Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-09

WITH a lOl VI uleu We captured IN q
little sortie."
Taken prisoner"
Yes, but without resistance"
81 don't understand"
He let himself be taken. That's
one of their tricks for getting into our
lines when they want to bring a mes.
sage or give some signal"
you mean that they deliberately al
Glow themselves to be taken to Libby
PRISON."
yes, damn them!" said Arrelsford
harshiy. Il beg your pardon, ma am,
but"
Mrs. Varney waved her hand as II
Mr.. Arrelsford's oaths, like his pres
ence, were nothing to her.
I'VE were on the lookout for this
man, and we spotted him pretty quick.
ly. l gave orders not to search him,
and not to have his clothes taken
away from him, but to put him in with
the others and keep the closest watch
on him that was ever kept on a man.
We knew from his coming in that his
brother must be here in the city, and
he'd send a message to him the first
chance he got"
But Jonas, how could he"
Easily enough. He comes down TO
the prison to sell things to the prison.
ers with other negroes. We let him
pass in, watching him as we watch
them all. He fools around while. un.
I'll he gets a chance to brush against
this man Dumont My men are keep
ing that fellow under close observa.
ton, and they saw a piece of paper
pass between them. BY my orders
they gave no sign. We want to catch
the man to whom he is to deliver the
paper. He has the paper on him now"
Il will never believe it."
ut is true, and that Is the reason
for these men on the back porch that
You see. | have put others at every
window at the back Of the house. He
cant get away; he will have to give 1t
up"
And the man he gives it to will be
the man you want?" said Mrs. Varney.
Yes; but | can't wait long. If that
he will destroy it before we can jump
IN on him. l want the man, but want
the paper, too. Excuse me-" He
stepped to the back window. Cor
poral" he said softly. The long porch
window was open on account Of the
balmy air of the night, and soldier,
tattered and dusty, instantly appeared
sol, bod 1T
asked Arrelsford.
All quiet now, SIR
Very good" said Arrelsford. IT
was afraid he would get away. We've
got to get the paper. II we have the
paper, perhaps We can get the man. 1t
is the key to the game they are trying
to play against US, and without it the
man is helpless"
NO, no." urged Mrs. varney. "The
man he Is going to give 1t to, get him. D."
Yes, yes, of course" assented Ar
relsford; "but that paper might give
US a clue. II not. III make the Niger
tell. Damn him, III shoot 1t out Of
him How quickly can you get at
him from that door, corporal?"
in no time at ALL sir It's through
a hallway and across the dining room
He is In the pantry"
Well" said Arrelsford, take two
men. and"
Wait" said Mrs. Warney; II still
doubt your story, but | am glad to
help. Why don't you keep your men
out of sight and let me send for him
here, and then"
Arrelsford thought moment.
That may be the better plan" he
admitted. Get him in here and,
while you are talking to him, they
can seize him from behind. He won't
be able to do thing. Do you hear,
corporal?"
yes, SIR"
Keep your men out Of sight; get
them back there in the hall, and while
we're making him talk, send man
down each side and pin him. Hold him
stiff. He mustn't destroy any paper
he's got"
The corporal raised his hand In ga.
Lutte and left the room The men dis
appeared from the windows, and the
back porch looked as empty as before.
The whole discussion and the move.
ments of the men had been practically
noiseless.
Now, Mr.. Arrelsford. are you
ready"
Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Varney rang the bell on the in.
slant. The two watched each other in.
tently, and in moment old Martha
appeared at the door.
Did you-all ring. maam?"
Yes" said Mrs. Varney; ~ want
some one to send to the hospital"
"Luthah is out heah, ma'am."
Luther? He's too small, don't
want boy"
We'll, den, Jonas"
Yes, Jonas will do; tell him to
come in here Immediately"
"Yas'm."
Perhaps you had better sit down,
Mrs. Varney," said Arrelsford; "and II
you will permit me. will stand back
by the front window yonder."
That will be just as WE'LL" said
Mrs. Varney, seating herself near the
table, while Arrelsford, making no eff.
fort at concealment. stepped over to
the window Old Jonas entered the
door Just as they had placed them.
selves. He bowed low before Mrs.
Varney, entirely unsuspiclous OF any.
thing out Of the ordinary until his eye
fell on the tall form of Arrelsford.
He glanced furtively at the man for