Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
CHAPTER VlIl--continued.


David flushed with resentment at
the mans coarseness, but he gave him
a civil good night. He planned TO
watch the house and confront Gran
mer when Lydia was not present.
"You won't stay a bit longer? I've
been kept overlong with the young
men across the river-they're set of
Jolly dogs. You won't stayH Good
night, my boy!"
The nRn was evidently laboring IN
der an excitement not wholly due to
wine; David had not taken a dozen
steps when he heard CraHmer burst
out In an eXultant whisper that was
louder than he realized:
"weil, daughter, my work is donel"
'Hushi" said Lydia sharply. and
drew him within doors.
David stopped short in his tracks.
There was not a moment to lose.
Without doubt, Cranmer had finished
his work as a spy and was ready to
leave, laden with information that
would be Of value to the British,
should war actually be declared.
What a jolly, ingenious guest the
Kentuckians must have found hint
He set his Jaws firmly together and
took a quick step toward the cabin.
1t might not be too late. A thread Of
light shone from the crack of the
heavy door.
"Mr. Cranmerw he called.
There was the sound of q chair
moved hastily back from q table, and
the figure of Cranmer was outlined
In the candlellght.
"Weil?" he asked suspiciously.
Il have forgotten a matter that
wished to speak to you about, sir"
said David. His voice was without q
trace of agitation.
There was q moments pause.
Cranmer peered into the darkness.
well, If it's no great matter I'll
Just step outside again."
He closed the door behind him and
came forward with hearty ftiendli-
ness in his voice:
"What can do for you. my lad?"
David breathed a sigh Of relief. It
was time to come to action.
"TIl trouble you for those plans,
Cranmer," he said quietly.
The man recoiled step and David
heard him draw in his breath sharply.
But the night hid his expression and
he summoned blustering:
"Plans? What plans? Young man,
you choose a strange hour to joke in"
"You are well aware this is no Joke,
Cranmer. I want those plans of Fort
Eteuben."
"Fort Steuben! Well, damme, if
this isn't impudence! If you've some
what TO say, say it, and be done with
this foolishness."
David took step forward.
"You know well enough what /
mean. I know that you are here as
one of England's spies. You have
made notes concerning Fort Steuben.
want them"
An inarticulate roar of rage burst
from Cranmer. His voice shook with
suppressed fury.
$50 that's what you've been doing,
you dirty whelpl Spying on me while
you pretended to court my daughter
I'll break you with my two hands, you
dogl III"
He choked with rage and hurled his
bulk at David. But, with a litheness
newborn In the wilderness, David
stepped quickly to one side and drove
his long right arm full at the Eng
lishman's distorted face. The blow
went straight to the jaw, with the mo-
mentum of slnewy body behind it
and the spy went down with q grunt
In flash David had leaped upon him
pinioning his arms with his knees
while he tore open the mans waist
coat and thrust his hand quickly into
his pockets. A fat bundle of papers
rewarded his search and he rose t
his feet with an ejaculation of thank
fitness. Cranmer groaned weakly
and stroye in vain to rise.
sect upp said David grimly. "Youl
game is done for. One word from me
and you hang at sunrise. But, FOL
your daughters sake, I'll give you {
chance for your life. Get out O.
Clarksburg tonight and I'll hold thes,
papers. You know where to go-you
Indian friends will find hole for yol
In the wilderness, doubtless. Go
And may God forgive your
He was conscious Of no feeling O
citation, but only of an unbearable re
greet that life should be so sordid; an,
of sickenlng sorrow for the poor cir
whose father had forced her with hin
along this shameful road. When h.
had gained the tavern, he examine,
the bundle of papers with heay,
heart amning evidence, sketches O
a dozen forts along the frontier, dc
tailed descriptions of the garrison O
each. He folded them up CAREFUL