The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-01-30

though sentry was posted there, and
we could creep up to the walls on the
opposite side unobserved. All we
needed TO do was to advance with
caution. Whispering directions into
the ears OF the others, ! moved for
ward slowly. Mortimer close TO my
shoulder. could see across the top
rail Of the fence, and the open space
beyond yielded no point OF conceal.
mcut.
Tell me the rest OF your story" !
said. speaking softly, "as we go along.
Where did Fagin take you?"
ITO sand cave; We rode a night
and day to ret there"
Treat you all right"
Wei rs he could, suppose ! had
enough TO eat, but was guarded close.
~, and the fellows were a bit rough
"Did you gain no inkling Of what
they were up tor"
NO the men ! saw knew nothing.
or pretended not to. | only saw Farin
twice Once he came TO assure him
self that ! was really myself. Some.
body told him ! was with Delayan in
light over near Lone Tree"
THAT was your sister"
What! You don't mean It was
Clalrc?"
But I do ! CHANGED to be in that
affair myself. and saw her. Later she,
with three othcrs-Potcr, an Indian,
and an lrishman--captured me. mis-.
taking me for some one else, and took
me to Elmhurst AS soon as she
learned my identity she acknowl.
edged her error. But | have not
learned yet why she was with Della.
van. or for whom she mlstook me-"
The lad drew in his breath sharp
ly, gripping me by the shoulder,
by the Lord Harry" he exclaimed
excitcdly. There isn't another girl
in the Colonies who would have done
IT, III bet can explain, but even !
didn't think she would ever have the
nerve to perform such n deed. told
you ! left my papers there. forgot
them whore ] changed my clothes. You
see ! came out wearing the uniform Of
Il British Dragon lieutenant. and had
Il all planned out to join Delayan. and
guide him toward Philadelphia over
the Lone Tree road. Just before left
our camp at Valley Forge on this trip
received orders from Washington TO
keep my eyes open for courier rid.
ing from Philadelphia to New York
with Clntons plans OF evacuation.
Hamilton seemed to know all about
this, and sent me special instructions.
was going to waylay him, and to.
gothcr we fixed up those servants as
soldiers to help me carry out the de-
ccption."
lie paused. chuckling, and l halted.
eager to learn the rest.
And when you disappeared; when,
perhaps. she heard Of your capture,
or suspected II, she assumed the dis
cardcd uniform and went forth In
your stead"
That's II, Lawrence. She would.
If she thought it was right; If she be-
licvcd such an act necessary to save
my reputation III bet she found the
papers in my pocket, and mistook you
for ClInton's dispatch bearer"
There is no doubt Of It," | said So
bcrly. And that wasn't all she did
to protect you. 1t was the talk at
Lees headquarters that you had de-
serted She stamped that n lie, by
riding into our lines day before yes.
terday, bringing an exact report OF
where Clinton was marching. didn't
see her. but ! heard all about It, and
you get the credit Washington told
me with his own lips. and granted her
permission TO remove your father, who
was badly wounded, to Elmhurst."
Good God! Are they here now"
They must have reached here early
yesterday morning. passed them on
the road at ten O'Clock. Grant had
Just Joined their party. claiming to
be hunting after deserters."
He chung to the fence rail. staring
out toward the house.
Grant! Do you know. believe
that fellow is at the bottom of this
whole affair He's In love with Claire.
and-and he's working some scheme
to gain power over her"
Several schemes, think" re-
turned heartily. 1--WE nipped two OF
them in the bud already. Someway,
Mortimer, he got possession of those
instructions you received from Wash.
ington and Hamilton. ran into him
over there on the lawn, back OF the
summer.house. He was threatening
Claire. trying to drive her into mar
rying him offhand. We had a bit of
fight, and got the best of 1t. When
| left wore his coat, and later found
your papers in his pocket. Do you
remember how they were addressed?"
He shook his head.
simply Mortimer II occurred to
me he could turn them over to Gin
ton, accuse the colonel OF treason. and
share In the confiscation of this cs
tate, or else hold them as n threat
over your sister. burned them"
He was silent for long minute;
breathing hard: then he thrust out his
hand and clasped mine.
CTo LIE CONTINUED)