The evening world. Newspaper, August 9, 1916, Page 13

Mowe Oe) rehoeinke O8ArTEOmM Mate lerrns of the Meret Line rom Beth lane the teem the uniter Forme ft the eneme's orm, Grtivet ie New York from Regent te meet of the Kings offen bn Amerion ee Mowe lore me Ue hoe Pithewt srowine oe sh tee 6 lam Pe GA wie be wnt be tm erbet under fant OF he ee ee ree ore ole * maa ‘Missing arial wim wie whiners thet oho Dm eed be le in daneer om be fe mek Grant lh anoiner fom whew abe ba tuto @ duel errainl vy te anand ont inetead of caling te dha * fF *4? fy un sion tron be 0 Gaving rabter sumewhet under munnoon oF the British. He biden Lewreme frome oyusd FOO @ cavalry wader Grant aod ot dusk Lier pide of Ww bila Parveil's wen wis have ten tmembled for a wat alla phe guatied We inure end Delavan. CHAPTER X1. (OonUnued ) The Capture of the Wagon Train, HERW was « leap of fam from both sides the re lighting up (hat gash in the olay book as though It was an Inferno, the red and yel- 4 low glow cleaving the night asunder with ear-splitting roar, | was on ay foot, my rifle spitting, yet hardly con- potous of my act, stunned by the sud- denness of the reports, confused by Ahose black figure. leaping forward ‘ through the weird glare. I saw and heard, and yet it was all a confused medley, in which I bore active part While scarcely realizing its signifi- cance. 1 saw men reel stumbling back, eome falling heavily; I heard shouts, oaths, cries of pain, the piercing shrieks of stricken animals; there was the crunch of blows, a wild, inhuman cheer, a gruff order yelled above the uproar, the rush of bodies hardly distinguishable, The thin line of Hessians were flung aside ae though they were paper men; eager hands gripped the astounded Rangers and dragged them from their saddies, it a ferce hand- to-hand melee so swiftly fought as to be over with almost in a minute, and yet so desperate the narrow roadway was strewn with bodies, Farrell saw it all over, bis whistle sounded again, stilli the uproar. Up to that moment he was beside me; with the echoing of the shrill blast he bad disappoared, It was Duval who emerged from the wreck of the train, demanding eurrender. “Who commands here?” he shouted, ‘Speak up quick. bere Was hesitancy, and thon out of the black mass huddled against the bank I recognized Grant's voic suppose 1 do; has any one Captain Delavan?" “He foll at the first fire, sir,” an- swered some one huskily, Grant stepped forth into the moon- light, barebeaded, bis sword in band, “Then 1 aim the senior officer,” hi announcod, his voice shaking vlightly, “Who are you?" “Camden minute men, ? Do you you in command?" al; “but I represent the commander,’ ‘I deal with the one responsible in this afvair and demand terms, Who is your leader? Duval smiled, turning his head in- quiringly. “| don't think you have much choice,” he commented dryly, “How- ver, perhaps you are not too proud to talk to w regular who outranks you —I present Major Lawrence of the Continental Line,” Surprised as | was by being thus . suddenly thrust forward into supreme @uthority, 1 as instantly understood the purpose, and stepped to the front Grant stared at my face in the gleam of the smoking torch, almost as though he looked upon @ Khost i ou His hatred of me made him obstl- nate, but the utter helplessness of their position was too apparent to be ignored, A Hessian muttered some- thing in German, and Grant dropped the point of his sword with aa oath, “Good,” 1 said prompuly, “bieu- tenant, have your men disarm the prisoners.” Duval singled out the gf from among the oluers, and brought them forward to where 1 stood, There were but three—Grant and two Hes- glans, 1 looked at them keenl alling the slight figure of the L tenant with the boy's voice, Could the lad have been shot, or what had become of him? ‘Are you three all that are left?” I questioned bluntly, "Wno com- mManded the vanguard?’ The laud got away, with others, sir? broke in a new votce at my back, ‘They wheeled and rode through us, across the water. We thought the horse guard would get them over there, but 1 guess they didn't; anyhow there was no firing, The flows must have turned ia uni bank and rode like he to this incident, and not grotful that the boy had r d, 1 gave the necessary ors, standing under the torchlight full view, and waited while a squad f partisans rounded up the dis- armed prisoners and guarded them down tho siope to the edge of the ‘etream, Duval had disappeared, but as T @tood there looking about for him to Bay woodby, a young country fellow ame up hurriedly from out the dark- er u're wanted down thar,” he sald, MY LADY OF DOUBT BY RANDALL PARRISH A romance of the Revolution with hero and heroine brought together in a series of nerve- trying adventures threaded on o mystery that deepens with every chapter. With the Jerk of @ thumb over hie} shoulder, “The Tory vftioer eee ye” 1 went as he directed rulty road, my newly epirop slong behind in an open spac leamiy. by . hin the fire radtue We ‘ I wald rather sternly “what te it? He cleared his throat, evidently an certain how beat to express himself "Why did you ask so many qu tons about Deiavan's jeuter “he began sullenty, “What were you trying to Bnd out? CHAPTER XII. A Capture. | HAT was the matter with) the fellow? Could he have sent for me merely to that question "The jieutenant,” 1 repeated, not | prepared for a direct reply, “Why, 1 hardly know--curtosity largely.” | lie stared at me in manifest un bell “Was (hat al “AML What else could you au It was dark, only @ little gleam of | moon revealed outlines, 1 couldn't distinguish the face, but when be failed to appear after the Ment | re membered bin, and was afraid he had been burt. Now 1 want to know what you mean, Who was the lad?” He hesitated a moment, but what ever it Was which had first inspired him te question me, was too strong | to be thrown aside, “Did-did Mistress you eacape frou asked bluntly, That i entirely my affair, ou ask the lady herself? Now #eo heres" and dus voice took on the tone of a bully, “1 intend to tell you something Mt will be worlu your walle to remember Claire Morumer is going to ve my Wilewmy Wile War is one this, but if you interfere in my personal witairs Gkain 1am golug to kul you, His hianer was so disagreeable that 1 isstantly determined ty have @n end, “if that 1# all you requested an in- terview for, Capt, Grany” 1 said ii trouble you tv return to Mortimer help | Phtiadeypaia?” ue | Why dk 1 fokowed him closely bi toward the tire, Then | turned back up the road to where the men were yet busy about the Wagons, spoke a few words to Duval, he exploining to me tho best route toward the river crossing at Burlington, and thea swung into the saddle and gent the black forward to the crest of the ridge, The silence of the night, the monotony of the landscape, caused my mind to drift backward over the rupidly occurring events of the past two days, Why should Claire Mort. mer have saved me from capture? What could have caused her so sud- denly to array herself against those who wore nearost her tn life, to as- Sista mere stranger? Who was the eit 1 felt a sudden determination to learn the truth, to mo with her again under pleasanter circumstances. There Was but one way in which this might be accomplished, I would seek out the brother on moment duty would of accomplishment ap clear, so easy, that I ceased ti and began to plan, My hoi fallen into a jong, swinging lope, bearing me forward rapidly; The moon had disappeared, but the sky was glittering with stars, and I could dis- tinguish the main features of tho country traversed, I waa on the sum~- mit of a alight ridge, but the road swerved to the right, leading down into a broad valley, There were no signs of habitations, until I round the edae of a small grove and came suddenly upon a little village of @ dozen houses on elther side of the highway. Thexo were wrapped in darkness, apparently deserted, shape- less appearing structures, although I thought one had the appearance of a tavern, and another seemed a store, There was a well in front of this last, and water sparkled in @ log rough beside it, My horse stopped, burying his nostrils in the water, and sutden- jo aware of my own thirst, I down from the saddle. My hands were upon the well rope when without warning I was gripped from behind and = flung down Into the dirt of the road, I made a deaperate effort to break away, but two men held me, one with knee pressed into my chest, the other up- itting the butt of a pistol over my head, There was not a word spoken, but I could see they were tn uniform, although the fellow khealing on mo had the features and long black hair of an Indian, My horse started to bolt, but his rein was gripped, and then a third figure, mounted, rode into the range of my viston, “Search him for weapons, pab.” sald a boyish voice "There are pistols in the saddle holsters, but he may have other Then tie him up as quick as you can There was no mistaking my cap- tors—the young dragoon Heutenant and the three who had escaped with him, “Holst him up he said shortly, Tone- briefly. on the black, lads,” reining back out of the way. “Delavan's horse, isn't 1t? Yes, tie his feet underneath, and one of you keep a hand on the reins, Peter, you and Cass ride with him, | want Tonepah with me, Al ready? We'll take the east road,” Some one struck the horse, and he plunged forward, swerving sharply to the right in response to the stron hand on his bit, LT swayed in’ the saddle, but the bonds held, and we went loping forward into the night, It was a new country to me that we traversed, a rolling country, but not thickly settled, although the road ap- peared to be a well-beaten track, It may have been two miles further along, when the Licu at and his Indian companion. wh suddenly to the right and, without slackening speed, rode through an open gate ana up & gravelled roadway, circling through a grove of trees to the front door of a great aquare mansion. It was dark and silent, a wide poreh in front supported by huge AU! broad fight of steps leading from the THIS PosiTiON Wis JUST Suit You: TWh LADY SAYS THERE'S viWv WITTE WORK + «¢ —? , pillare, a driveway, The young officer turned ‘ake tho prisoner to the lower room, Veter,” he ordered curly, “Ti decide to-morrow if he can be of any use to us.” Tho two fellows loosened the rope about my ankles, and Peter waddling ahead, tho Kraybeard gripping my arm, We climbed the steps and en- the hall, A tall, slim negro, evidently a house servant from bis sleek appearance, eyeing me ourious~ ly, hanued the Uitte fellow @ second lighted candle, and the three of us Went tramping along the wide hall, past the circllag stairs, until we came to a door at the rear, This the black flung open, without a word, t was lod down into the basement, Al- most before I realized what was 0% curring, I had been thrust into & square apartinent, the door behind me closed and locked, There was nothing L could do but wait for morning; nota sound reacked me from without, and before Lr ized the possibility 1 was fast asleep, 1 must have slept long and sound- ly, for when | finally awoke a gleam of sun lay the full length of the room and food Was upon the table, Some one—Peter, no doubt—had entered and departed without: aro: nk IN I had hardly reached this decision when the door opened and he stood there gaging at mo with sphinxlike stupidity, “T trust, sir, you slept well,” he said soothingly, “and that there re- mains nothing more you desire, sir? If not, Lam requested to conduct you to the library, Ah, thank you, sir this way, please." He st aside, etatuelike, bis eyes Jooking direculy past me, and pointed with dignity to the open door, obeyed the calm movement of that hand as though tt had been @ military order, but, as [ stepped into the twi- light of the outer basement, I sud- denly perceived tho presence there of the attendant graybeard, He moved in advance, and 1 followed, aware that Peter was closely at my heels. Thus We proceeded up the stairs and in his into the upper passage, The gray beard threw open « door, stand aside as though on guard, and 1 siepped across the threshold, A glance told ine bere was a library, Not only in name, but in fact, @ large square room, well lighted, the fur- niture madogany, shining like glass, three of the walls ined with books, mostly in sombre bindings, | My rapid glimpse about ended in Peter standing in dixnined silence barely within the door, his hand upon whe Knob, “Pam authorised, sir,” he sa! impressively, Kaeing directly my shoulder, Hot a feature expre: ing emotion, » permit you to re- main here oa parole,’ “Parole! But to td 8 whom ta this myself, sir This may seem allghtly uncouvestional, sir, but trust you Will repose sufficient con- fidence In me not to object, The sole requirements are (hat you remain in this room until gent for.” That will not be long? “I think not, gir.” And who will send for met” Peter's eyes calmly surveyed me, but without expression. at am quite unable to answer that, air.” I sank back into the upholstered chair, and for a moment after ho had c.osed the door I did not move. ‘Then, searcely knowing Whether to laug! @f swear over the situation, 1 crogeed oe E MPoY MENT T acorn in his voice. Now YOU CAN DUST