Part 14 (2/2)
”I trust there remains nothing more you desire to learn, sir? If not, I am requested to conduct you to the library. Ah, thank you, sir--this way, please.”
He stood aside, statue-like, his eyes looking directly past me, and pointed with dignity to the open door. I obeyed the calm movement of that hand as though it had been a military order, but, as I stepped into the twilight of the outer bas.e.m.e.nt, I suddenly perceived the presence there of the attendant graybeard. He moved in advance, and I followed, aware that Peter was closely at my heels. Thus we proceeded up the stairs, and into the upper pa.s.sage. My eyes surveyed the wide hall, and caught glimpses of the great rooms opening upon either side. Accustomed from my childhood to those stately Colonial homes along the Eastern sh.o.r.e, I could yet recall none more s.p.a.cious, or more richly furnished. The devastating touch of war had left no visible impress here, and on every hand were evidences of wealth and taste. My feet sunk deeply into silken carpets, and the breeze through opened windows blew aside gossamer curtains. Involuntarily I lifted my head.
”Whose home is this?” I asked, but neither of the men answered, or so much as glanced at me. The graybeard threw open a door, standing aside as though on guard, and I stepped across the threshold. A glance told me here was a library, not only in name, but in fact, a large square room, well lighted, the furniture mahogany, s.h.i.+ning like gla.s.s, three of the walls lined with books, mostly in sombre bindings. A green-topped table occupied the centre of the apartment, a ma.s.sive affair, flanked by a leather upholstered reading chair, while before the front windows were cus.h.i.+oned ledges. My rapid glimpse about ended in Peter standing in dignified silence barely within the door, his hand upon the k.n.o.b.
”I am authorized, sir,” he said impressively, gazing directly across my shoulder, not a feature expressing emotion, ”to permit you to remain here on parole.”
”Parole! What do you mean?”
”Parole was, I believe, the word used, sir,” in calm explanation. ”It is, as I understand, sir, a military term signifying pledge.”
”Oh, I know that. Kindly concede that I possess some small intelligence, Peter. But to whom is this parole given, and what does it imply?”
”To myself, sir. This may seem slightly unconventional, sir, but I trust you will repose sufficient confidence in me not to object. The sole requirements are that you remain in this room until sent for.”
”That will not be long?”
”I think not, sir.”
”And who will send for me?”
Peter's eyes calmly surveyed me, but without expression.
”I am quite unable to answer that, sir.”
He was enough to provoke a saint, but I had already b.u.t.ted my head against that stone wall sufficiently to learn the uselessness of any further attempt. Peter was Peter, and I crushed back my first impatient exclamation to say humbly,
”All right, my man, I'll wait here.”
I sank back into the upholstered chair, and for a moment after he had closed the door I did not move. Then, scarcely knowing whether to laugh or swear over the situation, I crossed the room, and gazed out through the window. Far down the winding driveway, half concealed behind the trees, a body of British troops was tramping toward the house.
CHAPTER XV
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 pa.s.sed 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!”
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