The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-06-14

you for concealing the boy II he had
shown up here, but you will realize
that as a Kings officer have a seri-
Gus duty to perform"
"You would apprehend Eric? Would
betray him into British hands2 Is
that your meaning, Captain GrantY"
what else could do? Don't he
unreasonable. Boy as he is, no one in
all that crew Of ragamufiins has done
us greater harm. Again and again he
has learned our secrets and brought
Washington information Of our plans.
How he does It is the mystery Of this
department-Howe has personally Of
fered a thousand pounds for his arrest.
Surely you know that. Last night l
thought we had him in our power, but
the very devil seems to protect him
from capture, even when luck brings
him fairly within our grip"
"And so you came here TO search for
him?" l could feel the bitter scofn
in the voice. "In his fathers homel"
81 certainly did" angrily. 81 shall
search the house from cellar to garret
before | leave"
"But you are on parole"
Damn the parole. What do l care
for pledge given to 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 that attack last
night was his planning, and that now
you have him hidden away here. Now
listen to me! | do not desire to 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
house without being seen; I've attend
ed to that"
"And you propose searching the
rooms?"
II do. If you had been little more
genial ! might have exhibited greater
courtesy. But l 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
to 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 friend or
a gentleman. No, l have no wish to
listen to another word; you have
spoken frankly enough, and l under
stand the situation. Perhaps it is only
anger, but it gives me the excuse l
have been seeking after a long while
in vain. Whatever claim you may
have had upon my regard in the past
is over with, forever over with, Cap
tain Grant"
"But-but, surely"
Il mean precisely that. You can
cover your despicable actions with the
gloss of military duty, but know you
now as a revengeful liar. Treat this
house as you please. refuse to have
any more dealings or words with you.
I'll provision you and your men, as l
would any others suffering from hun
ger, but that ends all. If you search
this house do it by force, and in any
way you please, but expect no assist
ance from me. bid you good-day, sir,
and will send Peter to call you when
breakfast is ready"
l closed the crack Of the door as he
came forth into the hall, having no
desire to be caught listening. My own
position was more unpleasant and haZ-
ardous than ever. Whatever reason
the lieutenant might have for holding
me prisoner | was convinced he pos
sessed no knowledge as to my real
identity. The probability was that aft
er an interview l would be released.
But Grant would recognize me in
stantly, and he proposed searching the
house, room by room, seeking this
man Eric. must make my escape first. |
Yet how could this be accomplished?
heard Peter pass along the hall, and
solemnly announce the serving Of
breakfast He and Grant exchanged /
a few sentences, and then the latter
strode to the front door, where he
gave orders to the men. | watched /,
the German officers come up the steps, |
while the majority of the others form" /.
ing into irregular line, marched around I
the corner of the house. A small squad
remained, however, on guard, facing /
the front entrance.