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MY LADY OF DOUBT
BY RANDALL PARRISH
AUTHOR OF "LOVE UNDER FIRE," "MY LADY OF THE NORTH," ETC., ETC.
WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS IN FULL COLOR BY ALONZO KIMBALL
CHICAGOA. C. McCLURG & CO.1911
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CopyrightA. C. McCLURG & CO.1911
Published October, 1911
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England
PRESS OF THE VAIL COMPANYCOSHOCTON, U. S. A.
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Claire]
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I A PERILOUS MISSION 9CHAPTER II WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES 18CHAPTER III THE FETE OF THE AFTERNOON 27CHAPTER IV THE MISCHIANZA 38CHAPTER V THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE 48CHAPTER VI THE THREAT OF SWORDS 59CHAPTER VII THE ONE HOPE 70CHAPTER VIII THE BLACKSMITH 80CHAPTER IX TANGLING THREADS 92CHAPTER X WITH MINUTE MEN 103CHAPTER XI THE CAPTURE OF THE WAGON TRAIN 113CHAPTER XII A CAPTURE 124CHAPTER XIII INTRODUCING PETER 134CHAPTER XIV I INTERVIEW PETER 144CHAPTER XV A NEW COMBINATION 154CHAPTER XVI AGAIN THE LADY 164CHAPTER XVII ENTOMBED 175CHAPTER XVIII THE REMAINS OF TRAGEDY 186CHAPTER XIX THE QUEEN'S RANGERS 196CHAPTER XX AT CROSS PURPOSES 207CHAPTER XXI AGAIN THE CELLAR-ROOM 219CHAPTER XXII THE LADY'S PLAN 230CHAPTER XXIII WORDS OF LOVE 241CHAPTER XXIV I UNCOVER CAPTAIN GRANT 250CHAPTER XXV BETWEEN LOVE AND DUTY 260CHAPTER XXVI FORCING CLINTON TO BATTLE 269CHAPTER XXVII THE FIGHT AT MONMOUTH 281CHAPTER XXVIII THE ROAD TO PHILADELPHIA 291CHAPTER XXIX THE ESCORT 301CHAPTER XXX BEFORE GENERAL ARNOLD 310CHAPTER XXXI I RUN ACROSS ERIC 320CHAPTER XXXII WE ATTAIN THE HOUSE 332CHAPTER XXXIII THEY SEND FOR CLAIRE 342CHAPTER XXXIV A THREATENED MARRIAGE 351CHAPTER XXXV THE FIGHT IN THE HALL 359CHAPTER XXXVI SEARCHING FOR CLAIRE 367CHAPTER XXXVII A CONFESSION OF LOVE 375
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Claire Frontispiece
"I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to the 16nearest candle"
"You have not suspected?" she asked. "You did not know this 166was my home?"
"Let me pass, sir! This is my father's house" 354
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MY LADY OF DOUBT
CHAPTER I
A PERILOUS MISSION
Several of us had remained rather late that evening about the cheerfulfire in front of my hut,--for the nights were still chilly, although itwas May, and the dreadful winter passed,--discussing the improvedcondition of our troops, the rigid discipline of Baron de Steuben, andspeculating on what would probably be attempted now that Sir HenryClinton had succeeded to the command of the forces opposing us. Iremember Maxwell joined us, together with Knox of the artillery, each manwith a different theory of campaign, but alike agreeing that, in spite ofall we had endured during those months of suffering and privation atValley Forge, the time to strike once again was near at hand, althoughour numbers were barely half that of the enemy.
It must have been midnight when I crept into a bunk, and, even then,found sleep absent, my eyes gazing out through the open door to where theembers of the fire glowed red, and a sentinel paced back and forth inregular monotony. Suddenly he halted, and challenged hoarsely, flingingforward his gun. There was an indistinguishable answer, and, as Istraightened up, the figure of a man blotted out the doorway.
"Major Lawrence?"
"Yes. What is it?" I swung to the floor, unable to recognize the voice.The man's hand rose to salute.