THE ROOMS, MAKE THE BEDS, AND SWEEP THE PORCH / NOW YOu CAN Go BED AND REST, FOR WHILE TOMORROW THE WORK the room and gazed out through the window. Far from the winding drive- way, half concealed behind the trees, @ body of British troops was tramp- ing toward the house. CHAPTER XI. A New Combinction. Y fret thought was that this must prove @ trap, and 1 drew hastily back behind the curtain, The advancing body was less than a hundred strong, Queen's Rangers and Hessians from their uniforms, straggling along on foot, limping, dusty, and without arms, Grant, with the two Hessian officers, was in advance, and the former strode directly toward the house, while the majority of his fol- lowing flung themascives at full length on the ground, as though utterly ex- hausted, Then Peter's voico said sol- emnly, as if announcing @ distin. guished guest: ‘Capt. Alfred Grant!" There was an exclamation of sur-! prise, a quick exchange of sentences indistinguishable, although I was sure of Grant's peculiar accent, and the other voice wu that of the young Light Dragoon Lieutenant. Uncer- tain what best to do, I stole toward the door and gripped the Knob, This was the only Known way out, for 1 dare not venture jo use the window, his Then Grant spoke, volce loud enough to be easily b “How did we come where else could we &« rebels stripped us clean; have food, This w the nearest place where we werr certain of get ting any, But what brings 5 “That must remain my secre Grant—for the present.” "Oh, very well, 1 thought it might have some connection with Bric’s presence in this neighborhood.” “With Erie! What do you mean? Have you seen him?" es, 1 saw him that is about half the reason why 1 led my men back here1 wanted to find out if he was hiding about the old place, Is it true you haven't seen him?" "Quite true; indeed I had no reason to suppose him in the Jerseys at this tine.” Grant remained silent, probably not wholly convinced that he was being we . last night, and told the truth, and yet not venturing &! to state openly his suspicions. “Ot course,” he explained rather lamely, “I couldn't altogether blame you for concealing the boy if he had shown up here, but you will reallae that as a King's officer 1 have a se ous duty to perform.” “And sv you camo here to for him?’ [could feel the | rch ter “In bis father's home “LT certainly did," angrily, “I shall search the house from cellar to gare ret before I leave.” 1230 AM. (ou HAD IT EASY TODAY, LL START IN ON “Very well, sir,” and the incensed Heutenant pushed back his chate. “Then wo clearly understand each other at last, If you search this hous do it by force, or in any way you . but expect no assistance from I closed the crack of the door as he came forth into the hall, having no desire to bo caught listening. My own position was more unpleasant and hazardous than ever, Whatever reason the lieutenant might have for holding me prisoner, T was con- vinced he possessed no knowledge as to my real identity. The probability was that after an interview I would be released. Hut Grant would recog- nize me instantly, and he proposed searching the house, room by room, aceking this man Eric, I must make my escape first. L had my hand on the knob of the door, when it was opened quietly from without, and [ Was startled by the sudden appear. ance of Peter, “You will pardon the delay, sir,” he said calmiy, “But circumstances have arisen changing the original plans. Wil you kindly me?" 1 followed meekly enougn, led the way up the bevad at the second story, turning €9 t in the upper hall, and comin) pause before a partially opencd 6 “You will enter, sir, While 1 .etucn to the guests below.” With one glance into his perfectly 4 countenance, half sus- new trick, 1 stepped oor, across the t “Under me Major Lawrence, it would give mo pleasure to welcome you to the hos- pitalites of Elmhurst.” 