"_
He made the sign of the cross, rose, brushed the dirt from his knees and
put on his hat.
"He was a coward and died an ugly death, but I am glad I did not kill
him."
"Yes, we were spared murder," said Claiborne; and when they had trodden
out the fire and scattered the embers into the stream, they climbed the
steep side of the gap and turned toward the bungalow. Oscar trudged
silently at Claiborne's side, and neither spoke. Both were worn to the
point of exhaustion by the events of the long day; the stubborn patience
and fidelity of the little man touched a chord in Claiborne. Almost
unconsciously he threw his arm across Oscar's shoulders and walked thus
beside him as they traversed the battle-field of the morning.
"You knew Mr. Armitage when he was a boy?" asked Claiborne.
"Yes; in the Austrian forest, on his father's place--the Count Ferdinand
von Stroebel. The young captain's mother died when he was a child; his
father was the great statesman, and did much for the Schomburgs and
Austria; but it did not aid his disposition--no?"
The secret service men had come by way of the Springs, and were waiting
at the bungalow to report to Claiborne.
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