"I am Colonel Gibbs' orderly. General Hamilton wishes you to report atonce at headquarters."
"The Potts house?"
"Yes, sir."
I dressed hastily, my pulses throbbing with eagerness. Whatever themessage meant, there was certainly some purpose of vital importance insending for me at this unusual hour, and I was boy enough still towelcome any form of active service. No duty of the war had so tried me asthe long winter of waiting. Yet, rapidly as I moved, the orderly haddisappeared before I got outside, and I picked my way as best I couldalone through the darkness, along the rear of McIntosh's huts, until Ireached the low fence surrounding the Potts house. Here a sentinelchallenged, calling the corporal of the guard, and in his company Itrudged up the path to the front door. There was a light showing througha window to the left, although the shade was closely drawn, and a guardstood within the hall. At the first sound of our approach, however, aside door was flung open, letting forth a gleam of illumination, and Iperceived the short, slight figure of Hamilton, as he peered forward toget a better glimpse of my face.
"All right, Corporal," he said tersely, gripping my hand. "Come in,Major; your promptness would seem to indicate a readiness to get intoservice once more."
"I had not yet fallen asleep," I explained, "but we are all eager enoughfor action of any description."
He smiled cheerily.
"You will soon be busy, never fear." He closed the door behind us, and,with a glance, I viewed the room and its occupants. It was a small, lowceilinged apartment, containing a table, a dozen chairs, and a highcommode. A few coals glowed in the wide fireplace, and the walls weredingy with smoke. Three candles, already burning low, gave fitfulillumination, revealing four occupants, all known to me. At an open doorto the right stood a sweet-faced woman, glancing back curiously at myentrance, and I whipped off my hat bowing low. Once before I had seenher, Mistress Washington, and welcomed the gracious recognition in hereyes. Colonel Gibbs stood before the fireplace motionless, but my glanceswept past him to the calm, uplifted face above the pile of paperslittering the table. He was not looking at me, but his eyes were turnedtoward his wife.
"It is not necessary for you to retire," he said quietly. "We shall notdetain this gentleman except for a few moments."
"It is not because of the Major's coming I withdraw," she repliedpleasantly, "but the hour is late, and I am very tired. Good-night, all."
Washington's eyes were upon the door until it closed; then he turnedslightly, facing me. Before he spoke again, Hamilton broke in:
"This is the officer, sir, recommended by General Maxwell--Major Lawrenceof the Maryland Line."
I bowed silently, and the commander rose to his feet, extending his hand.
"No doubt we have met before," he said slowly. "You have been with us forsome time?"
"My first action was at Harlem, sir."
"You could not have been at Valley Forge during the past winter,however?"
"I was with the Marquis de la Fayette at Albany."
"Ah, yes," his face clouding at the recollection. "A young officer,Hamilton, but capable, no doubt. You have used him before, you said?"
"Yes, at Long Island, and he entered New York once at my request."
Washington's gray eyes were still on my f
ace.
"Lawrence is a Massachusetts name."
"Not exclusively," I returned, "as our branch are Virginians."
The stern lines about the mouth relaxed into a smile.
"Indeed; from the Eastern shore then. I recall now having once met aJudge John Lawrence, whose wife was a Lee."
"My father, sir."
His hand rested firm on my shoulder, as his glance turned to Hamilton.
"I require no further commendation, Colonel. You will find the papers inthe second drawer. Please explain all the details carefully to MajorLawrence."
He bowed toward me, and sank back once more into his chair, one handshading the eyes that still regarded us. Hamilton opened the drawerdesignated, extracted an official document, and addressed me rapidly inlowered voice.
"This is a simple duty, Major, but may prove a dangerous one. You havebeen selected because of previous successful efforts of a similar nature,but the Commander-in-chief does not order your going; we seek avolunteer."
"Without asking the nature of the service," I answered sincerely, "Irejoice at the privilege."
