Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

uN ay ey " 7 aio" “prt \ ( _ the hounds and ran with the hares. 116 in the Betworth house when he welcomed Betsy Osmond at the back door. He had watched the stairs to see that I did not surprize her before she could change to her usual garments. In doing this service he had been doing his mistress’ business. It was almost as if the old fellow hunted with This suspicion, however, did him an injustice; for he had had me at his mercy while I slept. The only line of thought through the enigma was to accept him as a true Whig, but not aggressive enough to combat the plans of Madame Betworth except when isolated from her as he was now in this empty Bloomingdale house. The food and drink gave me an optimistic outlook on life. I went to the window but the dusk along the edge of the woods was too thick, and I could distinguish nothing. Now that I was rested and refreshed I began to find my quarters too narrow. Also I became less fearful of self. My store of information was of no value unless I could - escape from. the island and report to my chief at Ramapo. All the discomforts of the last forty-eight hours seemed very far away as I yearned for the outdoor air. I even grew impatient that Socrates did not === come to me. I cautiously lifted the trap. All was quiet below. Were soldiers there they would be drinking and eating and there would be much noise. I knew there were no servants in the house. The temp- tation to lower my ladder and reconnoiter was overpowering. Before I could carry out my impulse I heard a soft foot-fall and the murmur of voices. Lowering the trap until it was all but closed I drew a pistol and waited. The butler was speaking and he was _ standing directly beneath the door; and he was saying: ‘“‘He’s soun’ ’sleep. But dere’s anodder ladder in de closet. Yo’ just wait en yo’ can go up.” “Aurry! Hurry!” a man’s voice softly I WAS much bewildered. If the butler had planned from the first to give me up why had he not done so when soldiers were in the house? Or when I was asleep? Yet here he was bring- ing men to invade my retreat. The end of the ladder began lifting the trap and I drew back, squatting on my heels with- both _ weapons ready. A lusty pounding on the . ~ Adventure front door caused ‘old Socrates to exclaim: “O my Lord ! Dey’s come! Up! Up! Pull de ladder after yo’! I mustn’t stay a second!”’ The trap stood upright and the ladder shook as some one began ascending it. The racket below increased, and deep voices were added to the blows on the door.. A form filled the opening and entered the loft. A second form, less bulky, followed. The first figure murmured: “Look out when he wakes. He’s armed.’ “He’s awake now,” I informed. ‘“Who the are you, and what do you want? My pistols are aiming at you two.” “Then don’t aim them any more. We’re in hiding like yourself. We’ve been pursued for hours.” “Then you must be Whigs,” I dubiously remarked; and I gave the parole, “ ‘To be retaken.’ ”’ ‘Manhattan,’ ” immediately whispered the two. I replaced my weapons and crept to the trap. From the sound of the newcomers’ | voices I knew they were on the ground floor, and after ten minutes of waiting it was plain they had no suspicions of our presence, for none made any move to investigate the house. One of the strangers started to draw up the ladder, but I checked him, say- ing, “Keep the trap open. I’m going down. I must know what they want.” “They want us.’ ‘We must know how long they will stay here. I intend to leave this place tonight— . very soon.’ I slipped down the ladder and into the hall. Several candles were burning in the hall below, and the large front room opening off of it was flooded with light. From the clatter of dishes and the clink of glasses I knew the butler was serving food and drink. Lying flat I thrust my head down to look through the balustrade. I could see into the lighted room but none of its inmates was in my line of vision. Fragments of their talk enlightened me, however. “What will madame and her fair daugh- ter think?” “They'll know nothing about it so long as they are held at Ramapo.” “It’s a ghastly shame. Let’s rescue ’em.”’ Captain Saleby’s voice. “Help them the most by catching these cursed spies! The island’s overrun with them.” Colonel Wentsel’s voice. . ao an a2 a — 2 oS => % ee Re Ho pre et, ans See “2