The commonwealth., 1912-10-11
CHAPTER xvII.--ContInucd.

'
stepped across the pile Of things
10 tho window, glanclng out at the
still smoulderIug ruins OF the stable
Whatever had occurred, neither the
lady nor Peter remained about the
house. or this | was satisfied, yet
with the realization there came a sud
den comprehension Of my own help
lessness to be OF any aid,
From the window where stood not
a house was visible, Just beyond the
orchard the roads forked, Il weIl-traY,
eled branch circling to the left, and
disappearing over the edge Of a hill.
As | traced II with my eyes a con
siderable body Of mounted men sud
denly appeared on the summit. with
out fear that they could SEQ me at that
distance watched eagerly as they
trotted down the long slope. They
we're plainly a squadron Of British
Dragons, their arms and cross'bolts
shining in the sun, IN spite Of the dust
kicked up by their horses boots
waited until convinced they We're
coming to the house, before drawing
back out OF sight. 1t was difficult to
decide what was best for mo to do.
should wait, trusting to my rough
clothing, and pass myself off as a coun.
tryman, or take advantage Of the brief
time left IN which to escape? If |
nh | gB,1lI nv
plain the situation, and start these
troopers on the trail, II not they might
fail to understand and ride on thought.
iessly What such body Of mounted
men were doing In the neighhorhood
| could merely guess at--ethet they
were riding through to New York on
some matter OF Importance, or else had
been sent out hurriedly to discover
what had become Of DeIavan's fora.
gers. This suppostIon was the more
likely, and they had taken the wrong
road, thus missing Grant and his men
In the darkness.
The must have cut through the or.
chard, leaping the low fence for |
heard the thud Of hoofs even as |
drew back into the upper hall Then
a voice gave a sharp command.
Circle the men about tho house,
Simmons. There Is something wrong
here, and saw a fellow at that upper
window as we came down the hill
Move quick now!"
must face them, and went forward
to the head Of the stairs. nnticipa Ing
an easy explanation of my presence
within. Already quite a squad wac in.
side the front door bending over the
bodies and staring about Curiously.
Pine Robbers, eh, colonel" saId
one contemptuously. THAT fellow has
cutthroat written all over him. DON'T
see any signs Of our men here"
Queen Ranger lying back Of the
STAIRS, sir" reported n soldier briefly;
Irish lookin' mug"
The man addressed as colonel, a
Ranger himself from his green mi
form, looked up quickly and saw me
He called out an order. and three or
four men sprang up the stairs. grasp
ing and leading me down. made nc
resistance, not realizing was In any
danger The colonel, a tall man with
gray mustache and goatee, and dark
searching eyes, faced me sternly.
What are you doing here, sir,
Come, speak up! What does all this
mean?" and he swept his hand abou
in gesture.
Il came along about thirty minutes
ago." explained, beginning to appre
ciate my situation, from the suspicious
glances cast at me, and recalling how
disreputable my appearance must be
Il found things just as they are now
sir. There's been a fight and rob
berry"
That's plain to be seen; are thes,
all the bodies?"
"Yes, sir, but the house is upsid
down from end to end"
You saw no oneH No British sol
dlers?"
| shook my head. conscious OF tn
fierce grip with which | was bein
held, couple OF the men dragge
out the body from behind the stairs
and as the face came into the ligh
the coloneps eyes saw II. ! heard tn
sharp breath expelled through his lip
as he stared down into those ghastl
FEATURES.
Good Lord Miksf What in Il