The sergeant scanned the package and its seal. In a measure it
was a passport, and he was forced to the conclusion that this
man was indeed the messenger he represented himself. Certainly
he had not the air nor the bearing of him for whom they waited,
nor did the sergeant think that their quarry would have armed
himself with a dummy package against such a strait. And yet
the sergeant was not master after all, and did he let this
fellow pursue his journey, he might reap trouble for it
hereafter; whilst likewise if he detained him, Colonel Pride,
he knew, was not an over-patient man. He was still debating
what course to take, and had turned to his companion with the
muttered question: "What think you, Peter?" when by his
precipitancy Kenneth ruined his slender chance of being
permitted to depart.

"I pray you, sir, now that you know my errand, suffer me to
pass on."

There was an eager tremor in his voice that the sergeant
mistook for fear. He noted it, and remembering the boy's
hesitancy in answering his earlier questions, he decided upon
his course of action.

"We shall not delay your journey, sir," he answered, eyeing
Kenneth sharply, "and as your way must lie through Waltham, I
will but ask you to suffer us to ride with you thus far, so
that there you may answer any questions our captain may have to
ask ere you proceed."