The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-01-11
CHAPTER VIII-Continued.

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 a set OF
Jolly dogs. You won't stay? Good
night, my boy"
The man was evidently laboring IN
der an excitement not wholly due to
wine: David had not taken a dozen
steps when he heard Cranmer burst
out In an exultant whisper that was
louder than he realized:
swell, daughter, my work is done !"
"Hush!' 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 jolly, ingenious guest the
Kentuckians must have found him!
He set his jaws firmly together and
took a quick step toward the cabin.
1t might not be too late. A thread of
heavy door.
Mr.. Cranmer !" he called.
There was the sound of a chair
moved hastily back from a table, and
the figure of Cranmer was outlined
in the candlelight.
"Well?" he asked Fsuspiciously.
81 have forgotten a matter that
I wished to speak to you about, sir"
said David. His voice was without a
trace of agitation.
There was 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 friendli-
ness in his voice:
what can ] do for you. my lad?"
David breathed q sigh of relief. It
was time to come to action.
'Tll trouble you for those plans,
Cranmer," he said quietly.
The man recoiled a step and David
heard him draw in his breath sharply.
But the night hid his expression and
he summoned clustering:
"Plans? What plans? Young man,
you choose a strange hour to joke in"
"YOu are well aware this is no joke,
Cranmer. 1 want those plans of Fort
Steuben."
"Fort Sterlben! Well, damme, If
this isn't impudence! If you've some
what to say, say it, and be done with
this fOOliShneSS."
David took a step forward.
you know well enough what I
mean. I know that you are here as
one of England's spies. You have
made notes concerning Fort Steuben.
i 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 whelp! Spying on me while
you pretended to court my daughter
I'll break you with my two hands, you
dog! I'll"
He choked with rage and hurled his
bulk at David. But, with EtheneSS
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 a sinewy body behind it,
and the spy went down with grunt.
u - doc1, noU;d bod Iaonod ,Ypon 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 to
his feet with an ejaculation of thank
fitness. Cranmer groaned weakly
and Strove in vain to rise.
"Get up!" said David gpimly. "Your
game is done for. One word from me,
and you hang at sunrise. But, for
your daughters sake, I'll give you a
chance for your life. Get out of
Clarksburg tonight and I'll hold these
papers. You know where to go-your
Indian friends will find hole for you
in the wilderness, doubtless. Col
And may God forgive you'll"
He was conscious of no feeling of
elation. but only of an unbearable re-
gret that life should be so Sordid; and
of a sickening sorrow for the poor girl
whose father had forced her with him
along this shameful road. When he
had gained the tavern, he examined
the bundle of papers with a heavy
heart-damning evidence, sketches of
a dozen forts along the frontier, de-
tailed descriptions of the garrison of
each. He folded them up carefully
and replaced them in his coat with a
sigh. At dawn he set off again for
Corydon.
But Cranmer tottered back into his
daughters room with the face Of a
dead man. "It's all upw he cried
in a CHASTITY whisper. 81 must get
away from here tonight. There's only
one chance to win yet-you'1l have
to stay here, my girl; I'll see Soul
tonight and set him upon this Lar
renee; and if he succeeds in getting
the plans back, you are to bring them
on to me at Detroit. God, how came he
to suspect You-did you-no, you're
NnndI1rf -