," he said. "True. Does thee know what my work here is?"

"I did not know until this morning," she told him gazing at him
fearfully. "Then I learned that it was to check the contraband trade
which is held betwixt your people and mine."

"That is it exactly," Mr. Owen made answer. "Harriet, it gives me much
pain, but I must ask thee if thee----"

But at this point Clifford Owen went quickly to his sister's side, and
faced Mr. Owen boldly.

"Of what do you accuse my sister, sir?" he asked. "Hath she not just
said the wagon contained stores for our soldiers?"

"Yes, lad; but it also contains many pounds of goods which are illegal
to bring to thy soldiers."

"And if it does contain such articles she knows naught of how they
came there," spoke the youth wrathfully, his face white with anger.
"We are not traders, sir. Harriet would not stoop to smuggle goods
here. Why do you not ask the driver concerning the matter?"

"He hath disappeared, Clifford. I pray thee to permit thy sister to
answer for herself." Mr. Owen spoke with great mildness but none the
less firmly.

Harriet's face became pale as he turned toward her. Her gaze clung to
his as though fascinated.

"What did you find, Cousin David?" she half whispered.

"A false bottom in the wagon, together with false sides, which gave
the vehicle capacity for five hundred pounds of contraband goods," he
told her.

"Truly?" she cried, sitting bolt upright. Her wonder and amaze were
such that none could doubt her sincerity. "Why, they did not tell me
about that. Truly, truly, Cousin David, I knew naught about that."

Was there the slightest emphasis on the "that"? Peggy asked the
question of herself almost unconsciously. She glanced at the others.
The faces of her father and Robert Dale were glowing with relief and
satisfaction. Clifford's belligerent attitude had relaxed slightly at
his sister's declaration. John Drayton's glance alone met hers with
understanding.

"I believe thee, lass," cried Mr. Owen heartily. "Robert here would
have it that thee knew naught of the matter. Thee understands that
'twas my duty to probe the affair."

"Why, it's all right, Cousin David," she returned sweetly. "You had to
do your duty, of course, and there's no harm done. And I thank you,
Major Dale, for your belief in me. I shall never forget it." The tears
came into her lovely eyes as she spoke, making them lovelier than
ever.

"I knew that you would not be guilty of such a t