The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-10-17

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observed. There was guard stationed
before the stable door-a Grenadier.
from the outline OF his hat-and 9TH
ers, little group. were sltting on the
grass dozen feet away. II they had
not been already warned might gain
a horse by holiness, but the probable
ity was that here was where Carter
mad mounted his squad, and ! would
merely walk forward Into a trap. I
mad better chance the possibility that
some visitor had left horse tied in
front, or TO one of the stands. With
this possibility in mind turned. and
skirted the house, making myself az
inconsplcuous as possible. There were
soldiers on the outside steps; heard
their voices without seeing them, and
was thus driven TO run swiftly across
an open space, memory guiding me
toward the opposite pavilion. Breath
less, with heart beating fast, I
crouched low in the shadow, endeavor-
Ing to make out my more immediate
surroundings. There were no horses
the stomping OF restless hoofs some
where to the right. As | Strengthened
up, determined upon discovering an
empty saddle II possible. the figure OF
man advanced toward me-
Hold on there! hold onl" he com
manded shortly. Who are you? What
tho devil are you skulklng about out
here for7"
1t was Grant beyond n doubt;
would recognize the peculiar snarl of
that voice in thousand. lie had not
gone upstairs then; had not rejolned
the lady in the dlnlng-room. What
would she think OF his absence?
What would she do when she realized
Its probable meaning? Somoway was
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 tesla
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 fight II
out alone. All this came to me in a
flash. and the words OF challenge
spoken before he even grasped the
thought Of who was
so have discovered you, have ]
Why did you fail to keep our appoint
ment Within"
He drew up sharply with an oath
peering at me through the dark, be
wildered by my speech.
THE spy! Ye gods, what luck! d,
you mean to insinuate | ran away
sir?"
How else could interpret TT"
questioned coolly, determined to taunl
h.I to action. Il waited where 70
told me Till | was tired. Perhaps ycl.
will obl!ge me by explaining your pu'
pose"
He muttered something, but withor'
compromising its purport ! went o.
threateningly:
And ] think you made use OF the
word spy Just now. Did you mistakf
me for another"
Mistake you? No: I'd know you n
hell. he burst forth, anger making his
voice trcmble. 81 called you Il spy. anC
you are one, you sneaklng night rat
You never waited for me in the par
lor; II you had you'd now be under ar
rest"
"Oh, so 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 Il man, or cur" | took a ster
nearer, watching him as best 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 thai
For an instant he remained so still
doubted him. even held him cheap:
then the breath surged through hin
teeth in a mad oath. Fl
surged toward me. but my sword wal
out, the ste,l blocking his advance.
"You--you actually mean fght?"
why not? Isn't that cause enoughi
II not l will furnish more"
81 do not fight SPIES"
stop! That silly charge is merely
IN excuse. You do not believe It your
self. You wanted a quarrel yonder IN
he ballroom. The expression OF youi
Eyes was an insult. Don't evade now.
am here, wearing the uniform of the
British army. have every right OF q [
and you will cross swords,
,r I'll brand you coward wherever
here Is an English garrison"
saw the sudden fash Of his drawn /
blade. and flung up my own in guard.
Wait; not here. Captain" insisted (
quickly. Were far too near youi /
satchful 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- I
owed, eager enough to have done /
With the business. The stars CLEANED
IN tho naked weapons held In oui ,
lands, but we exchanged no words
NTH we had rounded the corner and ,
,ome forth into the open space DO