1 swung about ax on @ pivot and saw her standing with one hand upon the high back of @ chair, her Dlue eyes smiling merrily, “You have not suspected? she asked, “You did not know this wi my_ home?" “Nothing was further from my thoughts,” I exclaimed hastily, “All I knew of your home was that it was Kituated somewhere in the Jerseys But walt, perhaps I begin to under. stand—the lieutenant who brought mo here; his yvice has been echoing in my ears all night in familiarity. Ho is some near relative of youre thia Eric?" “Yea; I told you, did [ not, that we are twins? The physical resemblance and not here?” in no dan- but, Major you are, Fortunately this house Ja not without its secrets, for when built by my grandfather this waa the frontier Please fi it with eyem to the front window, Yes, so; now do not look around until I tell you." 1 heard ber 4s the room, her skirt rusting slightly, and then the faint clicking of some delicately ad- justed mechanism. Aa this sound Ceased her voice asain spoke, Yow, Major, the way 18 opened for @ safe retreat.” Sho was standing at one side of TAKE THE EVENING WORLD WITH YOU ON YOUR VACATION So that you will not miss any of the weekly novels and may continue to enjoy the daily magazine, comic and other special features, Order The Evening World Mailed to Your Summer Address Include them in your summer reading. ITS TIME To PUT THE BABY To BED. ——- | | what had been the fireplace but now the entire lower portion of the gre chimney had bien swung aside, re- vealing an opening amply = large ough for the entrance of a man, I ok one step forward to where [ could perceive the beginning of a narrow winding stair leading down into Intense blackness, Then 1 glanced aside into her eyes “The concea it in perfect,” I ex- elaimed in admiration, "Where does the staircace lead?” 'To a very comfortable room unde: ground, it had not been used for a generation until this war began, You Will be oblixed to grope your way down the ‘alrs, but at the bottom will dinco.or flint and steel, and a lantern with ample supply of candles, Peter will bring you food, if you need remain there for long.” I waited for something more, some explanation of what all this con- cealed. “You could scarcely expect me to be entirely without curtosity, IT have been captured on the — highwa brought here a prisoner and he under guard all night, I au a myself in Bri only to dis- that y again inter- to save Surely there must be a key to all thin mystery, If, as I suspect, It was your brother, Erte, who led the attack on me, having mistaken me for another, then what was his purpose? And - come of Brie? bilsiseugnnes “I think you suspect already, an should far rather tell you the tran than have you learn it in some other way, The Lieutenant of Light Dragoons who attacked was not my brot (aida teat. alaat nine not Eric? And yet you knew “Very w indeed," her eyes fall- Ing, “because it was mynelt”™ , pee haus CHAPTER XIV. Entombed. HAD not suspected It; how- ever obvious It may appear now to those who read this tale, the possibility that she had been masquerading in an officer's uniform, indulging in warlike deeds, had never once oc- curred to me, "You must enter the passage at once,” she said, “Wait a moment, Major, You have papers you desire to give at once into the handa of Gen, Washington, I have with me an Indian who could take them across the Delaware to-night, Will you con- fide them to me Strange as her actions seemed, I was compelled to trust her, Why shoud I not? She was saving my life, and she had it in her power, by the mere speaking of @ word, to betray me to those who would take the papers from me by force, Without @ word I took them from an inner pocket and gave them to her, “Tonepah shall leave within the hour," she promised, thrusting the snail packet into the bosom of her dress, “Now 6 within, Major, and 1 will close the de 1 did as she requ click of the lock be ing As instantly plunged into darkness, There was nothing dangerous about the passage, but with only the bare stone wall to touch with the hand, I Was obliged grope along biladly, hinge, no sealed in he sistance of fr ‘ Nie frat object on sitered Wasa rough table, the eur © of wh 1 explored, discoverin rel be t With rete? | atrack 4 yellow fame reveaied Opposite me was a bunk slightly ele vated, containing & blanket or two, nd a fairly nfortable ehatr built from a ba An old and hat une from a nail at the head of the bunk, On # shelf near earthen erock, and tw beneath this, on the off gun and tw could not ° of being thin dismal n@te, 7 was uny way of door waa not ked only from with» ply throw off buried alive in wondered if th escape, If that» locked and unte out, re to ascertain led ma to take candle tn hand and climb the cireular stalroase, exer wall as TL passed upward ‘sled noth tertor of the chimney rev tne Convineed of the lity of the a higher the pas. To my surprise the vonditions » were practically the same, Had 1 not entered at Uiis point 1 could