There was an exclamation of surprise, a quick exchange of sentences indistinguishable, although I was sure of Grant"s peculiar accent, and the other voice was that of the young Light Dragoon lieutenant. Uncertain what best to do I stole toward the door and gripped the k.n.o.b. This was the only known way out, for I dare not venture to use the window which was in plain view of those soldiers resting on the lawn. Whether Peter had retired or not, I possessed no means of knowing, yet I opened the door silently a bare inch to make sure. At the same instant my ears caught the lieutenant"s dismissing order, even as my eyes had glimpse of Swanson"s broad back blocking the open doorway of a room nearly opposite.
"That will do, Peter, for the present. Have the table prepared for three guests at once."
He backed out, casting a quick glance of caution in my direction, and disappeared down the hall, rubbing his bald head industriously. I opened the door wider, wondering if I dare venture upon slipping by un.o.bserved.
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud enough to be easily heard:
"How did we come here? Why, where else could we go? The d.a.m.ned rebels stripped us clean; we had to have food. This was the nearest place where we were certain of getting any. Of course I didn"t know you were here, but I did know our foragers had left Elmhurst alone, and that--for some cause which mystifies Clinton--these Jersey outlaws have been equally considerate. There was plenty to be had here, and I meant to have it in spite of the servants."
"You must have marched straight past your own place," the boyish voice interrupted.
"Well, what if we did. There was nothing there, as you know. The house has been stripped to a mere sh.e.l.l. Not a n.i.g.g.e.r left, nor a horse. I"d like to know what influence keeps this property untouched!"
"That"s easily answered. You forget we are a divided family, with fighting men on either side."
"Little these outlaws care for that."
"At least they appear to, as we remain unmolested. There has not been a raiding party halted here since the war began."
"Well, if you hadn"t been at home, there would have been one along now,"
burst forth Grant rather roughly. "Those fellows out there are desperate enough to sack the house if that was their only method of getting food.
And I promised they should have the chance."
"Oh, you did, indeed! That would have proven a friendly act."
"Necessity does not take much account of friendship. I was responsible for a hundred starving men. Under such conditions force would be justified. I doubt if I could control the fellows now if provisions should be refused."
"There is no necessity for indulging in threats, Captain Grant," said the boy"s voice coldly. "Elmhurst has never yet turned a soldier away in hunger. Peter will instruct what few servants remain to attend to the immediate needs of your men. May I ask how long you expect to remain?"
I thought Grant was walking nervously back and forth across the room.
"How long? Until night, probably. Then with a bite in our haversacks we"ll take the road again. That is, providing you condescend to act as our host for so long a time. Odds life! but this reception is not over warm to my thinking."
"Elmhurst is not a tavern, sir."
"No; but the home of a loyalist--the commander of half those men out yonder. However I am not pleading for them, but myself personally. What welcome have I had? By all the G.o.ds, I was almost compelled to fight that bald-headed old fool to even gain admittance to the hall. Were those your orders?"
"a.s.suredly not. But you must consider circ.u.mstances, and forgive Peter for being over zealous in my service. I received you as soon as I knew who you were."
"Yes," somewhat mollified, "I presume that is true, although you are chilly enough, the Lord knows. But what brings you here?"
"That must remain my secret, Captain Grant--for the present."
"Oh, very well. I thought it might have some connection with Eric"s presence in this neighborhood."
"With Eric! What do you mean? Have you seen him?"
"Ah! so I"ve got below the surface at last! I thought I might with that thrust. Yes, I saw him last night. I didn"t know what the devil the fellow was up to, but I thought I"d let him play out his game. It was a right nervy trick, so far as it went, but unfortunately the rebels came in before I discovered what it all led up to."
"You do not make it very clear to me."
"I told you it was not clear even to myself. This is all I know. When I joined Delavan last night just after dark, he had a young officer of Light Dragoons in charge of his advance guard. I merely got a glimpse of the fellow as we rode in, and he looked so devilishly like Eric that I asked Delavan who the lad was. He said he had joined at Mount Holly with three men, was going through to Philadelphia with despatches from New York, and was only too glad of escort the rest of the way. Being short of officers Delavan gave him charge of the van."
