The two were still laughing and discussing the matter when the old merchant reëntered. Then Major Hyde begged leave to retire for a moment.
“I have this matter noted down in a little book which I usually carry,” said he to George. “But it is in the pocket of another coat which I sent on here with some other traps a week ago. I’ll hunt it up and get all straight.”
“Not a moment do you get out of my sight,” declared the dragoon. “If you go, I’ll go with you.”
“Come along then,” laughed the other. “I’ll play fair. You shall have a peep with me.”
And so out they went; and George heard them go stamping up the stairs, wrangling and protesting and laughing; and as he listened, the young man somehow felt a doubt creep into his mind.
CHAPTER XVI
PEGGY SPEAKS HER MIND
“Was it really as they said?” George Prentiss asked himself. “Was the thing a jest, after all? Or was it——”
Here his thoughts were interrupted by the old Tory.
“Huh!” grunted that worthy gentleman. “It would seem that my nephew, the major, is in wonderful spirits to-night. Something must have pleased him vastly, for I never saw him so before, that I can recall.”
There was a swish of silken skirts as a door opened.