"Oh, I see," laughing coarsely. "Something besides military duty involved, eh?"
"I'll trouble you to be a trifle more careful, MacHugh," Grant said stiffly. "The fellow did her a small service in the afternoon, and she couldn't refuse dancing with him, as he was in uniform, and apparently all right. I advise you to drop that part of the affair. Here's Carter now."
I could hear the click of the newcomer's spurs as he crossed the room. MacHugh chuckled.
"Touchy about it just the same, I see; however we'll pass up the lady. Carter, there has been a spy in here to-night, calling himself Lieutenant Fortesque, of the 42nd Regiment. He came through the lines this morning with despatches for Howe, I understand. Did you meet him?"
"No, sir, but one of my men was riding about with him all day--Watts; I heard him telling about it an hour ago."
"Covered everything, I judge, from Callowhill to the Lower Battery. Watts said he asked questions of everybody they met, but he didn't take any notes. He liked the fellow, but thought he was mighty inquisitive. Where is he now, sir?"
"The devil knows, I don't, and you'll have to find out. He'll head northwest likely; he'll never try to cross the river here. How many men have you?"
"Scatter them to every north post. The fellow had no horse, and your troopers can easily get ahead of him. Hurry up now." Carter departed with click of steel, and MacHugh evidently turned to his companion.
"We'll catch the lad all right, Grant. Some of those outposts will nab him before daylight. No use our waiting around here; let's go back upstairs."
The girl's nervous grasp on my arm tightened, her lips pressed close to my ear.
"I--I must get back to my place at the table," she whispered. "Surely you know what to do; this is a rear door; there are stables a hundred feet away; you must get a horse, and ride fast--you--you will do this!"
"Yes, of course--but how can I thank you?"
"Don't try; don't ever even think of it again. I hardly know what mad impulse sent me here. Now I have but one thought--to hurry you away, and get safely back myself--you will go?"
"Not now! there is no time for explanation, promises, anything. You heard what they said; every avenue of escape will be blocked within an hour. If you go at once you can outride them--please, please go!"