The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-11-05
CHAPTER ~.
Into .he EnemIes, ltands.


The major lay dead, with my blood
stained revolver evidently the
weapon which had struck the blow
lying beside him Dawn would reveal
the deed. and would be discovered
alone In the house. Only my wakeful-
ness. my desire to investigate. had In.
terfered with the complete success OF
this hideous plan. Taylor had pre-
pared himself for this emergency. had
deliberately taken the weapon for that
very purpose. Where had the fellow
gone? And what had become OF the
negro?
stood there. lamp In one hand and
revolver In the other. staring down at
the dead face OF this man who had
once been my fathers friend Out OF
the mist floated the face OF the girl.
the girl who had waved to me In the
road. The vision brought back to me
GOODNESS and determination. felt
through the pockets OF the dead man
and found knife. keys and a roll OF
bills untouched. but not scrap OF pa,
per On the floor, partially concealed
by one arm. was large envelope un-
addressed, roughly torn open. 1t was
some document. then. the murderer
sought, and he had hed with II In his
possession.
Intent now on my one purpose OF
discovery. my mind active and alert, |
began rapid search of the house.
The front door was fastened and
barred proving Taylor had not left
that way. There was but one other
room on that door. a kitchen in con
siderable disorder, as though the serv.
ant had made no effort to complete his
work; but Its outer door stood un.
iatched. Sam must have gone with
the mountaineer In his hasty fight--
must be equally guilty. This wa the
only conclusion possible, and the
knowledge that ! was left there alone
rendered my own position precarious.
HARDWOOD had surely never ventured
into this doubtful region without hay.
ing soldiers within call. no doubt in
the village. who. II he failed to appear
when expected. would search for him
Before they came and made discov,
cry OF the dead body. must be safely
beyond reach II found there, no de.
tense. no asseyeration of innocence
would ever save me from condemna.
ton. Their vengeance would be swift
and merciless
Thinking now only OF my own es
cape unobserved. felt my way into
the night with my bundle. This would
be Federal territory: or II not, al
ready. my nights ride would bring
me well within their lines before
dawn, slipped instantly out of the
soiled suit OF gray and donned the Inn
maculate blue. buckling the belt about
my waist. and securely hooking the
saber. Then ! scooped out hole In
the soft dirt and buried the old uni
form. tearing my pass into shreds
scattering the fragments broadcast
1t was so lonely and still all about
that ! felt return of confidence, q
renewed courage. The house behind
me. and the stable before. we're mere
outlines, scarcely discernible through
the gloom. Once safely In the saddle
I circled the gloom OF the house 81
iently. and followed the roadway tc
the gate
Not light cleaned In any direction
and l could recall no other house neal
by. While II remained In view l. coulC
not remove my eyes from the mansion
had Just left. or forget the dead body
lying there In the dark The shyins
OF my horse at the gate caused me tC
note the black something lyins
against the post At first deemed Il
a mere shadow. but the animal woulC
not respond even TO the spur, and
dismounted better to ascertain tn,
cause OF his fright. The negro lay
there. dead as his master. knife
thrust In his heart Then IL was Tay
Tor alone who had done the foul deed
There was nothing could do but fee
swiftly through the night. My owl
position was now far too desperate 4
permit OF my giving any alarm, Of
seeking to trace the murderer. To fai
into Union hands would be my deatl
warrant, Irrespective OF Harwoodi
fate. and my duty lay in carrying on
the orders OF "Old Jack" To ALLOW
myself to be captured would spot
everything
| rode toward Hot Springs as rap
idly as dared. watchful of ever
deepening shadow, until came to thu
first struggling houses. These wer'
dark and silent. and not SO much as I
dog barked as walked my horse eau
tiousIy forward toward the mali
x4~<.t \ oe an, y,,,t S,na air, lf9hf sfraa n,
inF through an uncurtained window 0
what looked like law office, ant
passed close enough TO learn that
group OF men within were playing
cards II was highly probable thes
beIonaed to the majors escort.
w,aaaed fhe Mace urobserved and rod