"To be a surgeon, or even an apothecary in such a lonely place, would profit mankind or myself very little," proceeded the man in his usual tone of grave gentleness.

He smiled at the boy, who nodded a reply. Again the odd sound was repeated. It was murmurous and lingering, rising and falling in a measured sort of way.

"It is within the house," Ezra told himself. "And it is the voice of some one in conversation."

But he felt the dark eyes of the Oriental fixed upon him and his face never changed. The sound, apparently, was one that Abdallah would prefer to have unheard; so Ezra's face held nothing but polite interest in the other's remarks.

"I suppose you are quite right," said the boy. "And so," with the suspicions of the farmers well in mind, "you devote your time solely to the study of your philosophy?"

"Entirely so," replied Abdallah, suavely. "It is a great science, and to get even the rudiments of it, one must spare neither one's self nor time."

Again came the murmurous sound. Whoever the talkers were, they seemed to be deep in some discussion. As Ezra watched he saw the habitually gentle look leave the eyes of the Oriental; the pleasant mouth tightened and grew hard, the long-fingered brown hands clenched.

"I will ask your pardon," said Abdallah in his smooth voice. That he was filled with a bitter anger was plain; but he held himself wonderfully in control. He bent his head in a salaam of much dignity; then drawing aside some hangings that concealed a doorway, he disappeared.

Ezra settled back more comfortably into his easy seat.

"Master Abdallah evidently does not lead the lonely life that my friends of a short time ago supposed," said he. "If these are not regular inmates of his house, they are persons over whom he professes some control; at least his manner said as much."

There was a huge clock in the room that ticked with steady, solemn regularity. Now and then a candle sputtered or leaped behind its rose-colored shade. But these were the only sounds that Ezra heard.

"Whoever it was, he has silenced them," smiled the boy. "Behind that soft manner, our friend has a temper of his own. I saw that from the first."

But another moment proved that Abdallah's was not the only temper in the house. Suddenly the silence was split by a heavy voice, thundering:

"What do you mean, sir? What do you mean by addressing me in that manner?"

A quick, excited murmur followed. Then the heavy voice was heard once more.

"I know we are in his house. I am perfectly aware of it. But that does not deprive me of the right to protect myself from impudence."

Abdallah's voice was then heard; but it was pitched so low that Ezra could not catch the words. After a moment the heavy voice came again.

"Of course, sir, that puts a different face upon the matter. But you should have warned us to moderate our tones. Remember, I am Major Buckstone of His Majesty's Artillery, and I permit no man to hector me."

"Hush-h-h-h!" came another voice. And then there was a silence.

"It seems that Major Buckstone is a person quite ready and competent to regulate his own affairs," smiled the boy. Then his brows puckered thoughtfully as he continued: "And the fact that he is of His Majesty's Artillery makes him a gentleman of whom I should take more than ordinary notice."

On the whole, as he thought the situation over, all the persons concerned were of great interest to him and to the cause of the colonies. Here was a stranger, an Oriental, who received mysterious communications from equally mysterious hors.e.m.e.n. And here, also, were British officers making his house a place of resort and carrying on conversations which would not allow of being overheard.

"Decidedly," said Ezra, "it has an interesting look. And I am quite pleased that I chanced to come this way and overtake Master Scarlett as I did."

His thoughts had run this far when once again the mighty voice of Major Buckstone was heard.

"But, sir," it cried, "I disagree with you. I utterly disagree with you.

You may have your own ways of doing these things. If so, you are perfectly welcome to them. But I am a soldier, sir; an officer in His Majesty's Artillery, and I am accustomed to do things in my own way."

A soft protest followed, but the thunderous major cut it short.

"If this gentleman has been trusted thus far, he can be trusted further," he declared. "Why should we remain concealed in the houses of our friends? It is preposterous!"

A sharp moving about of furniture followed as though some one had pushed back a heavy chair; then footsteps were heard, the hangings parted and a burly, red-faced man entered the room.

CHAPTER IV

TELLS WHAT BEFELL EZRA THEREIN

Directly behind the red-faced man came Abdallah, and a small, weazened-looking youth, with the face of a ferret and the covert manners of a fox.

That Abdallah was not pleased with the situation was very evident. There was an angry light burning in the dark eyes; and though his manner was as suave as ever, his voice, as he spoke, had gained distinctly in sharpness.

"This," said he, addressing Ezra, who had arisen, "is a gentleman who insisted upon making your acquaintance."

Major Buckstone laughed loudly, and held out his hand to the boy.

"And that is the plain truth," spoke he, with great heartiness of manner. "I am a bluff soldier, young sir, and I am always delighted to see those who do their work out in the open."

As he said this, his eyes went quickly to Abdallah and the ferret-faced young man. It was the latter who made answer.

"In a time like this, Major Buckstone," said he, "there is work of all sorts to be done for His Majesty, the King. You have your place-we have ours."

"And you will pardon me for saying it, I'm sure," said Abdallah, also addressing the major, "but your place is decidedly not here."

The words were softly spoken; but, for all, there was behind them the bitter resentment of a man not accustomed to being crossed.

Major Buckstone drew himself up, and saluted formally.

"Sir," he made reply, "you have complimented me highly. You are quite right. This is not my place. In plain words, a man of my quality should never have been detailed upon such duty."

The ferret-faced youth, his eyes full of alarm, furtively tugged at the speaker's sleeve; then he whispered some words of caution. But the burly soldier shook him off impatiently.

"I understand you very well, Jason Collyer," said he with ponderous disdain. "But as I have told you many times in this last twenty-four hours, I will pay no heed to you. I have my own way of conducting my own business, and that I will persist in."

Abdallah made a sign to the ferret-faced youth, and the latter fell back from the plainspoken major. Then the two drew together at a far corner of the room and consulted in whispers. The major turned to Ezra once more.

"You have ridden from Cambridge, I understand," said he.

"I have," replied the lad, briefly.

"It has been a week since I pa.s.sed through the rebel lines," said the officer. "I was in disguise," in a tone of great disgust. "Much rather would I have been in full uniform, and at the head of two regiments of hardy fellows." Then in another tone, "But what news?"

"The papers, I should think," and Ezra nodded toward Abdallah, "would tell you everything."