“Yes, I think so,” replied Ben. “But, tell me, how did it come about?”
“As I were standing watching the landlord and the rampaging fellow a while back,” said Paddy, “a gossoon comes up to me and begins a bit of a discussion. I’ll never know how it came about, but soon we were head over ears in a quarrel; and then he invited me to the outside where we could settle the matter without further words. Out I goes with him, behind the inn; but sorra a blow was struck before the rest of them made at me. So I slipped open the window nearest me and dove in with the lot of them after me. The rest, I think, you know already.”
“And a-plenty it is to know, faith,” said the voice of Molly Hayes. “Sure, it’s fair ashamed of myself I am for making such a botheration as I have to-night. But a body must not allow himself to be imposed upon. And above all, the lieutenant must not be disturbed.”
As the girl spoke Ben for the first time saw a pale young man, with a bandage about his head, propped up on a sort of couch. There was something familiar in his aspect, but Ben did not recognize him until he spoke.
“What,” said he, “and have I changed so much, Cooper, that you do not remember me?”
“Lieutenant Claflin!” Ben advanced and took the wasted hand held out to him. “Why, can it be you, indeed?”
“All that’s left of me,” said Lieutenant Claflin with a wan smile. “I happened to have been sent to the neighborhood of the Highland forts some little time ago; and on the day the British made their attack, I was at Fort Clinton.”
“Were you badly hurt?” asked Ben.
“It could have been worse,” said Claflin. “But it was bad enough as it was. However, I am now on the mend, and Molly, here, is taking me home.”
“Home?” Ben looked puzzled.