That bluff, honest old soldier was seated frowning over some papers.
“Hah!” said he to Ezra, as the sentry led them in, “here is a communication just come to me regarding you, young sir. It will require your attention at once.”
Ezra took the paper from the major’s hand and scanned it. It ran as follows:
“Major Buckstone:
“Sir:—When George Prentiss, my grandson, next reports to you, inform him that his presence is required at my house in Sun Court at once.
“Your obliged and humble servant,
“Seth Prentiss.”
“I will go immediately,” said the boy. “Thank you, Major Buckstone.”
They left the headquarters and proceeded along the street in the direction of the old merchant’s mansion.
“Something,” said Gilbert Scarlett, “is in the air. Within an hour you will be much wiser than you are now at this moment.”
“It must be of more than ordinary importance,” said Ezra. “For he said on that last night at his house, you remember, that he never wanted to see me or hear of me again.”
“Until you had cleared yourself of mishandling Major Buckstone’s dispatch,” the other reminded him. “Perhaps the chance has now come for you to do that.”
The two parted at the point where Fish Street opened into Prince’s; Scarlett went his way toward the “Jolly Rover,” while Ezra continued along Prince’s until he reached Sun Court.