My Lady of Doubt

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER XIV

  I INTERVIEW PETER

  I accepted the wine gratefully, and sat in silence while he served themeat, wondering at the odd character of the man, and striving todetermine how best to win his confidence. I was hungry, and, not knowingwhat to say, fell to work with some zest, insisting on his doinglikewise. Yet even as I disposed of the food that stolid face oppositefascinated me, and held my gaze. The fellow was not so big a fool as helooked, for while the features remained expressionless and vacant, therewas a sly glimmer to the eye, betraying an active, observant mind behindthe mask. I began to suspect some purpose in his play acting.

  "What is your name, my man?" I asked finally, made nervous by hissilence.

  "Peter Swanson, sir," humbly.

  "Oh, a Swede?"

  "By ancestry only, sir," he explained, wiping his mouth with a corner ofthe napkin, but not lifting his eyes from the plate. "'Tis a hundredyears since we crossed the sea."

  "And you've been good King's men ever since?"

  He cocked one eye up at me.

  "It would seem so, sir."

  "The fellow with the gray chin beard was Irish, wasn't he?"

  "He might be, sir."

  "A Swede, an Irishman, and an Indian," I said musingly. "That makes anice combination for the Queen's Rangers. Come now, Peter, give me thestraight of all this."

  He stopped with his fork in a bit of meat, favoring me with anotherstare.

  "I think I fail to comprehend, sir."

  "No, you don't, you rascal," a bit of anger in my voice. "Did you bringthis supper yourself, or were you sent here?"

  "Under orders, sir."

  "The lieutenant?"

  He bowed solemnly, and asked:

  "Would you object if I smoked, sir?"

  "Certainly not; only answer my questions. Good heavens, man! do you thinkI am a log of wood? Act like a human being. Who is the lieutenant?"

  "A Dragoon, sir."

  "Peter," I broke out, irritated beyond patience, "I have some reason tobelieve you a liar. But I am going to get the truth from you if I have tochoke it out."

  "Yes, sir; very good, indeed, sir. However, there would seem to be noneed of your resorting to such extreme measures, sir."

  "Then you will tell me what I wish to know?"

  "It will afford me pleasure, sir."

  Somehow I could not rid myself of the suspicion that the fellow wassecretly laughing at me, yet his round face was innocent and placid, hiseyes discreetly lowered.

  "Then kindly inform me, first of all, who this young lieutenant is."

  "I fear, sir," solemnly, "that I may have misinformed you when I said hewas a Dragoon."

  "Yes!" eagerly.

  "I would correct my statement somewhat--he is a Light Dragoon, sir."

  In spite of my effort at self-control, I swore, tempted to batter thatstolid face, yet realizing the utter uselessness of such violence.

  "Now, see here!" I broke forth fiercely. "Have done with your play. Youare no soldier; I doubt if you were ever on a horse's back untilto-night. And those fellows with you are not Queen's Rangers, I'llswear."

  "How do you know, sir?" he interrupted gently. "Are you in the army,sir?"

  "Of course I am," I cried, answering without consideration.

  "I thought so, sir; although your clothes do not proclaim the fact. May Iask which army?"

  He had turned the tables most neatly, and I glanced down over my roughgarments, awakening suddenly to the knowledge that I was also inmasquerade. To be sure I had one advantage--I knew these men had beenpart of Delavan's foragers, and hence at heart must be loyalists.

  "That is not a question I intend answering to every ruffian who stops meon the highway," I returned shortly. "I wish to know what this outragemeans? I will know, you wooden-headed image! I was about my business whenthe four of you attacked me. I wasn't the man you were after at all, andyet I am held prisoner, shut up here behind iron bars. What is thisplace, anyhow?"

  "It is called 'Elmhurst,' sir."

  "Elmhurst? A country estate?"

  "Yes, sir, one of the old plantations."

  "It's a name I never heard. Where is that precious lieutenant?"

  "I presume he is in bed, sir," and Peter rose quietly to his feet, andbegan replacing the dishes on his tray. Apparently there was not anervous throb to his pulse, and he remained blissfully indifferent to mypresence. I stared helplessly at him, even words failing me.

  "You refuse to inform me as to the truth of this affair?" I faltered atlast, as he lifted his burden on one arm. He turned a stolid face my way.

  "It would seem so, sir. I have to thank you for a most delightfulevening, sir. Your conversation has been both instructive andentertaining. However, sir, the hour is now late, and I should adviseyour retiring."

  He bowed solemnly, backing toward the door, and I sprang to my feet,overtaken by a sudden determination to make a break for freedom. Therewas a slight glitter in Peter's gray eyes, as he rapped sharply with hisheel on the wood.

  "I hardly think that would be advisable, sir," he warned softly. "The manoutside is armed, and in the excitement might hurt you."

