The old man showed great emotion and his tone was one of honesty.
“No—no; not you, colonel. But—young ladies are sometimes rashly influenced by a good-looking stranger,” and he looked at Mara who was a silent spectator.
Colonel Morland caught the meaning of that look; at least he exclaimed:
“Explain yourself, Captain Dermot.”
“Ask the young lady if she has seen the man we are in quest of,” he replied.
“Mara, have you seen Cavalry Curt?” questioned her grandparent.
“Grandpa,” and she spoke quite calmly, “I cannot answer that question, for I do not know Cavalry Curt, I have told Captain Dermot that a man answering to his description was here this morning. He came here soon after you left me. Where he is now I cannot tell. Were Captain Dermot a gentleman he would not trouble us further.”
“Ha—ha! you see how it is, captain. You have no reason to doubt our loyalty, I hope you will capture the Yankee dog. Were I not so old I would join you in the search.”
“Bah! Colonel Morland, you jump to a hasty conclusion, it is not your loyalty that we doubt, but the girl’s! We know the Yankee dog is in this house!”
The other started with a look of amazement.