The Washington times., 1913-05-16


n OR one second Aubrey could have
- sworn that he felt thrill run
through that tense and slender
body. on which he had laid hand
Next second he had to doubt the evi-
dencs Of his own senses.
Dtsadily, half smilingly. Trooper
stnndiger uptiited his deceptively boy
ish chin anl looked at him. with brown
eyes Of heavenly candor. =
Under your favor. SIR he said re-
specffuiiy. my name is called stran-
digsr-Friedel Strandiger."
In the group by the great door. squat
ted or sprawling almost at Aubrey's
feet, cards had gone to ground. and
eyes and mouths were wide.
Nothing had been said to charge the
air with sudden tempest. but Aubreys
manner left not the dullest man N
.Come you with mer' bade .ubrey.
angry with himself, with Won kersten.
brock. with the men who listened.
With fate that had played him such
A. Won Kerstenbroock. rising obedi-
emily. reached for his coat. Aubrey add
ed Sternly. Let that lie"'
For with military promptness he had
grasped the fact that. in all likelihood.
Won Kerstenbroock, last heard Of as
Cromwelrs captain, now was Crom-
wells spy, and in that case he must be
suffered to destroy nothing that he
Keep your hands from your pock-
etsr' Aubrey further bade-
''Gewissr said Won Kerstenbroock.
with unabated cheerfulness.
ward Fieldings quarters-Aubrey, with
knitted brows. hand on sword: Fielding.
dumb. bewildered, with Won Kersten-
brooks coat slung across his arm; Won
cerned. strolling between them: He still
was humming beneath his breath a
strain OF "Aennchen Won Tharau."
The men in the stable door scrarn-
bled to their feet and gaped after
their way turned and gazed
Then they gathered in knots to
shake their heads and wonder, or has
tened to hnd mates with whom to
share sufmises.
sham. ready, in its perilous state. to
hear and credit every rumor. was a
buxx with the story that Strandiger
Of Fielding's troop was by rights
Castingbroke, and since no honest man
need bear an alias, unquestionably a
traitor, q rebel. spy.
In half an hour there was but one
soul In the garrison who had not heard
the story in all its fanciful ramifica-
tons, and that was Thomsine Mus,
grove, who sat in her chamber behind
the door that she had bolted to shut
out the world that she would not
suffer look upon her shame.
For still she could not weep. She
knew that her young betrothed would
be borne TO his grave upon the NOR
row, and she was neither glad nor
sorry, and when she tried to think OF
him she found her thoughts straying.
now to little Henrietta, now to lost
days a. Alienthorn; m now S& to ner b;nb creams; mn.
the one place in that overcrowded
garrison that Dick Fielding called his
own. Aubrey turned on Won kersten-
brock
"WeI. Karl?" he said.
Won Kerstenbroock took the bull by
the horns. No use to deny his identity
Jack" he reproached. tits un-
friendly done of thee, thus to blare
out the truth to all the world. couldst
thou not guess that had reason good
to change my manner?
Th sheer impudence Of the speech |
took the breath from Aubrey. 1t was
who questioned ponderously:
Then you are not n strendigert gsrt-oo.k
confessed. with winning ingenuousness
my name is Won Kerstenbroock. and |
up q, last Christmas i held cJmmis-
sion in the Parliament army. Thea was
cast out OF the service; 80 ] came
unto Tamworth and there enlisted me
On the Kings side. under another
name"
Either you are grown a fool or hold
~ 80 to be-" Aubrey recovered his
ongue.
Strip, Karl! We are to search you"
I'm faith, Jack" said Won kersten-
,roock. az he rucked the shirt over his
,ead. zone would say that thou vert
,assing earnest to see me hang
At least Aubrey and Fielding did him
hat grace that they did not turn him
,ver to their troopers. Themselves they
ipped up the Innings Of bis cost and