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Fe tenn eR a ggg CTS AIRE 4
THE LIBERTY BOYS
,
—
AND THE TRAITOR. 7
“You wish to see the commander-in-chief?” asked the
orderly, when Dick had entered.
“No,” replied Dick, quietly. “T wish to see you.”
. “Me?” The orderly. was surprised; and he. was dis-
| mayed, as well, but he ‘managed to conceal this fact pretty
well, for he was a very good actor. .
“Yes,” said Dick, slowly and impressively.
ask you a few questions.”
“Why should you wish to ask me ‘questions? the or-
derly demanded. “I am not allowed to talk abont army
affairs, sir, as you should know.”
“Oh, I guess there can be no objection to your answer-
ing a few questions,” coolly.
“I will answer any that you ask that are not relating to
the war, or to army affairs,” said the orderly. “I am for-
bidden to talk about those matters.” _
“I wish to ask you, questions oh. quite different sub-
jects from the war or the army affairs; indeed, I have one
question that I wish you would answer “promptly and
‘tnithfully.”
“I will try to do so. What is the question?”
“Why di you try to murder me last night?”
~ The orderly stired at Dick for almost half a minute, in
blank surprise. There was consternation in his eyes, also,
biit Dick did not read this; the Surprise that showed over-
shadowing all else.
“I guess he’s innocent, after all,” ‘the youth. thought.
“His voice makes me believe him innocent, too, for it is
not the voice of the fiend who threw me over the preci-
pice.”
“Why, what ate you talking about, Captain Slater?”
cried the orderly. “I never tried to miitder you or anyone
else last hight or any other time. I don’t understand what
you mean.’
“T guess you are telling the truth, ” ‘said Dick. “I was
mistaken in my suspicions. I’m sorry, but these are war
times, and anyone is likely to be suspected unjustly.”
Then Dick’strode out of the building and away, toward
the Liberty Boys’ quarters. — ns
“Ralston must have tried to murder Dick Slater. last
night, after his interview with me,” thought Hardy. “I
must see him and find out all. about it!”
“ef wish, to
| CHAPTER IV. oe
5
HARDY TAKES REFUGE IN FLIGHT.
Hardy was on the anxious ‘seat all that day, for he could
get no opportunity to sec Ralston during the daytime.
As soon as it was dark, however, Ralston put in an
appearance, ‘and the two repaired to the attic.
‘What did you do to Dick Slater last night?” asked
Hardy eagerly as soon as they were in his room.
-°“T threw him over the precipice,” was the reply."
“Great Guns! You threw him over the precipice, and
yet failed to kill him?”
{
“Yes; or even injure him, so far as I could see.”
“How did it happen? . How did he escape?” we
Ralston explained, and then asked:
““But how did you know I had tried to kill him?”
“Because he came here and accused me of having been’
the one who did the work.”
“He did?” in surprise.
“Yes. »
“{ wonder what made him think you were the guilty
party?” !
“J don’t know; but my guess is that he reasoned that
I was the one person, besides the officers, who had a good
chance to know he had been assigned to’the work of fer-
reting out the traitor, and he jumped to the conclusion
that I was the person who had attempted to take his
life.”
“What did you say, when he accused you?”
“Oh, I put on a bold front and laughed at the idea that
I would do such a thing.” i
“And what did he say then?”
“He said he believed me, and that he did not +t think I was
the person, after all.”
“Ah! I wonder what made him become satisfied of that
so quickly?”
“T don’t know.”
Both were thoughtful for a | few moments, and then
Hardy asked :
“Did you say anything when you threw him over the
precipice?” :
Ralston started slightly, and looked at his confederate
quickly.
“Yes, I did say something .? he replied, slowly; “I said,
‘Die, you blasted bloodhound? or something like that.” -
probably has a good ear for voices, and he knew that my
voice was not the’ one he heard last night when he, was
thrown over the bluff.”
Ralston looked at his companion in rather a disconcerted
manner. aod
“Jove; you will have 1 to be on your * guait I tell you.
It is my belief that Dick Slater is a dangerous fellow.’ ”
“I guess you are ‘right, Hardy.”
- “T am sure of it; in fact, I am so coiifidetit that sooner
or later he will learn all, and ferret us out, that I am in-
clined to a desire to get away from here. »
“That is foolishness.”
“YT don’t think so.”
“I do; if we are careful he cannot ferret us out.”
“Well, you don’t know what he can do. I am not will-
ing to take the chances.”
“It is my opinion: that if you were. to ‘slip away, you
would be in greater danger than if you remained here. no
“Why so?” : - oye yile ‘
“It is simple enough: It would be the'same as though
you were to tell-everybody'that you are the traitor’”:
“That may be. It may be construed as a confession of
guilt but what of it? I shall be far away: ~
“Then I'll tell you what I think, Ralston: Dick Slater