ly, as if announcing a
distinguished guest:

"Captain Alfred Grant!"

There was an exclamation of surprise, a quick exchange of sentences
indistinguishable, although I was sure of Grant's peculiar accent, and
the other voice was that of the young Light Dragoon lieutenant. Uncertain
what best to do I stole toward the door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out, for I dare not venture to use the window which
was in plain view of those soldiers resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not, I possessed no means of knowing, yet I opened the
door silently a bare inch to make sure. At the same instant my ears
caught the lieutenant's dismissing order, even as my eyes had glimpse of
Swanson's broad back blocking the open doorway of a room nearly opposite.

"That will do, Peter, for the present. Have the table prepared for three
guests at once."

He backed out, casting a quick glance of caution in my direction, and
disappeared down the hall, rubbing his bald head industriously. I opened
the door wider, wondering if I dare venture upon slipping by unobserved.
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud enough to be easily heard:

"How did we come here? Why, where else could we go? The damned rebels
stripped us clean; we had to have food. This was the nearest place where
we were certain of getting any. Of course I didn't know you were here,
but I did know our foragers had left Elmhurst alone, and that--for some
cause which mystifies Clinton--these Jersey outlaws have been equally
considerate. There was plenty to be had here, and I meant to have it in
spite of the servants."

"You must have marched straight past your own place," the boyish voice
interrupted.

"Well, what if we did. There was nothing there, as you know. The house
has been stripped to a mere shell. Not a nigger left, nor a horse. I'd
like to know what influence keeps this property untouched!"

"That's easily answered. You forget we are a divided family, with
fighting men on either side."

"Little these outlaws care for that."

"At least they appear to, as we remain unmolested. There has not been a
raiding party halted here since the war began."

"Well, if you hadn't been at home, there would have been one along now,"
burst forth Grant rather roughly. "Those fellows out there are desperate
enough to sack the house if that was their only method of getting food.
And I promised they should have the chance."

"Oh, you did, indeed! That would hav