never have been convinced that there waa 10 opening. From within it de- fled dixcovery, for nothing confronted my eyes but mortared stone, [could trace no crack, no remblance of @ { apring. T felt along inch by Inch, with my the surfo finger ti pressing against each Heht tr arity, but without re- | ult. My r held to the side wall heard nothing — apparently 1 was leasly, but for the an nis without; no effor Gn my part could ever bring release. I gripped tho old musket as t only instrument at hand, and began testing the walls, Three sides I rapped, recelving the same dead, dull response. Then to an_ idle, Matleas blow there came a hollow, wooden sound, that caused the heart to leap into the throat. Half crazed by this good fortune, T caught up the inch of candle, and held it before the wall. The dim light scarcely served as an ald, #0 Ingent- ously had the door been painted In resemblance to the mortared atone. I was compelled to sound again, inch by Inch, with the gun barrel bet could determine the exact dimensions of the opening. Then L could trace the slight crack where the wood was fitted, nor could T have done this but for the warping of @ board, Wild with apprehension leat my light fall before the ry work could be ac- complished, L drew out the single- bladed knife from my pocket, an ran widening this crack, Fevertably a | worked thia waa slow of accom- plishment, yet sliver by sliver the alight aperture gr until | wedged in the gun barrel, and pried out the new courage throbbing through my veins I groped my way back to the table after Mint and ateel, and relit the candle fragment, ahad- owing the flame with both palms as 1 returned to where the plank had wed aside, There had thick and of hard wood mposing the entrance to the tun- nel, but I found it impoasible to dis- lodge the second, and was compelled row opening. myself in a contracted passageway, not to exceed three feet in width, and perhaps five from floor to roof, ‘The candle waa sputtering with a final effort to remain alight when I came to the first serious obstruction, 1 had barely time in which to mark th bstacle before the et, leaving me in a blackness #0 profound It was like a weight, With groping fin situation, as that b candle failed had had fallen, letting down a mass of earth, but was wedged in such a way as to leave a small opening above the floor, barely sufficient for a man to wiggle through, Slowly, barely ad- vancing an inch at @ time, | began blindly groping for the passage. The opening grew more contracted; I could searcely fo myself forward, digging fingers and toes into the har earth floor, the obstructing timber seraping my body. Again and again Ta» against an unsurpassable twice 1 dug through a mass of fal dirt, once for three solid feet, throw- Ing the loosened earth either side of me, and pushing it back with my feet, thus utterly blocking all chance of retreat, Scarcely was this accom- plished when another fall from above came, half burying head and shoul- ders, and compelling me to do the work over, The alr grew foul and sluggish, but [was tolling for life, and dug at the debris madly, reckless of what might fall from above, Bet- ter to be crushed than die of suffo~ cation, and the very desperation with which I strove proved my salvation, For what remained of the roof held, and T struggled through into the firmer gallery beyond, faint from ex- hauation, yet as quickly reviving In the fresher atr, I had reached the end of the passage before I compre- hended the truth. It opened in the of a gulley, coming out between the roots of ag tree, and could only have been discovered sheerest accident, It was early dawn, the eastern sky that shade of pale Kray whieh pre cedes the sun, a few, white, fleecy clouds sailing high above, already tinged with red reflection, T must have beer, in that earth prison since ‘a I verified the through NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL SAND-LOCKED By HOLMAN DAY A trearure-hunting sory. Three million dollars in gold bare was the price, buried under only a little sand and water; but diving for it brought to its seekers startling adventures that will thrill the reader, BEGINS IN NEXT MONDAY’ 1 4nd wore gold loops in bis ears, 5 EVENING WORLD vniog of the previews day; i em that expires those whe about house Wee to the be an apple OF t beoween and & low fence Inclos+ ine 4 garden nen of the J could gate but glimpe through the inter+ was large, linpow d hove ne but it old yet stirring ke showing further te but | had to m neo the cause clearly=the vuidering have remaing of what mi wen a large barn. T advan in that direction, akirting the or bi and a row of deserted rhent 1 could were exhibited house had ite door bat~ ber, evidently used 7 threshold, and many of th and barrela within had been smashed with axes, The «round all about had been trams pled by horses’ hoofs, and only @ smouldering fragment of the a! remained 1 stared about perplexed, unable to decipher the meaning of such destruc- tion, Surely Grant would never dare such @ deed with his unarmed force, Hesides Elmhurst was the property ot loyalist, ay! the Colonel of Bis nent, Not even the madness of anger would justify #0 wanton an act. Whatever the mystery, [ could never Hope to solve it loitering there; the house itself would doubtless reveal the story, and I turned in that direction, akirting the fence, yet exercising care, for there might still remain defond- ors within, behind those green olinds, to mistake me for an nothil no sign of | through the trees of the orchard ana came out upon the grassplot facing the front porch, The sun was up now and I could perceive each detail. ‘Thero was a smashed window to the right, @ green shut! nging deject- edly by one hinge; the great it door stood wide open, and the body of @ dead man lay across the threshold, a dark stain of blood extending across the porch floor. rH Ee CHAPTER XV. The Queen’s Rangers. BULLET bad etruck hand ratl, sbattering the supports, and the atepe were erarred splintered. ‘Sbe man face upward, his feet inside the way, one aide of his head in. Ho was roughly dressed len shirt and patched small dil complexion dark envugh for a mu- latto, with hands sears? and twisted. Surely the fellow wae uo soldier; appeared more to me like one had followed the sea. I stepped hia body, and glanced the the hall. The chandelier was tered, the glass gleaming under the stair rail brokeu into a splinter, and @ seound man, 5 through the eye, rested half upright propped against the lower step. He was a sandy bearded fellow, no bet- ter dressed than the one without, but with a belt about staircase, clad in loag cavi and above these, barely sho’ » the green cloth of the Queen's Then Grant had not gove when this attack was made, or olee be had left some men behind? I body out into the light eo I might neo the face—it was the Irishman who had helped in my capture 1 pushed forward into the foome of the lower floor, more than ever im- pressed by their original magnifi- cence, Now, however, they were all confusion, furniture broken and fun; aside, walls hacked, dishes smashed into fragments. The scene was eick- ening tn tts evidence of wanton hate. Yet 1 found no more bodies, or proof of further resistance, Apparently the only serious fighting’ had occurred when the front door was burst open. Had the other occupants of the house fled——up the staire? Or even out some back way? I climbed the ateps, only to discover aimilar scenes above every room had been ransacked, beds pulled apart, drawers opened, and the contents scattered about promiscu- ously, In what must have been Mis- tresa Claire's private apart mt 1 stood with beating heart about at the ruin disclosed, The large closet had been swept clean, gar. ments slashed with kniv and left in rags; drawers turned upside down in search after Jewels; the very cur- tains torn from the windows, Itwas @ scene of vandalism of which vaga- bonds alone would be guilty, I stepped across the pile of thin) to the window, glancing out at the still smouldering ruins of the stab! From the window where I stood ni a house waa visible, Just beyond the orchard the roads forked, a well travelled branch circling to the left, and disappear! over the edge of nil, Ae TF tr it with my eyes considerable body of mounted suddenly appeared on the summit, They were plainly a equadron of Brit- ish Dragoons, their arma and cross belts shining in the aun, in ite of the dust kicked up by ‘inelr horeew hoofa. ‘hey must have cut through the orchard, leaping the low fence, for heard the thud of hoofs even as drew back Into the upper hall. Thea & volce gave a sharp command, “Circle the men ‘about the house Simmons, ‘There is something wrong: here, and T saw a fellow at th per window as we came dows hill, Move quick, now!" (To Bo Continued? =k, - 8 Fe) fea) ase ait we Da eattnlageed