The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-23
"a Dragon. sir"

'Peter," / broke out, irritated be
Tond patience, 81 have some reason to
believe you a liar. But I'm going to
get the truth from you if I have to
choke 1t out"
Eyes sir; very good, indeed, sir
However, there would seem to be nc
need of your resorting to such ex
IRENE measures, SIR"
"Then you will tell me what ! wish
to know"
eft will afford me pleasure, SIR"
Somehow / could not rid myself OF
the suspicion that the fellow was Sc
cretly laughing at me, yet his round
face was innocent and placid, his eyes
discreetly lowered.
"Then kindly inform me, first Of all
who this young lieutenant isl
81 fear, sir" solemnly, chat l may
have. misinformed you when l said
he was a Dragon"
"YesI" eagerly.
81 would correct my statement some
what-he is Light Dragon, sir"
In spite OF my effort at self-control
I swore, tempted to batter that stolid
face, yet realizing the utter useless
ness of such violence.
"Now, see here!" / broke forth
fiercely. "Rave done with your play
You are no soldier; I doubt il you
were ever on horses back until to
night. And those fellows with you are
not Queens Rangers, I'll swear"
"How4 do you know. sir?" he inter
rupted gently. Are you in the army
sir?"
"of coure ] am" cried, answering
without consideration.
II thought so, sir; although your
clothes do not proclaim the fact. May
I ask which army?"
He had turned the tables most neat.
", and l glanced down over my rough
garments, awakening suddenly to the
knowledge that l was also In mas,
Querade. 10 be sure ! had one ad
vantage knew these men had been
part of Delavan's foragers, and hence
at heart must be loyalists.
"That Is not a question l intend an.
swering to every ruf1an who stops me
on the highway" returned shortly
Il wish to know what this outrage
means? will know, you wooden-head.
ed image I was about my business
when the four of you attacked me,
wasn't the man you were after at all
and yet I am held prisoner, shut w
here behind iron bars. What is this
place, anyhow"
'It is called 'Elmhurst,' sir"
"Elmhurst? A country estate?"
Eyes. sir, one of the old plantations
tits name ! never heard. Where
is that precious lieutenant"
II 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 nervous
throb to his pulse, and he remained
blisstully Indifferent to my presence.
stared helplessly at him, even words
failing me.
"Tou refuse to inform me as to the
truth of this AFFAIR."" faltered at last,
as he lifted his burden on one arm
He turned a stolid face my way.
Il would seem so, sir. l have tc
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 should advise yous-xetiring."
He bowed solemnly, backing toward
the door, and sprang to my feet
overtaken by a sudden determination
o make break for freedom. There
vas slight glitter in Peters gray
ayes, as he raped sharply with his
heel on the door.
81 hardly think that would be advis-
lble, SIR" he warned softly. "The man
outside is armed, and in the excite
nent might hurt you"
There was a click Of the lock, and
he heavy door swung open. stood
notionless. tempted to spring, yet not
daring the venture. Peter backed
majestically out, and caught a
glimpse of the graybeard, and the
black outline OF pistol. Then the
door closed, leaving me alone The
little scrap Of candle left sputtered
.eebly, and. after walking across the
door a ha1f-dozen times, striving to
gain control of my temper, blew it
out, and crawled into the bunk. There
was nothing I could do, but wait for
morning; not sound reached me
from without, and, before realized
the possibility, was fast asleep.
/ must have slept long and soundly,
for when / finally awoke 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 l ate heartily,
wondering vaguely what the day would
disclose. 1 determined one thing, that
when Peter returned for the dishes,