Part 18 (1/2)

”Ay, ay,” he said in a tone of recognition. ”So it's you, once more, is it, Pennington?”

”Once more, Mr. Halsey,” returned the spy.

”Quite a boatload, I see,” and the man flashed his lantern aloft.

”Yes, some gentlemen who wish to enter the town.”

”It's the only place for honest men,” grumbled the sailor. ”But I must say there is a great shortage of fresh provision there. My men will all be down with the scurvy if they don't get a change soon.”

The seaman was still speaking when the skiff pulled out of hearing.

Three times they were halted before they reached a point on the Boston side just above Gree's s.h.i.+pyard. A heavy battery was planted here that commanded Charlestown, and they were brought under this in charge of a yawl filled with men and in command of a young officer of marines, who showed dapper and spick and span under the lantern light.

When they were landed, a file of men took them in charge until Pennington, after some whispered conversation, was pa.s.sed by the officer in charge.

”A right soldierly way of looking at the matter,” observed Scarlett, who had been keenly watching all that occurred.

”General Gage is a most excellent soldier,” spoke Pennington. ”None of the rebel troops shall get in while he is in command, nor,” and there was a sneer in his tone, ”none of his own troops shall get out.”

As they pa.s.sed through Prince's Street they heard the steady tramp of troops on their way to the southerly part of the city. When beyond the Mill Pond, a roar of hoofs met them as squadron after squadron of cavalry dashed by headed in the same direction. At Middle Street they encountered a battery of field-guns also hastening southward.

”Something is toward, to-night,” said Scarlett with great interest.

”It may be that they are on their way to the Neck,” was Ezra's thought.

And a s.h.i.+ver ran through him as he fancied the colonists not being ready to meet the attack.

When they pa.s.sed the gardens they came to Sun Court; and as they paused before a stately mansion, Ezra said:

”But why here? Surely my grandfather has nothing to do with this business.”

Pennington laughed.

”Don't be too sure of that. He is a man much desirous of the government's advancement, and he does not hesitate to use whatever means he can to serve that purpose.”

The speaker ascended the steps and gave a sharp rat-tat-tat upon the heavy knocker; then he turned and looked down at the boy, who remained upon the brick walk.

”Another thing,” said he. ”You will find him a man not easily satisfied.”

”I know that,” replied Ezra.

”Your explanation as to how you came to part with Abdallah's dispatch will have to be very much more complete than the one you gave me,” said Pennington, rubbing his hands together in a satisfied way. ”He will not tolerate evasion of any sort, especially in the presence of those whom he is entertaining to-night.”

”He has guests, then?” said the boy.

Before Pennington could reply, the door opened. A grave servant stepped aside in the brightly-lighted hallway, and they entered. And as the door closed behind them, from a room to the left of a hall came a great voice roaring:

”I tell you, General Gage, I did all that a soldier and a gentleman could well do. If the messenger proved a knave and a traitor, the blame is not to be laid at my door.”

Pennington's hand fell lightly upon Ezra's shoulder, and he said sneeringly in the boy's ear: