"Have you not a brother?"
"I have—or had. He," said William, laconically, "is in the American service."
"Think nothing of that," was the response. "My own father and two brothers hold positions of some importance under Washington. In fact, my own wife sides with the rebels." The Tory officer said this as if he were stating something quite ordinary. "This post-route of which we were speaking when you entered, and through which all the despatches go, runs through your country; and General Greene has cut a road, I take it, almost through your land. The 'Cowboys' and 'Skinners' keep things lively not far to the northward, but methinks it would be easy to obtain advices near Stanham Mills or at the Hewes's estates. They have turned your foundry into rebel gun-shops."
"Have they, indeed? I have heard no news for a long time from there."
William again relapsed into silence.
The inaction and the constant recurrence of the disagreeable dream of poor persecuted Liberty had begun to tell. Insidious horrible thoughts now and then flitted through his mind. Could he be doubtful of his own loyalty? No; but he must do something to prove it and put it to the test, if only for himself.
Then an idea came over him with such force as almost caused him to exclaim aloud, "Eureka!" he said, to himself. "I have it. For the King—for the King!'"
He pushed himself back from the table and hurried out of doors. He fairly ran down the street to the corner on which stood the handsome residence of General Howe.
"I would see the General on important business," he said to the sentry. "Tell him that it is most urgent."
The orderly, after some delay, brought back a message of admittance, and William followed him into the presence of the Commander-in-Chief.