Then he added: "But we are losing valuable time, and I have something more pleasant than battles to speak about. I take it, Mistress Devereux,"—and he turned to Mary,—"that your little sister here has made you aware of what passed between us but an hour ago?"
"Yes, sir." And Mary stole a side glance at Dorothy, wondering that the girl should appear so self-possessed.
"Captain Southorn will go with me to Cambridge," he continued, "where his ultimate disposition will be decided upon."
Dorothy started; but looking at Washington, she saw a smile in the kindly glance bent upon her troubled face.
"He will also meet Lieutenant Devereux there, and this I deem a desirable thing for all concerned. So take heart, Mistress Dorothy, and trust that all will end happily."
He looked at his watch, and then held out a hand to each of them.
"Get you under way for Dorchester at once," he said, "and you shall hear something from me within the week."
With this he led them to the door and bade them God speed, warning them once more to make haste in leaving the inn.
When they had put on their riding-hats, and gathered up their few belongings, the two girls left their room in company with Mistress Trask, who, between the excitement of seeing her distinguished guests depart, and the unusual exercise attending the concealment of her choicest viands from the approaching enemy, was well-nigh speechless.
Emerging from the narrow passage leading to the main hall of the inn, they encountered a small knot of men looking curiously at Captain Southorn and the two soldiers guarding him, who were standing at the foot of the staircase, apart from the others, and were apparently waiting for orders, while outside the open door several other men were gathered, in charge of a dozen or more horses.