The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
TERRY CHALLENGES THE SERGEANT.

heart. and the time was passing mos
pleasantly when they were interrupted
by the coming Of Dan Riordan. who hat
ridden at top speed from his inn to tel
Gerald that the man left behind b!
Burke had discovered the dead French
man In the hamper and was riding bacl
| to give the information to his master
Dan had been a horse trainer on the Cur
| ragh of Kildare In his younger days
and was a superb horesman, therefore
on an excellent mount. the horse lef
behind by Terry. he was able 10 place
long distance between him and Burke.
| messenger.
| Watching their opportunity, Gerald wal
smuggled into the house by Lady Moya
| and Kathleen, and there fitted out with q
| disguise composed OF an old dress be
longing to the broad ad-shouldered wife Of
| one of the tenants OF the estate. They
got him out in a crowd Of peasants who
| had heard of the death OF Master Gerald
and had come up TO see II they could
| be OF any service in preparing the body
| for burial, but were much relieved "a
find their idol still alive. So complete
was the disguise that the sentry pushed
Gerald out OF the gate, telling him 10
| begone out OF the place or he would put
him under arrest Our hero lost no time
| In putting a good piece of the old road
between him and Ballymara, and made
for a place in the Wicklow Hills where
Dan R!ordan had a secret cave in which
were stored supplies for the insurgents.
The escape Of Gerald was not an IN
start too soon. He was but a short
distance away from the castle when
Brian Burke rode furiously up and de-
manded to see the body OF O'Donnell.
Lady Moya, to gain time for Gerald.
sought to stop him. hut Burke. acting
on his authority as deputy lieutenant of
the county compelled Mai. Grimston TO
open the door OF the chapel. and then,
pistol in hand. he dashed in. Uttering
a curse on the stupidity OF the military
he returned to tell Grimston that the
prisoner had escaped
A pursuit was at once organized and
a company Of soldiers followed the
track Of Gerald across the hills. where
his footsteps in the mud from the recent
rain were readily discernible They were
aided in the search by information given
by Adelaide Fancourt. an Englishwoman n
living in Ballymara as a guest of Lady
Moya. This woman had fallen desperate
ly in love with Gerald but. realizing that
she could never win him, was determined
that nors else Should have him and
would rather betray him than see him
married to Lady Moya
On the information furnished by Miss
Fancourt. the military. led by Burke.
crossed bogs and hills and finally over
took Lady Moya- who dressed as a
country girl. had ridden across the coun-
try to give Gerald warning OF the pur-
suit knowing that Gerald could not be
far away the soldiers secured the hills.
Burke. who knew the country better
than any Of them. soon discovered the
hiding place OF O'Donnell and Dan and
gave the alarm.
Gerald from his hiding place noted the
approach Of the soldiers and called Dan.
who had thrown himrelf down On 4
bed Of rushes in the corner of the cave.
We are caught like rats in a trap.
Dan. What Is the best thing to do"
Make a dash for It," replied Dan quiet
ly. The old rebel was as cool as though
he were talking about going for his
usual morning walk. Just then Brian
Burke came up the path and was about
to Cross the log that stretched across
the chasm and served as foot bridge
for those In the cave. Geraid's temper
rose and he clenched his hands tightly
while a dangerous gleam flashed in his
eyes. Dan tried to push him aside.
Let me make a start and I may
draw their fire. They'll not hit me-
never fear. And when 1 draw the fire.
you get away across the hills"
Gerald pushed him back. His face was
pale and his breath came short and
fast as he answered:
mo. am not going to miss the chance
to get even with Burke, You take ad-
vantage Of my fight with him and get
away the best you can" Dan saw there
was no argument possible and drew
aside to await events. Burke in his rage
had lost all sense of caution, and clutch
ing his pistol dashed up to the mouth Of
the cave. calling on Gerald to come out !
and surrender. As the latter came out
Burke pulled the trigger, but there was |
only a flash in the pan, and before he |
could reprime the weapon Gerald was
upon him, and then came a life and |
ieath struggle on the edge OF the preci- |
pice. The men turned and twisted about |
10 that it was impossible for the military |
below who had them covered with their |
nuskets to shoot Gerald without hitting |
Burke. Dan, who. anxiously watching |
hem from the cave, had them covered
with a gun loaded with slugs. ready to
,ut an end to Burke IL he could get the
,hance, but realizing there was as much
LANCER Of killing Gerald as Burke IL he
ired, was keeping them covered. but
.ursing his luck as the struggle went on.
Burke. though older than Gerald, was q
powerful man. and IL was all the young
Ithlete could do to hold his own. Finally
'outh and skin told. and a wrestling
rick gave Gerald a master hold on
Burke. and with a supreme effort tossed
i'm over the cliff into the torrent below.
Before the red coats could recover from
heir astoniShment and fire on him, he
ashed across the bridge and over the
ill.
At Ballymara Castle the next morning
he anxiety was intense. Not a soul inl