“It was my father that found out about the paper and sent for Danvers to come to Philadelphia so that he might be able to get his hands on it. Isn’t that so, Danvers?”
“Yes,” replied Danvers. “The information given me was correct, and if the paper is found you get your full share of the reward.”
“I’ve done all I could to make up for any little lapses which I might have made,” whined Blake. “Only for me you wouldn’t have known that Captain Jones came this way.”
Ethan felt a strong pressure upon his arm, and turning found the commander of the Ranger staring into his face from under frowning brows.
“They have followed us,” said he. “And they intend to stop at nothing that will bring them success.”
“They realize the value of the papers, or this man Danvers does, at least; and there is a reward offered, it seems, for their delivery to the proper persons.”
“This boy who just now spoke,” said Captain Jones, “you said you knew him, did you not? and that he was of a Tory family?”
“There must be a leak somewhere, when a Tory could get wind of so secret a document in time to place himself in communication with an emissary of the crown. But as matters stand there is only one thing to do; if we cannot avoid them, we must fight them! The papers must reach the hands of Mr. Franklin without accident.”
As he spoke the commander of the Ranger drew his sword around so that it would be nearer his hand and looked to the priming of the pistol which he carried in his belt. Ethan did likewise, and then they sat silently before the fire, listening, and waiting for whatever might happen. The voices of those in the supper room sank lower for a time and the two could not make out what was being said. At length, however, Blake cried:
“I tell you they can’t be very far ahead. If this snow had not come up we would have overtaken them.”
“Perhaps,” suggested Stephen Wheelock, “they might even have stopped here to-night.”
Silence followed this--a silence that showed the interest which the remark caused among the newcomers.
“Yes, monsieur,” quickly responded that individual, crossing the room.
“Have you seen anything of any travelers to-night?”
“Only the gentlemen who stopped here, monsieurs.”
Captain Jones and Ethan Carlyle heard a sudden drawing back of stools and a chorus of sharp, breathless exclamations.