  There was a click of the lock, and the heavy door swung open. I stoodmotionless, tempted to spring, yet not daring the venture. Peter backedmajestically out, and I caught a glimpse of the graybeard, and the blackoutline of a pistol. Then the door closed, leaving me alone. The littlescrap of candle left sputtered feebly, and, after walking across thefloor a half-dozen times, striving to gain control of my temper, I blewit out, and crawled into the bunk. There was nothing I could do, but waitfor morning; not a sound reached me from without, and, before I realizedthe possibility, I was fast asleep.

  I must have slept long and soundly, for when I finally awoke a gleam ofsun lay the full length of the room, and food was upon the table. Someone--Peter, no doubt--had entered and departed without arousing me. Well,it was apparent there was no intention of ill-treating me beyond therestraint of imprisonment, for the breakfast served was ample and wellcooked. Sleep had left me in a pleasanter frame of mind, and I ateheartily, wondering vaguely what the day would disclose. I determined onething, that when Peter returned for the dishes, I would back him into acorner and choke at least a portion of the truth out of his unwillingthroat. I had hardly reached this decision when the door opened, and hestood there gazing at me with sphinx-like stupidity. I arose to my feet,gripping the back of a chair, but the utter vacancy in that face seemedto numb action. There was no positive expression, no dim glimmer ofinterest in his features; the shining bald head alone gave him agrotesque appearance, restraining me from violence. I could as easilyhave warred with a baby.

  "I trust, sir, you slept well," he said soothingly, "and that the serviceis satisfactory."

  I choked back my indignation, the quiet deference of his manner causingme to feel like a brute.

  "Nothing could be added to my happiness," I answered, "unless it might bea little information which you seem disinclined to furnish."

  He waved one hand, as though brushing calmly aside some imagined insect.

  "Disinclined? Oh, no, sir; there is nothing to conceal, sir, I assureyou."

  "Then, for God's sake, let it out of your system, man!" I burst forthimpatiently. "Whom am I a prisoner to? What am I held for? What sort oftreatment is this I am receiving?"

  Peter bowed, without the tremor of an eyelash.

  "Do not mention it, sir," he murmured smoothly; "we are only too proud tohave you as our guest at Elmhurst. It has been very quiet here now forsome weeks, sir, and your coming was welcome to us all."

  I could only stare at the fellow with open mouth, so dumbfounded as to bespeechless. Of all the idiots I had ever met he was the worst, or elsehis acting was magnificent. To save me I was not certain which might bethe correct guess. He continued in stately solemnity.

  "I trust there remains nothing more you desire to learn, sir? If not, Iam requested to conduct you to the library. Ah, thank you, sir--this way,pl
ease."

  He stood aside, statue-like, his eyes looking directly past me, andpointed with dignity to the open door. I obeyed the calm movement of thathand as though it had been a military order, but, as I stepped into thetwilight of the outer basement, I suddenly perceived the presence thereof the attendant graybeard. He moved in advance, and I followed, awarethat Peter was closely at my heels. Thus we proceeded up the stairs, andinto the upper passage. My eyes surveyed the wide hall, and caughtglimpses of the great rooms opening upon either side. Accustomed from mychildhood to those stately Colonial homes along the Eastern shore, Icould yet recall none more spacious, or more richly furnished. Thedevastating touch of war had left no visible impress here, and on everyhand were evidences of wealth and taste. My feet sunk deeply into silkencarpets, and the breeze through opened windows blew aside gossamercurtains. Involuntarily I lifted my head.

  "Whose home is this?" I asked, but neither of the men answered, or somuch as glanced at me. The graybeard threw open a door, standing aside asthough on guard, and I stepped across the threshold. A glance told mehere was a library, not only in name, but in fact, a large square room,well lighted, the furniture mahogany, shining like glass, three of thewalls lined with books, mostly in sombre bindings. A green-topped tableoccupied the centre of the apartment, a massive affair, flanked by aleather upholstered reading chair, while before the front windows werecushioned ledges. My rapid glimpse about ended in Peter standing indignified silence barely within the door, his hand upon the knob.

  "I am authorized, sir," he said impressively, gazing directly across myshoulder, not a feature expressing emotion, "to permit you to remain hereon 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 trustyou will repose sufficient confidence in me not to object. The solerequirements 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 butted my headagainst that stone wall sufficiently to learn the uselessness of anyfurther attempt. Peter was Peter, and I crushed back my first impatientexclamation to say humbly,

  "All right, my man, I'll wait here."

  I sank back into the upholstered chair, and for a moment after he hadclosed the door I did not move. Then, scarcely knowing whether to laughor swear over the situation, I crossed the room, and gazed out throughthe window. Far down the winding driveway, half concealed behind thetrees, a body of British troops was tramping toward the house.