Part 5 (2/2)
A soft protest followed, but the thunderous major cut it short.
”If this gentleman has been trusted thus far, he can be trusted further,” he declared. ”Why should we remain concealed in the houses of our friends? It is preposterous!”
A sharp moving about of furniture followed as though some one had pushed back a heavy chair; then footsteps were heard, the hangings parted and a burly, red-faced man entered the room.
CHAPTER IV
TELLS WHAT BEFELL EZRA THEREIN
Directly behind the red-faced man came Abdallah, and a small, weazened-looking youth, with the face of a ferret and the covert manners of a fox.
That Abdallah was not pleased with the situation was very evident. There was an angry light burning in the dark eyes; and though his manner was as suave as ever, his voice, as he spoke, had gained distinctly in sharpness.
”This,” said he, addressing Ezra, who had arisen, ”is a gentleman who insisted upon making your acquaintance.”
Major Buckstone laughed loudly, and held out his hand to the boy.
”And that is the plain truth,” spoke he, with great heartiness of manner. ”I am a bluff soldier, young sir, and I am always delighted to see those who do their work out in the open.”
As he said this, his eyes went quickly to Abdallah and the ferret-faced young man. It was the latter who made answer.
”In a time like this, Major Buckstone,” said he, ”there is work of all sorts to be done for His Majesty, the King. You have your place-we have ours.”
”And you will pardon me for saying it, I'm sure,” said Abdallah, also addressing the major, ”but your place is decidedly not here.”
The words were softly spoken; but, for all, there was behind them the bitter resentment of a man not accustomed to being crossed.
Major Buckstone drew himself up, and saluted formally.
”Sir,” he made reply, ”you have complimented me highly. You are quite right. This is not my place. In plain words, a man of my quality should never have been detailed upon such duty.”
The ferret-faced youth, his eyes full of alarm, furtively tugged at the speaker's sleeve; then he whispered some words of caution. But the burly soldier shook him off impatiently.
”I understand you very well, Jason Collyer,” said he with ponderous disdain. ”But as I have told you many times in this last twenty-four hours, I will pay no heed to you. I have my own way of conducting my own business, and that I will persist in.”
Abdallah made a sign to the ferret-faced youth, and the latter fell back from the plainspoken major. Then the two drew together at a far corner of the room and consulted in whispers. The major turned to Ezra once more.
”You have ridden from Cambridge, I understand,” said he.
”I have,” replied the lad, briefly.
”It has been a week since I pa.s.sed through the rebel lines,” said the officer. ”I was in disguise,” in a tone of great disgust. ”Much rather would I have been in full uniform, and at the head of two regiments of hardy fellows.” Then in another tone, ”But what news?”
”The papers, I should think,” and Ezra nodded toward Abdallah, ”would tell you everything.”
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