The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-07-04
CHAPTER xvlll.
AZ Cross Purposes.

AZ Croas Purposes.
Il could not be considered en- UNI
pleasant place of imprisonment, yet
1t was useless for me to contrive any
plans Of immediate escape. for the
door was securely locked. and two
heavily armed dragons sat within eye
ing me rather inadvertently. My att
tempt at approaching the window was
instantly checked by q threatening
gesture, and ! sat down In the reading
chair to await developments. The
could not mufle my ears, however,
and heard the swift hoofbeats Of an
approaching horse being ridden furi-
ously up the gravel driveway. Al the
door he was hastily checked. and 0
voice spoke peremptorily:
"Here you, take the reinl"
The fellow came up the steps hur.
riedly, almost ignoring the sentry ct
the door.
Il haven't time TO stand here, you
fool" he exclaimed roughly, my uni
form is pass enough. | wish to see
Colonel Mortimer at onceat once !"
There was a pause, and then the same
voice, and recognized 1t now as
Grants beyond q doubt. "Ah. colonel,
what in Gods name has happened
here? heard that you were out
hunting us at Farrell'a blacksmith
shop, and came back as swiftly as
could ride. But / never suspected
this. Who were the miBcreantsf"
"That is a question not yet an
swered, Captain Grant, replied Nor.
timer slowly. ut looks ike the work
OF Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow2"
cay" and from the muftled tone he
must have been bending over the body,
''that is Tough Sims, q lieutenant Of
Red Fagin; there's one more devil
gone to hell. But when did the at
tack occur2 We left here after dark,
and all was quiet enough then.
Claire"
'sShe was here. thenG ] hardly be-
lieved II possible"
Il talked with her Quarreled with
her. indeed. Perhaps that was why
she refused to accompany us TO Phila,
delphia. But what did you mean.
colonel, when you said you hardly be-
lieved It possible she was here3 Did
some one tell your"
Eyes: we caught fellow the
house when we arrived. He had no
time for escape -rough-looking mGscre-
ant. claiming to be Continental We
have him under guard in the library"
HE confessed TO the whole story7''
mot q 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 Ia liar. colonel Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out Of
his lips. Where did you say he was
In the nhrary2"
/ had barely time to rise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard. and then conferred
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement, although noticed he took
a sudden step backward in the first
shock Of surprise. his hand dropping
to the butt Of q pistol In his belt.
"By all the gOdsl" he exclaimed
sharply. "If It isn't the spyi / miss
the red jacket, but | know the faca
Mister Lieutenant FortesQue."
Major Lawrence. Il you please
returned quietly.
wen not quarrel over the nanA
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you were q SPY.
beneath the other leader Of banditti.
III hang you with equal pleasure I'M
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember whore we were. and bis
face flushed with newly aroused rage.
"But first yo11l explain what you are
doing here at Elmhurst- DO you know
whose home this isi''
Most assuredly,s determined not 70
lose my temper, Of to be moved BY
his threats. 1T Is the property Of
Colonel Mortimer. Of ne Queens
Rangers"
"And-and Son-sou came here 70
again see-the daughter3" he Ques-
toned. as though half regretting the
indiscretion Of such . suspicion.
~Oh. no. captain; you do the LADY
a grave injustice. I came here 9
prisoner. very much aeainst my viii
not even aware whose plantation this
was. / had no suspicion that Mistress
Mortimer was outside Philadelphis
until / overheard your conversation
with her."
overhearai Youi In Gods name
where were you