The state herald., 1913-01-10

sir. There's been a fight and rob-
berry"
That's plain to be seen; are these
all the bedies!"
Eyes, sir. but the house is upside
down from end to end"
"You saw no onef No British SOL
diers3"
shook my head. conscious Of the
fierce grip with which l was being
held. A couple Of the men dragged
out the body from behind the stairs.
and as the face came into the light.
the colonel's eyes saw It. heard the
sharp breath expelled throughshis lips,
as he stared down into those ghastly
features.
Good Lord! Mike! What in the
name Of heaven does this meanf He
was supposed to be with Claire!"
There must be some mistake,
Colonel Mortimer" insisted the other
officer gravely. Perhaps we can get
the truth out Of this pumpkin. II we
take the lash to him."
understood In fash. and as swift
ly chose a course Of action. This
gray-headed colonel was her father.
and would serve her in this emergen-
cy without thought Of my own danger.
No threat Of whip would open my
lips. but memory would.
Come. you dog!" burst out the
colonel flercely. you know more than
you have told. Speak up. or weIl skin
you alive"
II will. Colonel Mortimer" l said.
looking him straight In the eyes. Not
because OF your threats. but because
wish to serve you. Now know who
you are. and will tell you all know
about this whole affair"
"Was-was my daughter here7" he
interrupted.
Yes, SIR"
my God! And Eric7"
mot to my knowiedge-there was
man called Peter. this fellow, and a
black slave or two. They were all
saw"
But why should Claire have been
here" he asked as though dazed, "un-
less she came to meet her brothery I
supposed her safe in the CITY,"
Il do not pretend to understand the
cause OF her presence. But II you
listen to my story perhaps you may
know what to do" paused an instant
to get grip on my thoughts. need
not tell all. confess my identity. or
mention my personal relations with
the daughter 81 am u soldier Colonel
Mortimer. in Maxwell's brigade OF
Washington's army. What brought me
here has nothing to do with the pres
ent story. was In the fight over yon-
der near Mount Laurel night before
last when We captured Delavan's for
age train"
what" burst In the dragoon on
GER. Was Delavan defeated. thens
Hadn't Grant Joined him7"
Yes to both questions. sir. Della
van was killed, and Grant surrendered.
He and his men were. paroled, and
started for Philadelphia last evening
from here"
From here," incredulousiy. That
must be a lie colonel. for Mount Lau-
rel is between here and the city"
\ --,sc.Srtnriesr, ~ Is no lle," I re.
torted promptly. looking the young
fool In the eyes. Il was hiding here
for reasons OF my own when they
came tramping In along TINT road
about the middle OF the forenoon yes.
terdny. There was near n hundred
Hcssians and Rangers. with two Ger.
man officers. and Grant. heard them
tell Mistress Mortimer this was the
nearest place where they were sure
OF finding provisions. and that they In.
tended TO remain until night. don't
know what happened after that, ex.
cept that the officers went inside, and
the men marched around to the back
to eat their breakfast"
I what became OF your"
"oh. had other business, and never
got back nlong here until Just Mt day.
light this morning. Then found
things this way"
you don't know yhnt occurred.
then7"
mo moro than you do. but I've got
my opiuioH' u hhS-oTuHt ana MS
fellows must have left as soon an II
was dark. tnking the west rond. which
wes tho cause OF your missing them.
II 10 likely from this nnnn Mikes body,
that your daughter and her party were
! still In tho house. II couf,lnt havo
been much lntor when these othcrs
got hero and made tho attack. Mike
must have fought thom nt tho front
door. but that was nli tho fight made;
there's no sign OF any struggle inside -
Then thoy never got Clnire." dc.
clnrcd Mortimer positively. That's a
certainty. Beldon."
"shc would have fought. sir7"
Like tiger. know my little girl.
And. besides. Petor would have died