The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-10-18

The negro turned from the road
through gate, and Erskine heard
the thud of his horses hoofs across
the meadow turf. He rode on Slow
1y, hitched Firefly as close to the edge
of the road as was safe, and crept to
the edge of the garden, where he
could peer through the hedge. The
hall door was open and the hallway
lighted; so was the dining room and
there were lights in Barbara's room.
There were no noises, not even of ami
NAL life and no figures moving about
or In the house. What could he dot
One thing at least, no matter what
happened to hiin--he could number
Dane Grey's days and make this night
his last on earth. 1t would probably
he his own last night, too. Impa-
tiently he crawled back to the edge Of
the road. More quickly than he ex-
pected, he saw Ephraim's figure slip
ping through the shadows toward him.
"Dey's JUS through supper" he re-
ported. Miss Barbury didn't eat wild
'em. She's up in her room. Dat I'D
der OFFICER been stormin' at Marse
Grey an hurryin' him up. Nanny
been hOldin' de little missus back all
she can. She say she got to make
like she heppin' her pack"
"Ephralm," said Erskine quickly,
go tell Mr.. Grey that one of his men
wants to see him right away at the
sundial. When he starts down the
path you run around the hedge and
be on hand in the bushes"
"Yassuh," and the boy showed his
teeth in a cOmprehending smile. 1t
was not long before he saw Grey's
tall figure easily emerge from the hall
door and stop full in the light. He
saw Ephraim slip around the corner
and Grey move to the end of the
porch, doubtless in answer to tile
black boys whispered summons. For
moment the two figures were mo-
tionless and then Erskine began to
Jingle acutely from head to foot. Grey
came swiftly down the great path,
which was radiant with moonlight.
AS Grey neared the dial Erskine
shadow, but Grey saw him and called
in low tone but sharply:
"Well, what Is it," With two PAGES
more Erskine stepped out into the
moonlight with his cooked pistol at
Grey's breast.
This" he said quietly. Make no
noise-and don't move" Grey was
startled but he caught his control in
stantly and without fear.
n
and SO, for that matter is-Benedict
Arnold"
Captain Grey corrected Grey in
solently.
Il do not recognize your rank. To
me you are merely Traitor Grey"
You are entitled to unusual free
dom of speech-under the circum-
stances"
II shall grant you the same free
DOM" Erskine replied quickly-'in a
moment. Twice you have said that
you would fight me with anything, any
| time, any place." Grey bowed slight
ly. II shall ask you to make those
words good and l shall accordingly
choose the weapons" Grey bowed
again. "Ephraim Tie boy stepped
| from the thicket.
"Ah," breathed Grey, that black
| devil !"
Ain you gwine to shoot him,
Marse Erskine?'
"Ephraim !" said Erskine, slip into
the hall very quietly and bring me the
| two rapiers on the wall"
Erskine addressed Grey. Il know
more of your career than you think,
Grey. You have been spy as well
as traitor. And now you are crown
! ing your infamy by weaving some
| spell over my cousin and trying to
| carry her away in the absence of her
father and brother, to what unhappi-
ness God only can know. can hardly
hope that you appreciate the honor
am doing you"
! "Not as much as l appreciate your
| courage and the risk you are taking"
Erskine smiled.
THE risk is perhaps less than you
think"
you have not been idle?"
Il have learned more of my IA
theirs swords than l knew when we
| used them last"
81 am glad-it will be more inter-
| esting." Erskine hooked toward the
house and moved impAiently.
| my brother officer has dined too
WE'LL" noted Grey placidly, land the
rest of my-er-retinue are gambling.
We are quite secure"
"Ahw Erskine breathed-he had
seen the black boy run down the steps
with something under one arm and
presently Ephraiin was in the shadow
of the thicket:
| give one to Mr.. Grey, Ephraim.
and the other to me. l believe YOU
said on that other occasion that there
was no choice of blades?"
quite right" Grey answered, skill
fully testing his bit Of STEEL
Keep well out of the way, Eph-
rnim." warned Erskine. land take this
pistol. You may need 1t. IL I am
wOrsted, to protect yourself"
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