"But you have had some word--some news--from Appleby Hundred?" I
stammered feebly.

"Nothing you'd care to hear," he rejoined, evasively, I thought. "'Tis
as you left it, save that Tarleton whipped away to the south again as
suddenly as he came, and our cursing baronet has made the manor house
his headquarters in fact, lodging himself and all his troop on Mr.
Stair. From his lying quiet and keeping the Cherokees in tow, there will
be some deviltry afoot, I'll warrant."

I knew that Falconnet was waiting for the powder cargo, but another
matter crowded this aside.

"But--but Margery?" I queried, on sharpest tenter-hooks to know how much
or little he had heard.

I thought his brow darkened at the question, but mayhap it was only a
shadow cast by the flickering fire. At any rate, he laughed hardily.

"She is well--and well content, I dare swear. 'Twas only yesterday I saw
her taking the air on the river road, with Falconnet for an escort. You
told me once he had a sure hand with the women and it made me mad; but,
truly, I have come to think you drew it mild, Jack."

Now though I could ply a decent ready blade, or keep a firing line from
lurching at a pinch, I had not learned to put a snaffle on a blundering
tongue, as I have said before.

"Damn him as you please, Dick, and he'll warrant it. But you must not