"Did he recognize you?"
"I hardly think so; it was pretty dark, and I was put on guard over the rear wagons. I supposed I would have ample opportunity to learn the truth after it became daylight."
"But you believed him to be Eric?"
"Yes, and after the attack I was convinced. He and the three men with him bolted and got away. Must have run at the first fire, for the fellows had us completely hemmed in. It was Eric all right, and that is about half the reason why I led my men back here--I wanted to find out if he was hiding about the old place. Is it true you haven"t seen him?"
"Quite true; indeed I had no reason to suppose him in the Jerseys at this time."
Grant remained silent, probably not wholly convinced that he was being told the truth, and yet not venturing to state openly his suspicions.
However the other said no more, and finally the Ranger felt compelled to answer.
"Of course," he explained rather lamely, "I couldn"t altogether blame you for concealing the boy if he had shown up here, but you will realize that as a King"s officer I have a serious duty to perform."
"You would apprehend Eric? Would betray him into British hands? Is that your meaning, Captain Grant?"
"What else could I do? Don"t be unreasonable! Boy as he is, no one in all that crew of ragam.u.f.fins has done us greater harm. Again and again he has learned our secrets and brought Washington information of our plans. How he does it is the mystery of this department--Howe has personally offered a thousand pounds for his arrest. Surely you know that. Last night I thought we had him in our power, but the very devil seems to protect him from capture, even when luck brings him fairly within our grip."
"And so you came here to search for him?" I could feel the bitter scorn in the voice. "In his father"s home!"
"I certainly did," angrily. "I shall search the house from cellar to garret before I leave."
"But you are on parole."
"d.a.m.n the parole. What do I care for a pledge given to a band of plundering outlaws? And what do I care for Eric? He chose for himself, and has no right to expect any mercy from me, and by all the G.o.ds, he"ll receive none. I half believe that attack last night was his planning, and that now you have him hidden away here. Now listen to me! I do not desire to be harsh, but I"m a soldier. My men are not armed, but there are enough out there to handle the servants barehanded. No one can get out of this house without being seen; I"ve attended to that."
"And you propose searching the rooms?"
"I do. If you had been a little more genial I might have exhibited greater courtesy. But I haven"t any use for Eric, and never had. Now you know the truth."
"It merely ill.u.s.trates more clearly your character."
"You are always free enough with your comments. I shall do my duty to the King."
"Very well, sir," and the incensed lieutenant pushed back his chair.
"Then we clearly understand each other at last. I am sincerely glad of it. From now on I shall never again be guilty of mistaking you for a friend or a gentleman. No, I have no wish to listen to another word; you have spoken frankly enough, and I understand the situation. Perhaps it is only anger, but it gives me the excuse I have been seeking after a long while in vain. Whatever claim you may have had upon my regard in the past is over with, forever over with, Captain Grant."
"But--but, surely--"
"I mean precisely that. You can cover your despicable actions with the gloss of military duty, but I know you now as a revengeful liar. Treat this house as you please. I refuse to have any more dealings or words with you. I"ll provision you and your men, as I would any others suffering from hunger, but that ends all. If you search this house do it by force, and in any way you please, but expect no a.s.sistance from me. I bid you good-day, sir, and will send Peter to call you when breakfast is ready."
I closed the crack of the door as he came forth into the hall, having no desire to be caught listening. My own position was more unpleasant and hazardous than ever. Whatever reason the lieutenant might have for holding me prisoner I was convinced he possessed no knowledge as to my real ident.i.ty. The probability was that after an interview I would be released. But Grant would recognize me instantly, and he proposed searching the house, room by room, seeking this man Eric. I must make my escape first. Yet how could this be accomplished? I heard Peter pa.s.s along the hall, and solemnly announce the serving of breakfast. He and Grant exchanged a few sentences, and then the latter strode to the front door, where he gave orders to the men. I watched the German officers come up the steps, while the majority of the others, forming into irregular line, marched around the corner of the house. A small squad remained, however, on guard, facing the front entrance.