The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-01-14
CHAPTER ~.
Into the Enemies Hands.

Into the Enemies Hands.
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
oEce been my fathers friend. Out of
the mist f1oated 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 roll of
bills untouched, but not a scrap of pa
per. On the floor, partially concealed
by one arm. was large envelope, un-
addressed. roughly torn open. 1t was
come document, then. the murderer
sought, and he had fed with it 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 floor. kitchen in con-
siderable disorder. as though the serv-
ant had made no effort to complete his
work; but its outer door stood un-
latched. Sam must have gone with
the mountaineer in his hasty flight
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 hav-
ing soldiers within call, no doubt in
the village. who. if he failed to appear
when expected. would search for him.
Before they came. and made discov-
cry of the dead body. l must be safely
beyond reach. If found there, no de-
Tense, no asseveration 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. L felt my way into
the night with my bundle. This would
be Federal territory; or If not, al
ready, my nights ride would bring |
me we'll within their lines before |
dawn. slipped instantly out of the |
Soiled suit of gray and donned the i'm |
maculate blue, buckling the belt about
my waist, and securely hooking the
saber. Then | scooped out a 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, a
courage. The house behind
me, and the stable before, were mere
outlines. scarcely discernible through
the gloom. Once safely in the saddle,
circled the gloom Of the house 81
lently, and followed the roadway to
the gate
Not light cleaned in any direction
and could recall no other house near
by. While it remained in view could
not remove my eyes from the mansion
had just left, or forget the dead body
ying there In the dark. The shying
If rny horse at the gate caused me to
aote the black :, something lying c
against the post. At first deemed 1t !
! mere shadow, but the animal would
lot respond even to the spur, and
better to ascertain the l
,ause Of. his fright. The negro lay /
here, dead as his master. knife
Arust In his-heart. Then II was Tay-
or alone who had done the foul deed. I
There was nothing could do but fee +
wiftly through the night. My own
'osition was now far too desperate to G
erait OF my giving any alarm. or 4
ee1cing to trace the murderer. To fall C
10 Union hands would be my death q
irrespective of Harw00d's n
lte. and my duty lay in carrying out
b orders OF "Old Jack" To allow v
,yseif to be captured would spoil n
! rode toward Hot Springs as rap n
" - dared, watchful OF every =
eepcning shadow. until came to the Il
rst struggling houses. These were g
ark and silent. and not so much as X
81 barked as I walked my horse eau
ously forward toward the main m
rect / saw bat one dim Hight stream in
6 through an uncurtained window OF d
hat looked like = law ONCE, ana
lsaed close enough To learn that at
'oup Of men within we're playing OF
Irds II vas highly probable these 10
Dlongsd to the majors escort
lssed ~ place uSobserved and rose %