Part 54 (2/2)

”I went to find Mr. Delaney, but he was gone, having, as I heard later, put on paper what he had seen and heard in the Provostry.”

XXVIII

”When,” continues Jack, ”I found Delaney had gone away, I was in a quandary. I by no means desired to go alone to see Captain Wynne. At last I made up my mind to ask Hugh. If there came a quarrel it should be mine. I resolved there should be no fight if I could help it, and that there might be trouble if Hugh were first to see his cousin I felt sure. The small sword was out of the question, but the pistol was not.

I intended no such ending, and believed I had the matter well in my own hands. When I found Hugh at the quarters I told him quietly the whole story.

”That he was in a mad rage at his aunt I saw. I hate to see Hugh smile in a certain way he has, with his lips set close. He said nothing save that he would go with me, and that I was altogether in the right. He was reluctant to promise he would leave me to speak alone, but at last I did get him to say so.

”Mr. Arthur Wynne was alone in his room at the inn, and would see us. He was writing, and turned from his table, rising as we entered. He looked red and angry, in a soiled dressing-gown, and I thought had been drinking. He did not ask us to be seated, and we remained standing until our unpleasant talk came to a close.

”He said at once, 'My good cousin, I presume I owe to you the note I have had from Miss p.e.n.i.ston to-day.'

”'You do not,' said Hugh, not looking at all displeased.

”'Indeed? I had hoped you had come to offer me the only satisfaction in life your slanders have left me. My health is no longer such as to forbid the use of a pistol.'

”'Pardon me,' said I, 'this is my affair, and not Mr. Wynne's. I have had the honour of late to hear Mr. Delaney relate what pa.s.sed in the jail.'

”'Have you, indeed? An old story,' said Arthur Wynne.

”'None the less a nasty one. I had also the pleasure to tell Miss p.e.n.i.ston that you suggested to the traitor Arnold to use my friend's known loyalty as a safe means of getting to Sir Henry Clinton a letter which was presumably a despatch as to exchange of prisoners, but was really intended to convey to Sir Henry the news that the scoundrel Arnold was willing to sell his soul and betray his country.'

”'Who told you this nonsense?' said the captain, coming toward us.

”'Major Andre,' said I. 'You may have my friend's word for that.'

”'It is a lie!' he cried.

”'Men about to die do not lie, Mr. Wynne. It is true.'

”The man's face changed, and he got that slack look about the jaw I have heard Hugh describe. To my astonishment he did not further insist on his denial, but said coldly, 'And what then?'

”'Nothing,' said I. 'Having told what I knew to a woman, I had no mind to have you say I had slandered you behind your back. That is all.'

”'Is it, indeed? And which of you will give me the honour of your company to-morrow?'

”'Neither,' said I. 'We do not meet men like you.'

”His face flushed. 'Coward!' he said.

”'If I am that,' said I, pretty cool, and shaking a little after my silly way, 'you know best, and will remember, I fancy, for many a day.

Good-morning, sir.'

”On this he cried out, 'By----! this shall not pa.s.s! I--I will post you in every inn in town, and my cousin too. No man shall dare--”

<script>