Part 37 (2/2)
His commander's hand thrust in his face a clutch of papers, folded--letters, they see of the hand that held them
”You knohat I want, Shannon! I want the rest of these--I want the last one of them! Give it to rip of a hand hard as steel He did not ht be the next act of this man, who seemed half a mado on ”There must be another--there ht these letters Give me the last one of theth Lewis shook the boy as a dog ht a rat ”Answer me!”
”Captain, I cannot!” broke out Shannon
”What? Then there is another?”
”I'll not answer! I'll stand ain the heavy hand on his shoulder
”There will be no trial!” he heard the hoarse voice of his co ”I cannot sleep I must have the last one There is another!”
Shannon laid a hand on the iron wrist
”How do you know?” he faltered ”Why do you think----”
”Am I not your leader? Is it not ht you had covered your trail, but it was plain I know you are thethese letters to me from her
I need not name her, and you shall not! For what reason you did this--by what plan--I do not know, but I know you did it You were absent each ti to be cunning! You are young, Shannon, you have sos--you write letters--love letters, perhaps! You are Irish--you have sentiment There is romance about you--_you_ are thea woman, she knew, she chose well; but it is ns
”Give me that letter! I am your officer”
”Captain, I will not!”
”I tell you I cannot sleep! Give it tosleep here and now! What? You still refuse?”
”Yes, I'll not be driven to it You say I'ive up a woman's secret--it's a question of honor, Captain There is a woman concerned, as you know”
”Yes!”
”And I pro to either of you I would die at your order now, as you know; but you have no right to order this, and I'll not answer!”
The hand closed at his throat The boy could not speak, but still Meriwether Lewis growled on at him
”Shannon! Speak! Why have you kept secrets froun to tell me--tell me all!”