CHAPTER XX
AT CROSS PURPOSES
It could not be considered an unpleasant place of imprisonment, yet itwas useless for me to contrive any plans of immediate escape, for thedoor was securely locked, and two heavily armed dragoons sat within eyingme rather malevolently. My attempt at approaching the window wasinstantly checked by a threatening gesture, and I sat down in the readingchair to await developments. They could not muffle my ears, however, andI heard the swift hoof-beats of an approaching horse being riddenfuriously up the gravel driveway. At the door he was hastily checked, anda voice spoke peremptorily:
"Here you, take the rein!"
The fellow came up the steps hurriedly, almost ignoring the sentry at thedoor.
"I haven't time to stand here, you fool," he exclaimed roughly. "Myuniform is pass enough. I wish to see Colonel Mortimer at once--at once."There was a pause, and then the same voice, and I recognized it now asGrant's beyond a doubt. "Ah, Colonel, what in God's name has happenedhere? I heard that you were out hunting us at Farrell's blacksmith shop,and came back as swiftly as I could ride. But I never suspected this. Whowere the miscreants?"
"That is a question not yet answered, Captain Grant," replied Mortimerslowly. "It looks like the work of Pine Robbers. Do you recognize thisfellow?"
"Ay," and from the muffled tone he must have been bending over the body,"that is 'Tough' Sims, a lieutenant of 'Red' Fagin; there's one moredevil gone to hell. But when did the attack occur? We left here afterdark, and all was quiet enough then. Claire--"
"She was here then? I hardly believed it possible."
"I talked with her--quarrelled with her, indeed. Perhaps that was why sherefused to accompany us to Philadelphia. But what did you mean, Colonel,when you said you hardly believed it possible she was here? Did some onetell you?"
"Yes; we caught a fellow in the house when we arrived. He had no time forescape--rough-looking miscreant, claiming to be a Continental. We havehim under guard in the library."
"He confessed to the whole story?"
"Not a word; claimed to know nothing except that Claire was here. Said hesaw you, and then went away, not getting back again until this morning."
"The fellow is a liar, Colonel. Let me see him; I'll lash the truth outof his lips. Where did you say he was--in the library?"
I had barely time to rise to my feet when he entered. His eyes sweptacross the guard, and then centred upon me. Instantly they blazed withexcitement, although I noticed he took a sudden step backward in thefirst shock of surprise, his hand dropping to the butt of a pistol in hisbelt.
"By all the gods!" he exclaimed sharply. "If it isn't the spy! I miss thered jacket, but I know the face, Mister Lieutenant Fortesque."
"Major Lawrence, if you please," I returned quietly.
"We'll not quarrel over the name. I've had occasion to know you underboth; bearing one you was a spy, beneath the other a leader of banditti.I'll hang you with equal pleasure under either." Suddenly he seemed toremember where we were, and his face flushed with newly aroused rage."But first you'll explain what you are doing here at Elmhurst. Do youknow whose home this is?"
"Most assuredly," determined not to lose my temper, or to be moved by histhreats. "It is the property of Colonel Mortimer, of the Queen'sRangers."
"And--and you--you came here to again see--the daughter?" he questioned,as though half regretting the indiscretion of such a suspicion.
"Oh, no, Captain; you do the lady a grave injustice. I came here aprisoner, very much against my will, not even aware whose plantation thiswas. I had no suspicion that Mistress Mortimer was outside Philadelphiauntil I overheard your conversation with her."
"Overheard! You! In God's name, where were you--"
"In this room; with both doors ajar it was impossible not to hear. Youspoke somewhat angrily, you may remember, not finding the lady asgracious in her reception as expected."
The sarcasm in my tone stung him, but the surprise was so great that hecould only rip out an oath.
"I thought you would have also enjoyed swearing at that time," Icontinued coolly, "only you scarcely dared venture so far. You hadpreviously boasted to me of your engagement to the lady, and it naturallywas a surprise to observe how lovingly she greeted you--"
"Hell's acre!" he burst out. "Did the minx know you were there?"
