CHAPTER XVI
AGAIN THE LADY
I must think rapidly, and act as quickly. Yet, if what Grant had said wastrue, that he had already posted guards on each side the house, thenescape by daylight was practically impossible. From all I could see therewas no concealment close at hand, and while the fellows were withoutarms, yet their numbers were sufficient to make any attempt at runningtheir lines extra hazardous. And I had much at risk, for if taken itwould be as a spy, and not a mere prisoner of war. There was no place forconcealment in the library, but there might be upstairs, in the attic, oron the roof. The chance was worth the trial, and there could be no bettertime for such an experiment than while the three officers were atbreakfast. Whatever servants remained about the house would be busilyemployed also, and probably I should have the entire upper portion tomyself. Deciding to make the venture I had my hand on the knob of thedoor, when it was opened quietly from without, and I was startled by thesudden appearance of Peter. Whatever excitement may have prevailed amongthe other members of this peculiar household this model servitor remainedwith dignity unruffled. He surveyed me calmly, rubbing his bald head withone hand.
"You will pardon the delay, sir," he said calmly. "But circumstances havearisen changing the original plans. Will you kindly accompany me?"
"But where, Peter? I don't wish to be seen by these new arrivals."
"Have no fear, sir," condescendingly, and with an authoritative wave ofthe hand. "The officers are at table, and will know nothing of ourmovements."
I followed meekly enough, and he led the way up the broad stairs to thesecond story, turning to the left in the upper hall, and coming to apause before a partially opened door. A glimpse within made me deem it amusic room, although I could see merely along one wall.
"You will enter, sir, while I return to the guests below."
With one glance into his perfectly expressionless countenance, halfsuspicious of some new trick, I stepped across the threshold. Thecurtains were drawn, and the room seemed dark after the sun-glare of thehall. I advanced a step or two, almost convinced the apartment wasunoccupied, when a voice addressed me.
"Under more favorable conditions, Major Lawrence, it would give mepleasure to welcome you to the hospitalities of Elmhurst."
I swung about as on a pivot and saw her standing with one hand upon thehigh back of a chair, her blue eyes smiling merrily. I felt the hot rushof blood to my cheeks, the quick throb of pulse, with which I recognizedher. I was so surprised that, for the instant, the words I sought toutter choked in my throat.
"You have not suspected?" she asked. "You did not know thiswas my home?"]
"Nothing was farther from my thoughts," I exclaimed hastily. "All I knewof your home was that it was situated somewhere in the Jerseys. But wait,perhaps I begin to understand--the lieutenant who brought me here; hisvoice has been echoing in my ears all night in familiarity. He is somenear relative of yours--this Eric?"
"Oh, you have overheard? You know the name through hearing Captain Grantspeak?"
"Yes; I could not very well help doing so. Peter had stationed me in thelibrary, but there was nothing said between you two to make me suspectyour identity."
"You supposed me to be the lieutenant?"
"You have not suspected?" she asked. "You did not know this was my home?"
"Why should I not? The voice was the same; at least sufficiently similarto deceive me, and he never addressed you in a way to arouse mysuspicions. Is your brother named Eric?"
"Yes; I told you, did I not, that we are twins? The physical resemblancebetween us is very strong; no doubt our voices sound alike also, or wouldto a comparative stranger. Will you not be seated, Major? We shall nothave long to converse, and there is much to be said before thosedownstairs complete their rather frugal meal--Peter has promised to delayserving as much as possible, but, as our larder is not extensive, at bestit will not be long. You overheard Captain Grant's threat?"
"To search the house for your brother--yes."
"He will carry it out," quietly, her eyes, no longer smiling, on my face."There has never been friendship between those two, and of late my ownrelations with Captain Grant have become very unpleasant. I think he isalmost glad of an opportunity to thus exercise some authority over me. Heis the kind of a man who must either rule or ruin. Convinced that Eric isconcealed here, he will search the house as much to spite me as for anyother reason. I should only laugh at him, but for your presence."
"Then your brother is not here?"
"Certainly not; Eric is in no danger--but, Major Lawrence, you are."
The earnestness with which she spoke made my heart leap. Whatever thegirl's political sentiments might be, she was plainly desirous of servingme, of once again exposing herself in my defence. Yet her words, thefrank expression of her eyes, gave no suggestion of sentiment--she wasbut a friend, an ally, performing a woman's part in the war game.
"But I fail to understand--"
"You mean me? Oh, well, you are not the first; and no doubt it is bestso. The less you understand, the better we shall get along, Major; theonly question being, will you obey my orders?"
"Had I inclination otherwise I fear I should find it impossible."
"I hardly know whether that remark be complimentary or not. You mightmean that no other course was left you."
"Which I suspect is true, although if it proved so I should willinglytrust myself to your guidance, because of my faith in you."
"That is much better," her eyes laughing, yet as swiftly sobering again."But it is foolish of us to waste time in such silly speeches. There istoo much waiting attention. Fortunately this house is not without itssecrets, for when built by my grandfather this was the frontier."
"But does not Grant know?" I asked soberly. "I understood he played hereas a boy, and there is not much a lad fails to learn."
