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MY LADY OF DOUBT
BY RANDALL PARRISH
AUTHOR OF "LOVE UNDER FIRE," "MY LADY OF THE NORTH," ETC., ETC.
WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS IN FULL COLOR BY ALONZO KIMBALL
CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1911
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Copyright
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1911
Published October, 1911
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England
PRESS OF THE VAIL COMPANY
COSHOCTON, U. S. A.
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[Illustration: Claire]
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I A PERILOUS MISSION 9
CHAPTER II WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES 18
CHAPTER III THE FÊTE OF THE AFTERNOON 27
CHAPTER IV THE MISCHIANZA 38
CHAPTER V THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE 48
CHAPTER VI THE THREAT OF SWORDS 59
CHAPTER VII THE ONE HOPE 70
CHAPTER VIII THE BLACKSMITH 80
CHAPTER IX TANGLING THREADS 92
CHAPTER X WITH MINUTE MEN 103
CHAPTER XI THE CAPTURE OF THE WAGON TRAIN 113
CHAPTER XII A CAPTURE 124
CHAPTER XIII INTRODUCING PETER 134
CHAPTER XIV I INTERVIEW PETER 144
CHAPTER XV A NEW COMBINATION 154
CHAPTER XVI AGAIN THE LADY 164
CHAPTER XVII ENTOMBED 175
CHAPTER XVIII THE REMAINS OF TRAGEDY 186
CHAPTER XIX THE QUEEN'S RANGERS 196
CHAPTER XX AT CROSS PURPOSES 207
CHAPTER XXI AGAIN THE CELLAR-ROOM 219
CHAPTER XXII THE LADY'S PLAN 230
CHAPTER XXIII WORDS OF LOVE 241
CHAPTER XXIV I UNCOVER CAPTAIN GRANT 250
CHAPTER XXV BETWEEN LOVE AND DUTY 260
CHAPTER XXVI FORCING CLINTON TO BATTLE 269
CHAPTER XXVII THE FIGHT AT MONMOUTH 281
CHAPTER XXVIII THE ROAD TO PHILADELPHIA 291
CHAPTER XXIX THE ESCORT 301
CHAPTER XXX BEFORE GENERAL ARNOLD 310
CHAPTER XXXI I RUN ACROSS ERIC 320
CHAPTER XXXII WE ATTAIN THE HOUSE 332
CHAPTER XXXIII THEY SEND FOR CLAIRE 342
CHAPTER XXXIV A THREATENED MARRIAGE 351
CHAPTER XXXV THE FIGHT IN THE HALL 359
CHAPTER XXXVI SEARCHING FOR CLAIRE 367
CHAPTER XXXVII A CONFESSION OF LOVE 375
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Claire Frontispiece
"I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to the 16
nearest candle"
"You have not suspected?" she asked. "You did not know this 166
was my home?"
"Let me pass, sir! This is my father's house" 354
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MY LADY OF DOUBT
CHAPTER I
A PERILOUS MISSION
Several of us had remained rather late that evening about the cheerful
fire in front of my hut,--for the nights were still chilly, although it
was May, and the dreadful winter passed,--discussing the improved
condition of our troops, the rigid discipline of Baron de Steuben, and
speculating on what would probably be attempted now that Sir Henry
Clinton had succeeded to the command of the forces opposing us. I
remember Maxwell joined us, together with Knox of the artillery, each man
with a different theory of campaign, but alike agreeing that, in spite of
all we had endured during those months of suffering and privation at
Valley Forge, the time to strike once again was near at hand, although
our numbers were barely half that of the enemy.
It must have been midnight when I crept into a bunk, and, even then,
found sleep absent, my eyes gazing out through the open door to where the
embers of the fire glowed red, and a sentinel paced back and forth in
regular monotony. Suddenly he halted, and challenged hoarsely, flinging
forward his gun. There was an indistinguishable answer, and, as I
straightened up, the figure of a man blotted out the doorway.
"Major Lawrence?"
"Yes. What is it?" I swung to the floor, unable to recognize the voice.
The man's hand rose to salute.
