ing eyes to mark it, made the dash up
the steps.

Happily for the success of the adventure there was an angle in the
narrow stair to hide me whilst I lifted the trap door in the court-room
floor a scant half-inch and got my bearings. As I had hoped, the trap
opened behind the jury box, and I was able to raise it cautiously and so
to draw myself up into the room above, unseen and unheard.

A peep around the corner of the high jury stalls showed me my Lord and
his suite gathered about the lawyers' table in front of the bar. Of the
staff I recognized only Stedman, the commissary-general; Tarleton,
looking something the worse for his late illness; Major Hanger, his
second in command, and the young Irishman, Lord Rawdon.

At the moment of my espial, Cornwallis was speaking, and I drew back to
listen, well enough content to be in earshot. For if my good angel had
timed my coming I could not have arrived at a more opportune moment.

"What we have to consider now is how best to reach Ferguson with an
express instantly," his Lordship was saying. "This rising of the
over-mountain men is likely to prove a serious matter--not only for the
major, but for the king's cause in the two provinces. Lacking positive
orders to the contrary, Ferguson will fight--we all know that; and if he
should be defeated 'twill hopelessly undo his work among the border
loyalists and set us back another twelvemonth."

"Then your Lordship will order him to come in with what he has?" said a
voice which I knew for Colonel Tarleton's.

"Instanter, had I a sure man to send."

"Pshaw! I can find you a hundred amongst the late royalist recruits."
'Twas young Lord Rawdon who said this.

"Damn them!" said his Lordship shortly; "I would sooner trust this new
aide of mine. He comes straight from the major and can find his way back
again."

Tarleton laughed. "I fear we shall never agree upon him, my Lord. I know
not how he has made his peace with you, but I do assure you he is as
great a rascal as ever went unhung. 'Tis true, as you say, I did not go
into the particulars; but were Captain Stuart or Sir Francis Falconnet
here, either of them would convince your Lordship in a twinkling."

There was silence for a little space following the colonel's
denunciation of me, and then my Lord broke it to say: "I may not be so
credulous as you think, Colonel. Rebel spy or true-blue loyalist, he is
safe enough for the present. In the meantime in this matter of reachin