"He is not without knowledge, surely, but here is something he neverdiscovered. I would never have trusted him with the secret, and yet, asshort a time as I have known you, I have no hesitancy. Isn't that a frankconfession, sir?"
"One I mean you shall never regret."
"I am sure of that; yet I shall not betray everything even to you. Pleaseface about with eyes to the front window. Yes, so; now do not look arounduntil I tell you."
I heard her cross the room, her skirts rustling slightly, and then thefaint clicking of some delicately adjusted mechanism. As this soundceased, her voice again spoke.
"Now, Major, the way is opened for a safe retreat. Behold what has beenaccomplished by the genii of the lamp."
She was standing at one side of what had been the fireplace, but now theentire lower portion of the great chimney had been swung aside, revealingan opening amply large enough for the entrance of a man. I took one stepforward to where I could perceive the beginning of a narrow winding stairleading down into intense blackness. Then I glanced aside into her eyes.
"The concealment was perfect," I exclaimed in admiration. "Where does thestaircase lead?"
"To a very comfortable room underground. It had not been used for ageneration until this war began. Eric and I learned of its existence byaccident, while rummaging over some of our grandfather's old papers. Iwas about sixteen then, and shall never forget our first exploration. Wefound nothing down there then but a rough bunk, an old lanthorn, and theleathern scabbard of a sword. But since then Eric has been compelled tohide there twice to escape capture, and we have made the room below morecomfortable. You will be obliged to grope your way down the stairs, butat the bottom will discover flint and steel, and a lantern with amplesupply of candles. Peter will bring you food, if you need remain therefor long!"
"Peter! Then he is in the secret?"
"Peter is in all secrets," she confessed. "From him nothing is hid, atleast so far as may concern the Mortimer family. You have yet to learnthe deep subtlety of Peter, Major Lawrence. He sees all things, retainsall things, and reveals nothing."
"A discovery already made."
"No,
barely glimpsed; no short acquaintance such as yours has been couldever serve to reveal the character of Peter. Since babyhood he has beenmy monitor and guide, and still he remains to me a silent mystery."
"An old servant?"
"Yes, born to the position, his father serving before him. There is nodoubt in my mind but what he knew of this secret passage before Eric andI were born. Not that he has ever confessed as much, yet I am convincedour discovery of it brought no surprise to Peter. What do you suppose hisage to be?"
My mind reverted to that expressionless face without a wrinkle in it, tothat totally bald head, and my answer was the merest guess.
"Oh, possibly fifty."
"I told you you were far from knowing Peter," she laughed. "He isseventy-two, and, would you believe it, until this war came, was neverten miles from this spot."
"And since?" recalling the events of the night before.
"He has made it his duty to attend me; he has become my shadow. From thehumdrum experience of a respectable house servant he has become the veryspirit of reckless adventure--he has journeyed to New York, to Trenton,to Philadelphia, to--"
"Night riding with Hessian foragers," I broke in, "disguised in aRanger's uniform."
"Well, yes," she dimpled quietly, "even that."
I waited for something more, some explanation of what all this concealed.
"You trust me with so much," I ventured, when she continued silent, "itwould seem as if you might tell me even more."
"I cannot perceive whereby any further confession would serve you. Yet Ihave not refused to answer any question, surely. It is hardly safe for usto remain here so long, and yet if there be something you wish to ask--"
"You could scarcely expect me to be entirely without curiosity. I havebeen captured on the highway, brought here a prisoner, and held underguard all night. I supposed myself in British hands, only to discoverthat you have again intervened to save me. Surely there must be a key toall this mystery. If, as I suspect, it was your brother, Eric, who ledthe attack on me, having mistaken me for another, then what was hispurpose? And what has become of Eric?"
She wrinkled her brows in perplexity, her hands nervously clasping theback of a chair.
"It is like being cross-examined by a lawyer. Perhaps if the secret wasall my own I might freely confide it to you. I do not promise I would,but I might. As it is, I do not yet know you quite well enough. I believeyou to be Major Lawrence, that you are all you represent yourself, but Iam pledged to silence, and the lives of others depend upon my keepingfaith. You cannot urge me to do what I deem wrong?"
"No; I shall always believe in you."
"I thank you for that," and her hand was extended frankly. "I wouldreveal one of the mysteries of last night if I was not fearful it mightcost me your respect."
"How could that be possible?"
"Because it might appear to you that I had been unwomanly. My ownconscience is clear, for my purpose exonerates me, but this you mightfail to understand unless I made fuller explanation than is now possible.I have a duty which cannot be betrayed."
I gazed into her eyes, her hand still in mine, conscious that her cheekswere flushing. It was impossible for me to conceive of her performing anunwomanly action.
"I prefer to ask nothing," I said frankly, "although I should nevermisconstrue anything you might care to say."
"I think you suspect already, and I should far rather tell you the truthmyself than have you learn it in some other way. The lieutenant of LightDragoons who attacked you last night was not my brother."
"Was not Eric? And yet you knew him?"
"Very well, indeed," her eyes falling, "because it was myself."