Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-06-27
CHAPTER XVIII.
At Cross Purposes.


It. 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 at
tempt at approaching the window was
instantly checked by threatening
gesture, and sat down in the reading
chair to await developments. The
could not muflle my ears, however,
and / heard the swift hoofbeats of an
approaching horse being ridden furi.
ously up the gravel driveway. At the
door he was hastily checked, and
voice spoke peremptorily:
Here you, take the rein!"
The fellow came up the steps hur.
riedly, almost ignoring the sentry at
the door.
1T haven't time to stand here, you
fool" he exclaimed roughly, my uni.
form is pass enough. wish to see
Colonel Mortimer at once-at once"
There was a pause, and then the same
voice, and I recognized It now as
Grants beyond doubt, "Ah, colonel,
what in Gods name has happened
here? l heard that you were out
hunting us at Farrell's blacksmith
shop, and came back as swiftly as
could ride. But | never suspected
this. Who were the miscreants?"
"That is question not yet an.
swered, Captain Grant, replied Nor.
timer slowly. 1T looks like the work
/. OF Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow?"
~"Ay," and from the mufied tone he
must have been bending over the body,
/, "that is Tough Sims. lieutenant Of
Red Fagin; there's one more devil
gene to he'll Brt- IN I'D the at
tack occur? We left here after dark,
and all was quiet enough then.
Claire"
."She was here. then? hardly be-
lieved It possible"
II 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 1t possible she was here? Did
some one tell your
Eyes; we caught fellow the
house when we arrived. He had no
time for escape-rough-looking miscre.
ant, claiming to be Continental. We
have him under guard in the library"
He confessed to the whole story?'
mot a 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 Is liar. colonel. Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out oil
his lips. Where did you say he was
In the library?"
had barely time to rise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard. and then centered
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement, although noticed he took
a sudden step backward in the first
shock ot surprise, his hand dropping
to the butt Of pistol in his belt.
by all the gods!" he exclaimed
sharply. 'Tf It isn't the spyl l miss
the red jacket, but know the face
Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."
Major Lawrence, If you please"
returned quietly.
"Well not quarrel over the name
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you were a spy
beneath the other a leader Of banditti.
I'll hang you with equal pleasure I'M
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember where We were; and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage.
But first you'll explain what you are
doing here at Elmhurst. Do you know
whose home this ISL"
"Most assuredly," determined not to
lose my temper, or to be moved by
!. his threats. ut is the property Of
Colonel Mortimer, OF the Queens
Rangers"
"And-and you-you came here to
again see-the daughterT he ques-
toned, as though half resretting the
indlscretion Of such a suspicion.
ooh, no. captain; you do the lady
a grave Injustice. came here a
prisoner, very much against my will
not even aware whose plantation this
was. l 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"
an this room; with both doors ajal
Il was impossible not to hear. 70,
spoke somewhat angriy, you may \re
member, not finding the lady as era
! cious in her reception as expected"
The sarcasm In my tone stung him
but the surprise was so great that h
could only rip out an oath.
81 thought you would have also en-
joyed swearing at that time," l con
tinued coolly, only you scarcely dare,
venture so far. You had prevlousl,
hoasted- to me Of your engagement I.