American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-08-29

~ Ga,
knowledge that l was also in mas
q~uerade. To be sure | had n ad
vantage-1 knew these men had beer
part OF Delavan's ~foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
That is not a question | intend an
swering to every ruffian who stops me
on the highway" | returned shortly
1 wish to know what this outrage
means? will know, you wooden-head.
ed image! l vas about my business
when the four of you attacked me. |
wasn't the man you were after at all,
and yet / am held prisoner, shut up
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
1T is called 'Elmhurst.' SIR"
"Elmhurst? A country estate?"
Yes, sir, n Of the old plantations"
Its a name | lever heard. Where
is that precious lieutenant? ?"
Il presume he is in bed, SIR" and
Peter rose quietly to his feet, and be-
gan replacing the dishes on his tray.
Apparently there was not a nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
b~lissfully Indifferent to my presence.
stared helplessly at him, even words
failing me.
you refuse to inform me as to the
truth of this affair."" I faltered at last,
as he lifted his burden on one arm.
He turned a stolid face my way.
i would seem so. sir. | have to
thank you for a most delightful eve
ming, sir. Your conversation has been
both instructive and entertaining.
However, sir, the hour is now late,
and l should advise your retiring"
He bowed soiemnly, backing toward
the door, and l sprang TO MY feet,
overraken by a sudden determination
to make a break for freedom. There
was a slight glitter in Peters gray
eyes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door.
Il hardly think that would be advis.
able, sir" he warned softly The man
outside is armed, and in the excite
ment might hurt you"
There was a click Of the lock, and
the heavy door swung open. | stood.
motionless, tempted to spring, yet not
daring the venture. Peter backed
majestically out, and l caught a
glimpse Of the ~graybeard, and the
black outline of a pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me alone. The
little scrap of candle left sputtered
feebly, and, after walking across the
floor a %half-dozen times, striving to
gain control of my temper, l blew 1t
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
nothing l could do, but wait for
morning; not a sound reached me
from without, and, before l realized
the possibility, I was fast asleep.
must have slept long and soundly,
for when I finally awoke a CLEAN Of
sun lay the full length of the room,
and food was upon the table. Some
one-Peter, no doubt-had entered
and departed without arousing me
Sleep had left me in a pleasanter
frame of mind, and I ate heartily,
wondering vaguely what the day would
disclose. l determined one thing, that
when Peter returned for the dishes, |
would back him into a corne and
choke at least a portion of the truth
out of his unwilling throat. l had
hardly reached this decision when the
door opened, and he stood there gaz-
ing at me with sphinx-like stupidity.
| arose to my feet. gripping the back
of a chair, but the utter vacancy in
that face seemed to numb action.
There was no positive expression, no
dim glimmer of interest in his fea-
lures; the shining bald head alone
gave him a grotesque appearance, re-
straining me from violence. l could
as easily have warred with a baby.
81 trust, sir. you slept well,' he said
soothingly, and that the service Is
satisfactory"
l choked back my Indignation, the
quiet Difference of his manner causing
me to feel like a brute.
Nothing could be added to my hap
piness," l answered, unless it might
be a little information which you
to furnish"
He waved one hand, as though
brushing calmly aside some imagined
"Disinclined? Oh, no, sir; there is
nothing to conceal, sir, l assure you"
Then, for Gods sake, let it out Of
your system, mani" l burst forth i'm
patiently. Whom am l a prisoner to?
What am I held for? What sort OF
treatment is this am receiving"
Peter bowed, without the tremor of
IN eyelash.
DO not mention 1t, sir" he muir
nured smoothly; I'VE are only too
proud to have you as our guest at
1lmhurst. 1t has been very quiet here
low for some weeks. sir, and your
was welcome to us all"
| could only stare at the fellow with
pen mouth, so dumbfounded as to be
ipeechless. OF all the idiots l had
yer met he was the worst, or else
lis acting was magnificent. To save
ne l was not certain which might be
ba correct pueSS He continued in