The state herald., 1916-05-26
CHAPTER ~.
Into tho Enemies Hands.

ne udgOT lay uedu, Will my uiooo-
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 fioated the face of the girl.
the girl who had waved to me in the
road. The vision brought back to me
coolness and determination. felt
through the pockets OF the dead man
and found knife. keys and 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 fed with 1t in his
possession.
Intent now on my one purpose Of
discovery, my mind active and alert,
began a 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 fight-
must be equally guilty. This wa. the
only conclusion possible. and the
knowledge that ] was left there alone
rendered my own position precarious
Harwood had surely never ventured
into this doubtful region without hav-
ing soldiers within call. no doubt In
the village. who. II he failed to appear
when expected, would search for him.
cry OF the dead body. must be safely
beyond reach. II found there. no de-
fense. no asseveration OF innocence,
would ever save me from condemna.
tion. Their vengeance would be swift
and merciless.
Thinking now only OF my own es.
cape unobseryed. | 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 i'm.
mhculate blue. buckling the belt about
ny 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
II was 80 lonely and still all about
that felt a return OF confidence. a
renewed courage. The house behind
me, and the stable before. were mere
outlines. scarcely discernible through
the gloom. Once safely in the saddle,
! eircled the gloom OF the house 81.
lently. and followed the roadway to
the gate
Not a light cleaned in any direction
and could recall no other house near
by. While II remained In view could
not remove my eyes from the mansion
had Just left or forget the dead body
lying there In the dark Tho shyupy
OF my horse at the gate caused m. to
note the black something lying
against the post. AZ first I deemed II
n mere shadow. but the animal would
no, respond even to the spur. and I
dismounted better to ascertain the
cause OF his fright The negro lay
there, dead M his master. n knife
thrust Ia his heart. Then II was Tay.
ior alone who had done the foul deed.
There was nothing could do but Zee
swiftly through the night My own
position was now far too desperate to
permit OF my giving any alarm. or
seeking TO trace the murderer To fall
into Union hands would be my death
HA'Nl'hhAf' W Ahhi Nbuu y
fate. aud my duty lay In carrying out
the orders Of "old Jack" To allow
myself to be captured would spoil
everything
rode toward Hot Springs as rap
Idly ~ ! dared watehful Of every
deepening shadow. until came to the
tfrt struggling houses, These we're
dark and silent. aud no, 10 much N a
dog bafkod m ! walked my horse eau
tiouhiy forward toward the main
street saw but one dim llgh, ttrcam'
ihf through an uncurtRined window 9i
what looked like law oifco. and
passed close enough TO learn that a
group Of men within were playlhs
cards II was highly probable these
belonged TO tho majors escort
Isssod the place usobseryed and rode