The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-10-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
At Cross Purpooes.

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At Cross Purpooes.
1t could not be considered an un-
pleasant place Of imprisonment. yet
1t was useless for me to contrive any
plans Of immediate escape. for the
door was securely locked, and two
heavily armed Dragons sat within eye
Ing me rather malevolently. My at
tempt at approaching the window was
instantly checked by a threatening
gesture. and sat down in he reading
chair to await developments. They
could not muffle my ears. however.
and l heard the swift hoofbeats of an
approaching horse being ridden furi-
ously up the gravel driveway. At the
door he was hastily checked, and q
voice spoke peremptorily:
Here you. take the rein!"
The fellow came up the steps hur-
riedly, almost ignoring the sentry at
the door.
Il haven't time to stand here. you
fool" he exclaimed roughly. my uni
form is pass enough. I wish to see
Colonel Mortimer at once-at once"
There was pause, and then the same
voice, and l recognized 1t now as
Grants beyond a doubt "Ah, colonel,
what in Gods name has happened
here? l heard that you were out
hunting us at Farrell's blacksmith
shop. and came back as swiftly as I
could ride. But l never suspected
this. Who were the miscreants?" ?"
THAT Is question not yet an
cd Con ntnfr
timer slowly. TT looks like the work
of Pine Robbers. Do you recognize
this fellow"
"Ay," and from the muf1led tone he
must have been bending over the body,
that is Tough Sims, lieutenant of
Red Fagin; there's one more devil
gone to hell. But when did the at
tack occur? We left here after dark,
and all was quiet enough then.
Claire"
She was here. then? 1 hardly be-
lieved it possible"
Il talked with her-quarreled with
her. indeed. Perhaps that was why
she refused to accompany US to Phila-
delphia. But what did you mean.
colonel. when you said you hardly be-
lieved it possible she was here? Did
some one tell your
Yes; we caught a fellow in the
honse when we arrived He had no
time for escape-rough-look miscre-
ant, claiming to be Continental We
have him under guard in the library"
He confessed to the whole story"
Not word; claimed to know moth
ing except that Claire was here. Said
he saw you, and then went away. not
getting back again until this morn
ing"
THE fellow is liar, colonel Let
me see him; I'll lash the truth out of
his lips. Where did you say he was
in the library?"
l had barely time to rise to my feet
when he entered. His eyes swept
across the guard, and then centered
upon me. Instantly they blazed with
excitement, although noticed he took
sudden step backward in the first
shock of surprise. his hand dropping
to the butt of pistol in his belt.
by all the gods!" he exclaimed
sharply. III 1t isn't the spy! l miss
the red jacket. but I know the face,
Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."
Major Lawrence, II you please"
returned quietly.
We'll not quarrel over the name.
I've had occasion to know you under
both; bearing one you were spy,
beneath the other leader of banditti
I'll hang you with equal pleasure un-
der either" Suddenly he seemed to
remember where we were, and his
face flushed with newly aroused rage.
But first you'll explain what you are
doing here at Elmhurst. Do you know
whose home this is?"
Most assuredly," determined not to
lose my temper, or to be moved by
his threats. 1T is the property of
Colonel Mortimer. OF the Queens
Rangers"
"And-and you-you came here to
again see-the daughter" he oues-
toned, as though half regretting the
indiscretion Of such suspicion.
oh. no. captain; you do the lady
a grave injustice. came here
prisoner. very much against nv will.
not even aware whose plantation this