“Enter, then, and see for yourselves,� cried Polly. “My mother would earnestly desire you to purge her house of rebels!�
They came noisily in—while the young patriot’s heart beat fast—they peered into nooks and corners, and presently ascended to the attic.
“Do not forget the cellar!� cried Polly gaily, opening the door and handing her cousin a lighted candle. “Perchance the knave is hiding in some bin or box.�
The quest there proved as fruitless as in the chambers; but on emerging one of the party noted the closed door by the chimney and tried it. “Why locked?� he exclaimed. “The key, fair mistress.�
“For that you will do well to ask my mother,� replied Polly carelessly. “The closet is my mother’s keeping-room; and it is ever her custom to carry the key in her pocket.�
“True,� remarked her cousin, who knew the ways of the household. “The rogue will hardly have got into madam’s keeping-room. Doubtless he has slipped away.�
“If ever he were here,� flashed back Polly. “But beyond doubt, good cousin and gentlemen, you must be hungry after your hard ride. Will you not partake of our cheer?�
Nothing loath, the young redcoats gathered about the supper-table, where for an hour or more Polly maintained the reputation of the house for loyalty and good entertainment. In truth, the soldiers were slow to depart, and would hardly have gone by nine o’clock had not Polly adroitly reminded her kinsmen that the “Knave� they were pursuing would surely get clear away. Thereupon they took leave and rode off with much laughter.
But fearful lest they might return, Polly waited long listening, and not until old Rastus had come in to bar the outer door for the night and close the shutters would she release her prisoner.
“Come forth, sir,� she at last commanded, with assumed austerity. “What have we here? A rebel, I fear me, from all I am told.