"If you refer to Mistress Mortimer, I presume she suspected it. At leastshe came to me shortly thereafter."
"Then I understand better what troubled the girl. But, in God's name! howdid you ever escape me? I was in every room of the house."
I smiled pleasantly. There was nothing for me to gain, or lose, bygoading him, yet it was rather enjoyable.
"That, of course, I must naturally refuse to answer, Captain. I mightneed to resort to the same methods again."
"There will be small chance of your having opportunity. Mortimer willhang you fast enough when I tell my tale. Don't look for mercy at hishands, for he's prouder than Lucifer of his family honor."
He was out of the door, striding down the hall, bent on carrying out hispurpose. I heard his voice asking where the Colonel was to be found; thenthe guard closed the barrier between us. Very well, of the two I wouldrather leave my fate to Mortimer than to him, and felt profoundlygrateful that the Captain was not in command. Had he been I shoulddoubtless have been hung without the slightest formality of trial, butMortimer would at least hear my version first; indeed I could hardlybelieve he would issue so stringent orders without listening also to hisdaughter's story. I was an officer of rank; the consequences might proverather serious were I to be executed summarily, and without proper trial.No matter how hot-headed Colonel Mortimer might be, on an occasion likethis he would certainly require more convincing evidence than Grant'sunsupported statement, before pronouncing such a sentence. In truth Grantpossessed no facts, merely suspicions. He had reasons to believe me aspy, but there was not a paper on my body to confirm that suspicion, andmy having been in apparent command of the minute men in their attack onDelavan's foragers was no license for hanging. That was an incident ofwar, and might have occurred in the direct performance of a soldier'sduty. Altogether I was satisfied that Mortimer would merely hold meprisoner, reporting the affair to Clinton.
I had scarcely reasoned this out, however, when a corporal threw open thedoor, ordering my guard to conduct me into the Colonel's presence. I wastaken to the parlor, where the furniture had been somewhat rearranged,and found myself confronting Mortimer, the officer I had heard addressedas Seldon, and Grant. The latter was speaking vehemently:
"I tell you, Colonel, this has got to be done; he is a spy, and here forsome infamous purpose."
"Well, I've sent for the fellow, Grant; what more do you want? I'll givehim five minutes in which to explain, and that is all. Seldon, have themen go on ahead along the trail."
"Yes, sir, they are off already."
"Very well. Have our horses outside; we can catch up within a mile ortwo." He wheeled sharply about, and looked at me sternly. "Well, sir, Ihave very little time to waste on you at present, but I advise truthfulanswers. What is your name?"
"Allen Lawrence."
"You claim to be in the Continental service--what rank?"
"Major in the Maryland Line, Maxwell's Brigade."
"Dressed hurriedly, probably, and forgot your uniform."
"I have lately been serving with the Jersey militia, sir, as CaptainGrant can testify," I answered civilly.
"And Captain Grant is only too anxious," broke in that officerimpatiently. "If you will listen to me, Colonel, I'll tell you what Iknow in two minutes or less. It will settle this fellow's status."
Mortimer glanced from my face to that of the speaker, evidently attractedby the vindictiveness of the voice.
"All right, Grant, go on," he said shortly, "only I shall pass judgmentas a soldier, and not because of any personal quarrel. What is it youknow?"
"That this man came into Philadelphia three days ago dressed as anofficer of Britis
h Infantry. He claimed to be Lieutenant Fortesque, ofthe 42nd Foot, with despatches from New York. Howe vouched for him, andfurnished him with a pass and orderly. He put in the whole day studyingthe positions of our troops, and in the evening was a guest at theMischianza--Andre gave him a card, I heard--and danced there with yourdaughter. I doubted the man from our first meeting, and later picked upcertain rumors which convinced me he was a spy. Some words passed betweenus on the dancing floor, and as a consequence I asked the man to meet mebelow. Some one either told him he was suspected, or else he had theheart of a coward, for he failed to appear."
