“Leave my sword!” commanded Peyton.
“Can’t, sir!” said Williams, affably. “Miss Elizabeth’s orders were to take it away.”
Williams thereupon went from the room, crossed the east hall, and entered the dining-room, to report to Elizabeth, who now sat at supper with Miss Sally and Mr. Valentine.
Cuff, with basin of water in one hand, took up the hat, sword, and scabbard, with the other.
“Miss Elizabeth!” mused Peyton. “Queen Elizabeth, I should say, in this house. Gad, to be a girl’s prisoner, tied down to a sofa by so small a cut!” Hereupon he addressed Cuff, who was about to depart: “Where is your mistress?”
“In the dining-room, eating supper.”
“And Mr. Colden, whom I saw in that hall about an hour ago, when I bought the horse?”
“Major Colden rode back to New York.”
“Major Colden! Major of what?”
“New Juzzey Vollingteers, sir.”