The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-09-19

observed. INoie was q kuaiN aiutiohpN
before the stable door-a G%renadier,
from The outline OF his hat-and oth-
ers. a little group, were sitting on the
grass q dozen feet away. il they had
not been already warned ! might gain
a horse by holiness, but the probable
ity was that here was where Carter
had mounted his squad. and I would
merely walk forward into 9 trap.
had better chance the possibility that
some visitor had left a horse tied In
front, or to one OF the stands. With
this possibility in mind turned, and
skirted the house, making myself as
inconspicuous as possible. There We're
soldiers on the outside steps; heard
their voices without seeing them. and
was thus driven to run swiftly across
an open space, memory guiding me
toward the opposite pavilion. Breath
less, with heart beating fast, I
crouched low IN the shadow, e%ndeavor-
ing to make out my more immediate
surroundings. There were no horses
there, but / could clearly distinguish
the stomping Of restless hoofs some
where to the right. AS Strengthened
up. determined upon discovering an
empty saddle If possible, the figure Of
q man advanced toward me.
Hold on therel hold on" he com
manded shortly. who are you? What
the devil are you skulking about out
here for?"
1t was Grant beyond a doubt; /
would recognize the peculiar snarl OF
that voice in a thousand. He had not
gone upstairs then; had not rejolned
the lady in the dlning-room. What
would she think Of his absenceI
{ What would she do when she realized
. its probable meaning? Someway I was
! not frightened. at thus meeting him,
but glad-if those others would only
keep away, and let Us settle the affair
between US. Here was his tesla
r coward would cry out an alarm, sum-
mon the guard to his assistance, but.
If the fellows nerve only held, or If he
hated me badly enough. he'd fight Il
out alone. All this came to me in a
flash, and the words of challenge
spoken before he even grasped the
thought OF who l was.
$50 ! have discovered you, have II
Why did you fail to keep our appoint.
ment within?"
He drew up sharply with an oath.
peering at me through the dark, be-
wildered by my speech.
1.-THE spy! Ye gods, what luck! Do
you mean to i~nsinuate ran away,
sir?"
How else could interpret it?" I
questioned coolly, determined to taunt
him to action. Il waited where you
told me till l was tired. Perhaps you
will oblige me by explaining your pur-
pose"
He muttered something, but without
comprehending its purport I went on
t~hreateningly:
"And I think you made use Of the
word SPY just now. Did you mistake
me for another?"
Mistake you? No; I'd know you In
hell" he burst forth, anger making his
voice tremble. Il called you a SPY, and
you are one, you sneaking night rat
lor; if you had you'd now be under ar
rest"
ooh, so that was the plan?"
eyes, that was it. Mister Lieutenant
Tortesque."
well. Grant" I said sternly, GIVE
got Just n answer to make you. You
can call your guard, or o can aghI
it out with me here. Whichever yor
choose win depend upon whether YOU
are a man, or a cur" | took a steI
nearer, watching him as best / coulC
in the dark. "You are an unmitigateC
. liar. sir" and with sudden sweep O
the arm l struck him with open hand
Probably you win realize what tina
means"
For an instant he remained so still
I doubted him, even held him cheap
then the breath surged through hi
clinched teeth in a mad oath. IN
surged toward me, but my sword wa
out, the steel blocking his advance.
"You-you actually mean dghtg'
~ "Why not? Isn't that enough
'l If not i win furnish more"
20 q. do not aght spies
"stopi That silly charge is merel
pr an excuse. You do not believe it YOU
ma self. Yes wanted a quarrel yonder !
a the ballroom The expression of you
he eyes was am Insult. Don't evade nov
me am here, wearing the uniform Of ID
ow British army. / have every right Of
gentleman, and you win cross swords
or IN brand you coward whereye
ler there is an English garrison"
ck- L saw the sudden fash Of his draw
The blade, and flung up my own In guard
ant wait; rot here, Captain" / insiste
emit quickly. Were far too near yot
watehful friends yonder; besides I'll
ac- light is poor. Let's try q fortune
sht beyond the pavilion, where it can /
lde simply man TO man"
He turned without a word, and ! f1
arm lowed, eager enough to have doi
DOR with the business. The stars gleams
cry on the naked weapons held in Of
for hands. but we exchanged no wore
the until We had rounded the corner az
am come forth into the open space b
lia yond
iah no HH C0NTINuEDl