"I am Colonel Gibbs' orderly. General Hamilton wishes you to report at
once at headquarters."
"The Potts house?"
"Yes, sir."
I dressed hastily, my pulses throbbing with eagerness. Whatever the
message meant, there was certainly some purpose of vital importance in
sending for me at this unusual hour, and I was boy enough still to
welcome any form of active service. No duty of the war had so tried me as
the long winter of waiting. Yet, rapidly as I moved, the orderly had
disappeared before I got outside, and I picked my way as best I could
alone through the darkness, along the rear of McIntosh's huts, until I
reached the low fence surrounding the Potts house. Here a sentinel
challenged, calling the corporal of the guard, and in his company I
trudged up the path to the front door. There was a light showing through
a window to the left, although the shade was closely drawn, and a guard
stood within the hall. At the first sound of our approach, however, a
side door was flung open, letting forth a gleam of illumination, and I
perceived the short, slight figure of Hamilton, as he peered forward to
get a better glimpse of my face.
"All right, Corporal," he said tersely, gripping my hand. "Come in,
Major; your promptness would seem to indicate a readiness to get into
service once more."
"I had not yet fallen asleep," I explained, "but we are all eager enough
for action of any description."
He smiled cheerily.
"You will soon be busy, never fear." He closed the door behind us, and,
with a glance, I viewed the room and its occupants. It was a small, low
ceilinged apartment, containing a table, a dozen chairs, and a high
commode. A few coals glowed in the wide fireplace, and the walls were
dingy with smoke. Three candles, already burning low, gave fitful
illumination, revealing four occupants, all known to me. At an open door
to the right stood a sweet-faced woman, glancing back curiously at my
entrance, and I whipped off my hat bowing low. Once before I had seen
her, Mistress Washington, and welcomed the gracious recognition in her
eyes. Colonel Gibbs stood before the fireplace motionless, but my glance
swept past him to the calm, uplifted face above the pile of papers
littering the table. He was not looking at me, but his eyes were turned
toward his wife.
"It is not necessary for you to retire," he said quietly. "We shall not
detain this gentleman except for a few moments."
"It is not because of the Major's coming I withdraw," she replied
pleasantly, "but the hour is late, and I am very tired. Good-night, all."
Washington's eyes were upon the door until it closed; then he turned
slightly, facing me. Before he spoke again, Hamilton broke in:
"This is the officer, sir, recommended by General Maxwell--Major Lawrence
of the Maryland Line."
I bowed silently, and the commander rose to his feet, extending his hand.
"No doubt we have met before," he said slowly. "You have been with us for
some time?"
"My first action was at Harlem, sir."
"You could not have been at Valley Forge during the past winter,
however?"
"I was with the Marquis de la Fayette at Albany."
"Ah, yes," his face clouding at the recollection. "A young officer,
Hamilton, but capable, no doubt. You have used him before, you said?"
"Yes, at Long Island, and he entered New York once at my request."
Washington's gray eyes were still on my face.
"Lawrence is a Massachusetts name."
"Not exclusively," I returned, "as our branch are Virginians."
The stern lines about the mouth relaxed into a smile.
"Indeed; from the Eastern shore then. I recall now having once met a
Judge John Lawrence, whose wife was a Lee."
"My father, sir."
His hand rested firm on my shoulder, as his glance turned to Hamilton.
"I require no further commendation, Colonel. You will find the papers in
the second drawer. Please explain all the details carefully to Major
Lawrence."
He bowed toward me, and sank back once more into his chair, one hand
shading the eyes that still regarded us. Hamilton opened the drawer
designated, extracted an official document, and addressed me rapidly in
lowered voice.
"This is a simple duty, Major, but may prove a dangerous one. You have
been selected because of previous successful efforts of a similar nature,
but the Commander-in-chief does not order your going; we seek a
volunteer."
"Without asking the nature of the service," I answered sincerely, "I
rejoice at the privilege."
