“You will pardon me, but I am going over the house to make sure that all is well.”
George smiled faintly.
“There has been no harm done me, as you can see.”
“I am delighted to hear it. But it’s most strange. It sounded much as though it were within the house, and yet it scarcely could be. Pardon me again for disturbing you.”
All night long George sat in the empty chair by the hearth; the rain ceased, the clouds drifted away and both moon and stars looked serenely down upon the drenched earth. And when morning came he descended to find the servants already loading the household valuables into covered wagons. He ate breakfast with his host.
“I’ve always kept this place intact against my infrequent visits,” said he to George. “But nothing will be safe, now that a war is upon us, and I’m taking away all I may.”
“Have Major Hyde and Captain Henderson not yet arisen?” asked the young man.
“An hour ago,” was the answer. “They could not await you, and begged me to mention their regrets. And my niece is discommoded with a headache, a thing uncommon with her. So I will be forced to say good-bye for her,” added the honest old gentleman a few moments later when George arose to take his leave. “But believe me, we were all pleased to see you and will be again when it is possible. Should you ever cross the Jerseys, lad, don’t fail to hunt us out. The Elms, we call the place, and it’s less than a dozen miles out of the town of Trenton.”
“I shall be glad to do so, sir,” said the youth.
The old gentleman lowered his voice so that none of the bustling servants might hear.