The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-09-28

uust pear your dlsapprOVal. however,
we need discuss the matter no
longer"
She sprang to the door. and glanced
out into the hall, stepping back once
more as Peter appeared. His eyes
swept the room in silent observation.
Captain Grant and the two officers
with him have concluded their meal.
Mistress Claire" he announced calm
ly. "and one OF them has gone for
file Of soldiers to begin the search OF
the house."
Very well. Peter; go back and as
sist them. l will see to the safe con-
cealment Of Major Lawrence"
He bowed graciously. and disap-
peared
You have not given me your par
don." l implored as our eyes again
met.
There is nothing to pardon to my
knowledge. l respect you because OF
your sense Of propriety. but We cannot
talk longer now. You must enter the
passage at once"
You will give me your hand first?"
Gladly" and l felt its firm pres
sure. her face frightened by smile.
Now let us remember rather the
danger. the necessity OF concealment,
and not delay too long. Wait a mo-
ment. major; IS it true you absolutely
trust me?"
1T certainly Is"
Il am going to put that to the test.
You have papers you desire to give
at once into the hands of General
Washington. You may be detained
here some time. but l have with me
an Indian who could take them across
the Delaware tonight. 1t is not the
first time he has made that journey.
| VIII you contide them to me?"
| Our eyes were looking directly into
each other. l may have hesitated an
instant, confused by the unexpected
request. yet there was something in
the expression of the girls face which
swept doubt swiftly aside. Without a
word l took them from an inner pock-
ct. and gave them to her. The red
lips smiled, the blue eyes Frightening.
"Tonepah shall leave within the
hour" she promised. thrusting the
small packet into the bosom of her
dress. Now step within. major. and
will close the door"
I did as she requested. hearing the
click of the lock behind me, and be-
ing as instantly plunged into dark
ness. I waited moment. my foot upon
the first narrow stair, listening. No
sound reached me from without. and,
with her animated face still before me
in memory, l began to slowly feel my
way down the circular staircase. There
was nothing dangerous about the pas
sage, but with only the bare stone wall
to touch with the hand l was obliged
to grope along blindly. The huge
chimney had evidently been erected
merely for concealment, and l mar
veled at the ingenuity of its construc
ton. l failed to count the steps. but
went around and around SO many
times, pressed against the smooth
wall, that knew l must be well below
the basement Of the house before
finally stood at the bottom. l groped
forward in the intense darkness. feel
ing with outstretched hands. The first
| object encountered was a rough table,
the surface Of which l explored, dis
covering thereon a candlestick with
flint and steel beside 1t. With relief
/ struck a spark, and yellow fame
revealed my surroundings.
What saw was low room some
fifteen feet square. the walls and roof
apparently of stone securely mortared.
the only exit the narrow circular
stairs. The floor was Of earth Op-
posite me was bunk slightly elevat-
| ed, containing a blanket or two. and q
fairly comfortable chair built from a
barrel. An old coat and hat hung
from nail at the head of the bunk
On a shelf near by was an earthen
crock and two candles, and beneath
this, on the floor, was a sawed-off gun
and two pistols, with a small supply
of powder and balls, the former
wrapped in an oiled cloth. 1t was in
truth a gloomy, desolate hole, al
though dry enough. For want Of some
thing better to do l went over and
picked up the pistols; the lock Of one
| was broken, but the other seemed
serviceable, and, after swapping the
| flint, | loaded the weapon, and slipped
| III INTO my pocket oolneuoW llS pos
session yielded me a new measure Of
courage, although l had no reason to
suppose l would be called upon to use
| the ancient relic.
There was little to examine, but
tramped about nervously. tapping the
walls, and convincing myself Of their
solidity, and. finally, tired by this use.
less exercise, seated myself in the
chair. 1t was like being buried in a
tomb, not sound reaching my
strained ears, but at last the spirit Of
depression vanished, and my mind be.
gan to grapple with the problems con-
fronting me.
Heaven alone knows how long l re-
manned there motionless. my mind
elsewhere. drifting idly backward to