When she discovered him she screamed, and started back in astonishment and terror, dropping the dish; but she still held the light which she had brought from the sick room. Somers regarded the meeting as a very unfortunate occurrence, and wished he had been prudent enough to go out at the front door; but it was too late to indulge in vain regrets, and the situation was sufficiently perilous to induce him to resort at once to decisive measures, for the tongue of the woman was hardly less dangerous than a squad of rebel cavalry.
“Who are you?” asked the lady, when she had recovered herself sufficiently to speak.
“It matters not who I am,” replied Somers, disguising his voice as much as he could.
“Captain Somers!” exclaimed she, shrinking back still farther.
“I am sorry, for your sake, that you have recognized me,” replied he, dropping the collar of his coat, which he had drawn up over his face. “Miss Hasbrouk, your discovery endangers my life; I am compelled either to shoot you, or—”
“To shoot me!” exclaimed she, with horror.
“What is the matter, Maud?” said a voice from the front room, which was followed by the appearance of Major Riggleston, whose head was tied up with bandages, as the surgeon had dressed it.
“It is Captain Somers,” said she, in trembling tones.
“It seems that I did not fully do my work,” added Somers, taking a pistol from his belt.
“Don’t fire, Somers, don’t,” said the major, in tones so feeble and piteous that Somers could not help being moved by them. “You have nearly killed me now, and you ought to be satisfied.”