly. only you scarcely dared
venture so far. You had previously
boosted TO me OF your engagement to
the lady, and Il naturally was a sur.
prise to observe how lovingly she
greeted you"
"Hell's acrei" he burst out. did
the mink know you were there-
IF you refer TO Mistress Mortimer
! presume she suspected 1t. 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 met / was
in every room OF the house"
smiled pleasantly. There was
nothing for me to gain, or lose. by
goading him. yet It was rather enjoy
able.
That. OF course. 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 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, stridins
down the hall. bent on carrying oui
his purpose. ! heard his voice ask
tng where the colonel was 20 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 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 30 stringent orders
without listening also to his daugh
ter's story. / was an officer OF rank,
the consequences might prove rsthel
serious we're / TO be executed sum
marily. and without proper trial.
| had scarcely reasoned this out
however, when a corporal threw oper
the door. ordering my guard to con
duct me into the colonePs presence
] was taken to the parlor. where the
furniture had been somewhat rear
ranged. and found myself confronting
Mortimer. the n%cer I had heard ad
| I5sll[I!!!