Eastern Colorado times., 1912-08-09

the stomping Of restless hoofs some
where to the right Az straightened
up. determined upon discovering m
empty saddle II possible. the figure Of
man advanced toward me-
Hold on therei hold on!" he COM
manded shortly. "Who are your What
the devil are You skulking about out
here fort"
It was Grant beyond . doubt:
would recognize the peculiar snarl Of
that voice In a thousand. He had not
gone upstairs then; had not rejoined .
the lady in the dining-room. What
would she think of his absencsf
What would she do when she realized
its probable meaning? Someway Twas
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 test-A
coward would cry out an alarm. sum-
mon the guard to his assistance. but.
II the fellows nerve only held, or II he
hated me badly enough. he'd night It
out alone. All this came to me In
flash, and the words Of challenge
spoken before he even grasped the
thought Of who 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. b.
wildered by my speech.
"The SPY! Ye gods. what lucki Do
you mean to insinuate I ran away.
sir3"
"How else could interpret itf"
questioned coolly. determined to taunt
him to action. II waited where you
told me till I was tired. Perhaps you
will oblige me BY explaining your pur.
pose"
He muttered something. but without
comprehending its purport went on
threateningly:
"And think you made use Of the
word SPY Just now. Did you mistake
me for anotherf"
Mistake you? No: I'd know you In
he'll" he burst forth. anger making his
voice tremble. II called you q SPY. and
you are one. you sneaking night rat
You never waited for me In the par.
lor; II you had you'd now be under n.
rest"
"Oh. 30 that was the plan
"Yes. that was 1t. Mister Lieutenant
Fortesque."
well. Grant," I said sternly. I've
got Just one answer to make You. You
, can call your guard. or you can fight
1t out with me here. Whichever you
choose will depend upon whether you
are a man. or a cur" took q step
nearer. watching him as best I could
in the dark. you are an unmitigated
liar. sir" and with sudden sweep OF
the arm ! struck him with open hand.
Probably you will realize what that
means"
For an instant he remained 20 stiN
I doubted him. even held him cheap:
then the breath surged through his
clinched teeth in q mad oath. He
surged toward me, but my sword was
out, the steel blocking his advance.
"You-you actually mean 6ght7"
"Why not? Isn't that cause enoushf
II not will furnish more"
II do not fight spies-"
stop! That silly charge 10 merely
an excuse. You do not believe 1t your.
self. You wanted quarrel yonder In
the ballroom. The expression Of your
eyes was an insult Don't evade now.
am here. wearing the uniform Of the
British army. have every right Of .
gentleman. and you win cross swords,
or I'll brand you coward wherever
there 10 an English garrison"
I saw the sudden lash OF his drawn
blade. and nung up my own In guard.
wait: rot here. Captain" l insisted
quickly. Were far too near your
watchful friends yonder: besides the
light is poor. Let's try our fortunes
beyond the pavilion. where It can be
simply man to man."
He turned without word. and fol.
lowed, eager enough to have done
with the business. The etars cleaned
ON the naked weapons held In. our
hands, but we exchanged no words
until we had rounded the corner and
come forth into the open space be.
yond.
tTo BE coNTlNuED.)