“Ah,” said Ben Cooper.
His eyes went about the room, seeking Paddy; but the Irish lad was nowhere to be seen. Indeed, now that he thought about the matter, he had not seen his friend since a few moments before the now subdued giant had begun his destruction of the furniture.
“I don’t see my friend,” said he to the man opposite him.
Bleekwood took his eyes from the ceiling. “There were one or two of my fellows close at hand a few minutes ago, and I signaled them that he was the person they were waiting for. I rather think,” languidly glancing here and there, “that they have managed to draw him away somewhere.”
With the full knowledge strong upon him as to what this meant, Ben Cooper was startled. But he did not permit it to be seen.
“You were speaking of the Marquis,” said he, insinuatingly. “But, to be candid, I do not see just why he should be bothered about. He is but a boy—he has no experience as a soldier. If Master Hawkins desires to attract officers from Washington’s army, why does he not make an effort upon Greene, or Sterling, or Wayne?”
But Bleekwood waved one long, thin hand.
“Greene and Wayne and Sterling are all very well,” said he. “Most excellent generals, every one. But we are not seeking generals, my dear sir. No, no! far from it. We have generals a-plenty. What is required is the influence that will count across the sea.”
“Across the sea?” said Ben.
“In France, to be more explicit. Master Silas Dean and Master Benjamin Franklin have done much to arouse interest there in the American cause. And now that a great victory has been won at Saratoga, France will see her way clear to taking definite steps in the matter. If the French king sends over a fleet and an army, which he will now no doubt do, his stated preference to Congress as to what leader his commander shall deal with will have a powerful bearing upon Congress.”