"I knew that, Lawrence," heartily. "That answer accords with your well
earned reputation throughout the army. I will explain briefly the
situation. Early this evening our pickets--or rather some partisan scouts
near Newtown--captured a British officer, in field uniform, on his way
from New York to Sir William Howe in Philadelphia. The prisoner was
brought here, and on examination proved to be Lieutenant Edgar Fortesque
of the 42nd Regiment of Foot. These troops came over with the last
detachment, and arrived in New York less than a month ago. On searching
Fortesque's clothing we found this despatch," holding out the sealed
paper, "which we opened. It is not of any great military importance,
being merely an order for Howe to proceed at once to New York, taking
with him certain officers of his staff, and placing a naval vessel at his
disposal."
He paused, turning the paper over in his hands.
"However," he went on slowly, "it affords us the opportunity we have long
been seeking of getting a competent military observer into Philadelphia.
Now that Sir Henry Clinton is in command of the British forces directly
opposing us, it is necessary that we know accurately their number, state
of discipline, guns, and any point of weakness in the defences of the
city. We require also information regarding the division of troops under
Sir Henry's command--the proportion of British, Hessians, and Tories,
together with some inkling as to Clinton's immediate plans. There is a
rumor abroad that Philadelphia is to be evacuated, and that the British
forces contemplate a retreat overland to New York. Civilian fugitives
drift into our camp constantly, bearing all manner of wild reports, but
these accounts are so varied as to be practically valueless. We must
possess accurate details, and to gain these a man would need to be in the
city several days, free to move about, observe, and converse with the
officers of the garrison. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir; you propose forwarding the despatch by an officer who shall
impersonate this captured Lieutenant."
"Exactly. Fortesque is a young fellow about your age, and build. He has
been in the army only eight months, and in this country less than thirty
days. It is scarcely probable he is known personally to any of the
present Philadelphia garrison. There is a risk, of course, but in this
case it would seem to be small." He picked up a paper from off the table.
"Here is an officer's roster of the 42nd Regiment. It might be well for
you to familiarize yourself with a few of the names."
I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to the nearest candle,
while rapidly reviewing in my own mind the duty required. I had no
thought of refusal, yet appreciated to the full the possible danger of
the venture, and felt anxious to make no serious mistake. I had achieved
a reputation for reckless daring, yet this kind of service was hardly to
my liking. To wear British uniform meant my condemnation as a spy, if
discovered, and a death of disgrace. I had been within the lines of the
enemy often before, but always as a scout, wearing the homespun of the
Maryland Line, but this was to be a masquerade, a juggling with chance. I
was not greatly afraid of being unmasked by the officers of the garrison,
but there were those then in Philadelphia who knew me--loyalists, secret
sympathizers with our cause, and not a few deserters from the army--whom
I might encounter at any turn in the road. The prospect was not alluring,
yet a glance aside at the profile of Washington, now bending low over a
mass of papers, instantly stiffened my resolve. It was work I had no
excuse to shirk--indeed no inclination--so I returned Hamilton's glance
of inquiry frankly.
"You wish me to go at once?"
[Illustration: "I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to the
nearest candle"]
"The earlier the better. I will furnish passports through our lines, and
hard riding will put you across the neutral ground by daylight."
"One moment, Major," interrupted Washington quietly. "You were doubtless
acquainted with our late Inspector-General?"
"Yes," my face darkening.
"He is now in Philadelphia, and it might be safer were you to avoid
meeting him."
"General Washington," I said frankly, "I have been loyal to you through
all this controversy, but, nevertheless, have retained my friendship with
General Conway. I believe the misunderstanding between you is entirely
personal, and in no way affects his loyalty to the cause. Whatever his
present relations may be with the British commander, I have the utmost
faith that he would not betray me to either death, or imprisonment."
"I am glad to hear your words," and the kindly face instantly brightened.
"This entire controversy has been most unfortunate, with wrong no doubt
upon both sides. Unquestionably you are right, yet I felt it my duty to
warn you of his presence at Clinton's headquarters. God bless you, my
boy, good-bye."
I grasped the hand extended across the table, and followed Hamilton from
the room, Gibbs still standing motionless and silent before the
fireplace.