The state herald., 1913-02-28

under shelter OF the fence, even
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
caut'Dn. 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
ment
Tell me the rest Of your story"
said, speaking softly, "as we go along.
Where did Fagin take you?"
ITO a sand cave: we rode a night
and day to get there"
Treat you all right?"
"Well as he could, l suppose. had
enough to eat but was guarded close
ly. and the fellows were a bit rough"
Did you gain no inkling of what
they were up tot"
mo; the men | saw knew nothing,
twice. Once he came to assure him
self that was really myself. Some
body told him was with Delavan In
fight over near Lone Tree"
That was your sister"
What! You don't mean 1t was
Claire?"
But I do. | chanced to be in that
affair myself. and saw her. Later she.
with three others-Peter. an Indian.
and an Irishman-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 l have not
learned yet why she was with Della
van. or for whom she mistook me-"
The lad drew in his breath sharp
ly, gripping me by the shoulder.
by the Lord Harry!" he exclaimed
excitedly There isn't another girl
in the Colonies who would have done
It. I'll bet | can explain. but even I
didn't think she would ever have the
nerve to perform such a deed. told
you | left my papers there. l forgot
them where changed my clothes. You
see came out wearing the uniform OF
a British dragon lieutenant, and had
It all planned out to Join Delavan. 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 a courier rid
ing from Philadelphia to New York
with Clinton's plans OF evacuation.
Hamilton seemed to know all about
this. and sent me special instructions.
I talked OF It with Claire. planned how
! was going to waylay him. and to-
gether We fixed up those servants as
soldiers to help me carry out the de-
ception."
He paused. chuckling. and | halted.
eager to learn the rest.
And when you disappeared; when.
perhaps, she heard OF your capture.
or suspected II. she assumed the dis.
carded uniform and went forth In
your stead
That's II. Lawrence She would.
II she thought II was right: II she be-
lieved such an act necessary to save
my reputation u peN hh' iouhu 'ho
papers In my pocket, and mistook you
for Clinton's dispatch bearer"
There is no doubt OF IT," ! said So
berly. 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 a lie. by
riding into our lines day before yes.
terdny. bringing an exact report CT
where Clinton was marching. | didn't
see her, but | heard all about II. 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 Godl Are they here now7"
"They must have reached here early
yesterday morning. ! passed them on
the road at ten o'clock. Grant had
lust Joined their party. claiming to
bo hunting after desertcrs."
He clung to the fence rail. staring
out toward the house.
Grant DO you know. | believe
that fellow Is at the bottom OF this
whole afrair. He's In love with Claire.
and-and he's working some scheme
to gain power over her"
Several schemes. I think" ! 70.
turned heartily. "I've nipped two Of
them In tho bud already. Somoway.
Mortimer. he got possession OF those
instructions you received from Wash.
ington and Hamilton. I ran into him
over there on the lawn. back Of the
summer.house. Ho was threatening
Claire. trying to drive her into mar.
rying him offhand. We had . bit OF
fight. and ! got tho best of II. When
/ left wore his coat. and later found
your papers In his pocket Do you
remember how they were addrcsscdf"
He shook his head.
simply Mortimer II occurred to
mo ho could turn thcm over 10 Clin.
ton. accuse the colonel OF treason. and
share In tho connseation Of this es-
tate, or else hold them ms threat
...,.. ,,aur aiatar I hurnqd than |"