s; I
heard their voices without seeing them, and was thus driven to run
swiftly across an open space, memory guiding me toward the opposite
pavilion. Breathless, with heart beating fast, I crouched low in the
shadow, endeavoring to make out my more immediate surroundings. There
were no horses there, but I could clearly distinguish the stomping of
restless hoofs somewhere to the right. As I straightened up, determined
upon discovering an empty saddle if possible, the figure of a man
suddenly loomed directly in front, advancing toward me. In startled
surprise I took one step backward, but was too late. Already the eyes of
the newcomer had perceived my presence, and he sprang forward, tugging at
his sword.

"Hold on there! hold on!" he commanded shortly. "Who are you? What the
devil are you skulking about out here for?"

It was Grant beyond a doubt; I would recognize the peculiar snarl of that
voice in a thousand. He had not gone upstairs then; had not rejoined the
lady in the dining-room. What would she think of his absence? What would
she do when she realized its probable meaning? Someway I was not
frightened, at thus meeting him, but glad--if those others would only
keep away, and let us settle the affair between us. Here was his test--a
coward would cry out an alarm, summon the guard to his assistance, but,
if the fellow's nerve only held, or if he hated me badly enough, he'd
fight it out alone. All this came to me in a flash, and the words of
challenge spoken before he even grasped the thought of who I was.

"So I have discovered you, have I? Why did you fail to keep our
appointment within?"

He drew up sharply, with an oath, peering at me through the dark,
bewildered by my speech.

"The spy! Ye gods, what luck! Do you mean to insinuate I ran away, sir?"

"How else could I interpret it?" I questioned coolly, determined to taunt
him to action. "I waited where you told me till I was tired. Perhaps you
will oblige me by explaining your purpose."

He muttered something, but without comprehending its purport I went on
threateningly:

"And I think you made use of the word _spy_ just now. Did you mistake me
for another?"

"Mistake you? No; I'd know you in hell," he burst forth, anger making his
voice tremble. "I called you a spy, and you are one, you sneaking night
rat. You never waited for me in the parlor; if you had you'd now be under
arrest."

"Oh, so that was the plan?"

"Yes, that was it, Mister Lieutena