"Did you intend to fight him?"
"No; we planned an arrest. I reported to MacHugh what I had heard, and hehad Carter close at hand with a squad of the guard."
"A very pretty trick on mere suspicion," commented the Colonel in somedisgust. "But go on with your story."
Grant sucked in his breath quickly, evidently surprised at the remark.
"Claire was waiting for me upstairs in the dining-room, but after Carterhad scattered his men to the outposts, I took a turn about the grounds inhope of thus running across the fellow. Luck favored me, but, damn him,he jumped into me like a fighting cock, struck me in the face, andtaunted me into meeting him there and then."
"Good boy! the right stuff, eh, Seldon?"
"I supposed it all a bluff," went on Grant, paying no heed to theinterruption, although his cheeks flushed, "but we went at it, behind thepavilion, and I had pricked him twice, when the guard came up andseparated us. At that the fellow took to his heels, and, by Gad! gotaway--swam the Delaware, while we were beating the west shore. The next Isaw of him he was in command of those ragamuffins who attacked us outyonder. Now he shows up here looting this house on the trail of 'Red'Fagin. I'd hang him offhand if it was me."
Mortimer looked across at me earnestly, but with an expression of doubtin his eyes. As for myself I hardly knew what to say, or do. Grant had nocorroborative proof for his assertions, unless I was returned toPhiladelphia. I could emphatically deny that I was the man, insist on myright to a fair trial. But how could I account in any reasonable way formy presence at Elmhurst, or even successfully sustain my claim to being aContinental officer. I could not tell Colonel Mortimer that I had beentaken prisoner by his daughter, masquerading as a lieutenant of dragoons.Apparently he knew nothing of this escapade, and she would scarcelyforgive me for exposure; besides, for all I knew to the contrary, thegirl might have thus been attempting to serve the Colonies, and a word ofbetrayal might seriously injure our cause. Of course this was merelyconjecture, a wild guess, although there was one fact I could not ignorein this connection--she had twice defended me from capture, and I darenot bring any suspicion upon her. Then Grant had barely mentioned hername, in no way involving her in my escape. Whatever the result my lipswere sealed. All this flashed over me before Mortimer spoke.
"Have you any proofs, sir, that you are an officer of Maxwell's brigade?"
"Not here," and I glanced down at my rough clothing, "yet with a littledelay that could be easily ascertained."
"On what service are you in the Jerseys?"
"I must decline to answer."
"Were you in Philadelphia, wearing British uniform three days ago?"
"If I should say no, it would be merely my word against CaptainGrant--you would doubtless prefer to believe him."
Grant whispered in his ear, the Colonel listening quietly.
"I am informed that you have already acknowledged being concealed in thishouse yesterday."
"I have, sir."
"Did any one know of your presence here?"
"I was brought here--a prisoner."
"What!" in decided surprise. "Prisoner to whom?"
"I was captured by three men, dressed as Queen's Rangers, on a road somemiles to the west. They made no explanation, although I have some reasonto believe I was mistaken for another. I was held in a strong room in thebasement overnight."
"You were not there when I searched the house," broke in Grant hoarsely.
"No," and I turned and smiled at him. "I had been brought upstairs beforeyou arrived."
"Then you saw your captors by daylight?"
"Two of them, yes--a man called Peter, and an Irish fellow, with chinbeard."
"What!" and Mortimer started forward. "Peter and Mike in uniform! This isbeyond belief. Were they alone?"
"They were apparently under the orders of a young lieutenant--the samewho had command of Delavan's advance guard. I was unable to distinguishthe lad's face."
"Delavan's advance guard!" and the Colonel turned toward Grant. "What doyou know about this, sir? Who was he?"
The Captain hesitated, shifting uneasily on his feet.
"I--I do not know, sir," he explained finally, driven to answer. "Imerely had a glimpse of the boy when I first joined the column. I--Ithought I recognized him, but was not sure."
"Who did you suppose him to be?"
"Your son, Eric, sir."
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