All this flashed over me before Mortimer spoke.
"Have you any proofs, sir, that you are an officer of Maxwell's brigade ?" "Not here," and I glanced down at my rough clothing, "yet with a little delay that could be easily ascertained." "On what service are you in the Jerseys ?" "I must decline to answer." "Were you in Philadelphia, wearing British uniform three days ago ?" "If I should say no, it would be merely my word against Captain Grant--you would doubtless prefer to believe him." Grant whispered in his ear, the Colonel listening quietly.
"I am informed that you have already acknowledged being concealed in this house yesterday." "I have, sir." "Did any one know of your presence here ?" "I was brought here--a prisoner." "What!" in decided surprise.

"Prisoner to whom ?" "I was captured by three men, dressed as Queen's Rangers, on a road some miles to the west.

They made no explanation, although I have some reason to believe I was mistaken for another.

I was held in a strong room in the basement overnight." "You were not there when I searched the house," broke in Grant hoarsely.
"No," and I turned and smiled at him.

"I had been brought upstairs before you arrived." "Then you saw your captors by daylight ?" "Two of them, yes--a man called Peter, and an Irish fellow, with chin beard." "What!" and Mortimer started forward.