Peggy Owen and Liberty Part 30

"Why, so I did, Cliff."

"Then there is no need to send for the major," he said firmly. "The goods pa.s.s through Cousin David's hands, and are then turned over to Major Gordon for distribution among us. He will get them without you troubling about them."

"Very well," she said. "Then let us talk about ourselves. Madam our cousin wishes you to take dinner with her to-day. Cousin David was called away by some matter pertaining to his work just as we were coming in, but he said that he would join us presently to insist upon your going. You must not refuse, Clifford. 'Twould be churlish."

"Clifford, do come," pleaded Peggy. "There is so much to talk about that we cannot begin to say half of it here. And Sally. I have somewhat to tell thee of Sally."

"I do not care to hear anything concerning Mistress Sally," he said loftily. "Naught that you can say anent the lady interests me."

"Thee is unjust, my cousin," began Peggy, when Harriet interrupted her.

"That is simply pig-headedness, Cliff. If Sally Evans said that she did not betray you, then she didn't. That's all there is to it. When you come to know these Quakers as I do you will find that they always speak truth."

"Thank thee, Harriet," said Peggy gratefully, not a little delighted that her cousin should speak so warmly. "But I won't say anything more to thy brother anent Sally if he does not wish to hear it. Sally would not like it."

"'Tis close in these barracks," cried Harriet rising. "Let's call John Drayton, so that you can give him your parole, Clifford. We are to have dinner at two. It will be ready by the time we are there."

Clifford Owen's lips set in a straight line of determination, but before he could speak the door opened to admit David Owen, Robert Dale, and John Drayton. The countenances of all three were very serious, and Peggy felt her heart begin to throb with antic.i.p.ation of approaching disaster. Something had gone amiss. What could it be?

Harriet noticed nothing unusual in their appearance, and flashed a brilliant smile at them.

"You are just in time, Cousin David," she cried, "to help us persuade this obstinate brother of mine to give his parole to Captain Drayton."

"A moment first, la.s.s." David Owen's voice was very grave. "Tell me what was in the wagon in which thee came?"

"There were supplies for our soldiers, sir," she answered. "Table stores and clothing. Why do you ask? Your Congress permits them to be sent."

"True, la.s.s," he said. "True. Does thee know what my work here is?"

"I did not know until this morning," she told him gazing at him fearfully. "Then I learned that it was to check the contraband trade which is held betwixt your people and mine."

"That is it exactly," Mr. Owen made answer. "Harriet, it gives me much pain, but I must ask thee if thee----"

But at this point Clifford Owen went quickly to his sister's side, and faced Mr. Owen boldly.

"Of what do you accuse my sister, sir?" he asked. "Hath she not just said the wagon contained stores for our soldiers?"

"Yes, lad; but it also contains many pounds of goods which are illegal to bring to thy soldiers."

"And if it does contain such articles she knows naught of how they came there," spoke the youth wrathfully, his face white with anger.

"We are not traders, sir. Harriet would not stoop to smuggle goods here. Why do you not ask the driver concerning the matter?"

"He hath disappeared, Clifford. I pray thee to permit thy sister to answer for herself." Mr. Owen spoke with great mildness but none the less firmly.

Harriet's face became pale as he turned toward her. Her gaze clung to his as though fascinated.

"What did you find, Cousin David?" she half whispered.

"A false bottom in the wagon, together with false sides, which gave the vehicle capacity for five hundred pounds of contraband goods," he told her.

"Truly?" she cried, sitting bolt upright. Her wonder and amaze were such that none could doubt her sincerity. "Why, they did not tell me about that. Truly, truly, Cousin David, I knew naught about that."

Was there the slightest emphasis on the "that"? Peggy asked the question of herself almost unconsciously. She glanced at the others.

The faces of her father and Robert Dale were glowing with relief and satisfaction. Clifford's belligerent att.i.tude had relaxed slightly at his sister's declaration. John Drayton's glance alone met hers with understanding.

"I believe thee, la.s.s," cried Mr. Owen heartily. "Robert here would have it that thee knew naught of the matter. Thee understands that 'twas my duty to probe the affair."

"Why, it's all right, Cousin David," she returned sweetly. "You had to do your duty, of course, and there's no harm done. And I thank you, Major Dale, for your belief in me. I shall never forget it." The tears came into her lovely eyes as she spoke, making them lovelier than ever.

"I knew that you would not be guilty of such a thing," exclaimed Robert Dale fervently.

"And now let's go home for dinner, and forget all about this little unpleasantness," exclaimed Mr. Owen. "Clifford, lad, we can't leave thee here. My wife will not forgive us if we do so."

Again Clifford's lips set in an obstinate line, but Drayton spoke quickly:

"Captain Williams, I know how it irks you to be obliged to give me your parole; so, if you will go with Mr. Owen, or the major here, to General Hazen, he will receive your parole."

For a moment Clifford struggled with himself. Then he said, and the effort it cost him was plainly visible:

"I can be as generous as you, sir. I give you my word of honor that I will make no attempt to escape while I am at large."

"Thank you," said Drayton simply. "You are at liberty to go with your relatives, sir."

Peggy lingered for a second behind the others.

"Isn't thee coming too, John?" she asked.

"Not to-day, Peggy. Clifford will enjoy it more if I am not there.

Odds life! he did well to give that parole. He deserves to have one day free of me. But, Peggy, I'll come out to-night, if I may. And don't worry about that wagon. I'll take it in hand while your father is not here."

"Was there anything else contraband in the wagon, John?" she queried anxiously that evening when the two found themselves alone on the piazza.

"Yes. The quartermaster was about to turn it over to Major Gordon when I told him I would take another look through the contents. Peggy, in a barrel of vinegar was a water tight cask just filled with goods. That slight emphasis on 'that' lost the British a pretty penny. I was alone when 'twas found, Peggy, so that no one knows about it but us two. We won't let your father, her brother, or Dale know about it. They all believe in her so, and I owe her something for what she did for me at Yorktown."

"Perchance she really does not know any more about this than she did about the false bottom to the wagon, John."

"It may be, Peggy. We will give her the benefit of the doubt, but it does look suspicious. She is not so high minded as her brother is."

"John!" Peggy hesitated and then spoke quickly: "Thee knows how proud I am of her, and that I am fond of her. She is so beautiful and brilliant that I cannot help but be glad when she is with us. But there is always an uneasy feeling too. Is there any mischief to the cause that could be done here?"

"No," he answered emphatically. "Aside from bringing in goods for the illicit trade there is but one thing that could be done now, Peggy, and that thing Harriet will never do. 'Twould be to peddle those illegal goods to the country folk about here. Harriet won't do that, Peggy."

"No, she would not do that," agreed Peggy.

"Then set your mind at rest concerning her. We have the goods which she was sent to bring. She will never know that all have been found; so there is mutual satisfaction on both sides. If you can get any enjoyment out of her presence, Peggy, do so."

"Thank thee, John. Thee has set my mind completely at rest," said Peggy.