"I knew that, Lawrence," heartily. "That answer accords with your wellearned reputation throughout the army. I will explain briefly thesituation. Early this evening our pickets--or rather some partisan scoutsnear Newtown--captured a British officer, in field uniform, on his wayfrom New York to Sir William Howe in Philadelphia. The prisoner wasbrought here, and on examination proved to be Lieutenant Edgar Fortesqueof the 42nd Regiment of Foot. These troops came over with the lastdetachment, and arrived in New York less than a month ago. On searchingFortesque's clothing we found this despatch," holding out the sealedpaper, "which we opened. It is not of any great military importance,being merely an order for Howe to proceed at once to New York, takingwith him certain officers of his staff, and placing a naval vessel at hisdisposal."
He paused, turning the paper over in his hands.
"However," he went on slowly, "it affords us the opportunity we have longbeen seeking of getting a competent military observer into Philadelphia.Now that Sir Henry Clinton is in command of the British forces directlyopposing us, it is necessary that we know accurately their number, stateof discipline, guns, and any point of weakness in the defences of thecity. We require also information regarding the division of troops underSir Henry's command--the proportion of British, Hessians, and Tories,together with some inkling as to Clinton's immediate plans. There is arumor abroad that Philadelphia is to be evacuated, and that the Britishforces contemplate a retreat overland to New York. Civilian fugitivesdrift into our camp constantly, bearing all manner of wild reports, butthese accounts are so varied as to be practically valueless. We mustpossess accurate details, and to gain these a man would need to be in thecity several days, free to move about, observe, and converse with theofficers of the garrison. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir; you propose forwarding the despatch by an officer who shallimpersonate this captured Lieutenant."
"Exactly. Fortesque is a young fellow about your age, and build. He hasbeen in the army only eight months, and in this country less than thirtydays. It is scarcely probable he is known personally to any of thepresent Philadelphia garrison. There is a risk, of course, but in thiscase it would seem to be small." He picked up a paper from off the table."Here is an officer's roster of the 42nd Regiment. It might be well foryou to familiarize yourself with a few of the names."
I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to the nearest candle,while rapidly reviewing in my own mind the duty required. I had nothought of refusal, yet appreciated to the full the possible danger ofthe venture, and felt anxious to make no serious mistake. I had achieveda reputation for reckless daring, yet this kind of service was hardly tomy liking. To wear British uniform meant my condemnation as a spy, ifdiscovered, and a death of disgrace. I had been within the lines of theenemy often before, but always as a scout, wearing the homespun of theMaryland Line, but this was to be a masquerade, a juggling with chance. Iwas not greatly afraid of being unmasked by the officers of the garrison,but there were those then in Philadelphia who knew me--loyalists, secretsympathizers with our cause, and not a few deserters from the army--whomI might encounter at any turn in the road. The prospect was not alluring,yet a glance aside at the profile of Washington, now bending low over amass of papers, instantly stiffened my resolve. It was work I had noexcuse to shirk--indeed no inclination--so I returned Hamilton's glanceof inquiry frankly.
"You wish me to go at once?"
"I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to thenearest candle"]
"The earlier the better. I will furnish passports through our lines, andhard riding will put you across the neutral ground by daylight."
"One moment, Major," interrupted Washington quietly. "You were doubtlessacquainted with our late Inspector-General?"
"Yes," my face darkening.
"He is now in Philadelphia, and it might be safer were you to avoidmeeting him."
"General Washington," I said frankly, "I have been loyal to you throughall this controversy, but, nevertheless, have retained my friendship withGeneral Conway. I believe the misunderstanding between you is entirelypersonal, and in no way affects his loyalty to the cause. Whatever hispresent relations may be with the British commander, I have the utmostfaith that he would not betray me to either death, or imprisonment."
"I am glad to hear your words," and the kindly face instantly brightened."This entire controversy has been most unfortunate, with wrong no doubtupon both sides. Unquestionably you are right, yet I felt it my duty towarn you of his presence at Clinton's headquarters. God bless you, myboy, good-bye."
I grasped the hand extended across the table, and followed Hamilton fromthe room, Gibbs still standing motionless and silent before thefireplace.
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