A NEW COMBINATION
My first thought was that this must prove a trap, and I drew hastily back
behind the curtain, believing myself justified in an effort at escape.
Surely, under such conditions, my word of parole to Peter had no binding
force. Yet I waited long enough to glance forth again. The advancing body
was less than a hundred strong, Queen's Rangers and Hessians, from their
uniforms, straggling along on foot, limping, dusty, and without arms.
These must be the remnant of Delavan's command, released by their guard
of partisans, and now wearily seeking refuge. But why were they coming
here? Surely this was not the Philadelphia road?
They turned in upon the open lawn in front of the door, and I could
plainly distinguish the faces. There could no longer be any doubt but
what these were the men we had fought and defeated the evening before.
Grant, with the two Hessian officers, was in advance, and the former
strode directly toward the house, while the majority of his following
flung themselves at full length on the ground, as though utterly
exhausted. Some strange fascination held me motionless, watching the man
climb the front steps. The iron knocker rang loudly twice before there
came any response from within. Then I could hear voices, but the words
reaching me were detached, and without definite meaning. Finally the door
closed, and the two men passed along the hall, beyond the room in which I
waited. Then Peter's voice said solemnly, as if announcing a
distinguished guest:
"Captain Alfred Grant!"
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 knob. 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 unobserved.
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud enough to be easily heard:
"How did we come here? Why, where else could we go? The damned 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 shell. Not a nigger 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 gods, I was almost compelled to fight that
bald-headed old fool to even gain admittance to the hall. Were those your
orders?"
"Assuredly not. But you must consider circumstances, 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 ragamuffins 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."
"Damn 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 gods, 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 illustrates 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 assistance 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 identity. 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 pass
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.