Turning to Nathan he went on hastily, and with an air of confusion: "This is a terrible story, my boy, terrible. I hardly know what to make of it. By God's mercy you have escaped death a dozen times over. And so Barnabas Otter is dead! You say he perished with this Tory ruffian. A braver man, and a truer friend never lived. But the packet of papers, my boy? I fear they are lost." "They will be recovered with the body," replied Nathan, "and if Noah Waxpenny has not been caught--" "Never mind about him," interrupted Captain Stanbury. "The papers are the most important, and for your sake I trust they will be found." "For my sake!" exclaimed Nathan. "Father, what does this mean? Why do you speak and act so strangely? What did Major Langdon want with the papers, and why is Noah Waxpenny seeking you both?" Captain Stanbury pressed one hand to his brow, and a look of anguish appeared on his face. "My boy, you shall know all," he said, in a tone of hoarse resolve. "Sooner or later the truth would have to come out. Major Langdon is--" Just then the rear door opened noisily and Jonas Welfare hurried into the room. "Captain, they are coming!" he exclaimed. "I hear the tramp of the horses on the road." CHAPTER XVII IN WHICH MR. WAXPENNY ASSERTS THE MAJESTY OF THE LAW, AND THE CURTAIN FALLS "Coming, are they?" said Captain Stanbury. "Well, I am ready." He buttoned his coat across his breast, and picked up a hat that lay on the table. "Can you furnish a couple of extra mounts, Welfare?" he added. "Yes, I can fix you," said the farmer. "I have three horses in the barn." "Father, where are you going?" exclaimed Nathan. "I am about to leave this noble gentleman's house for a safer refuge," Captain Stanbury answered. "To be brief, my boy, I fear I am in some danger. Last night the farmer's hireling, a surly fellow, whom I have long suspected, vanished mysteriously. I concluded that he had gone to New York to denounce me, and Welfare shared my opinion. He spent the day in beating up a score of loyal yeomen, and they are now here to take me to New Brunswick. You and Godfrey will go along, of course. The fact that the enemy have been raiding almost nightly between here and Sandy Hook, made a large escort necessary for my safety." Meanwhile the muffled sounds of hoofs and a jangle of equipments had been heard in the yard, and, now, just as the Captain finished his explanation, there was a sharp rap on the front door. "Is that you, Ruggles?" the farmer called loudly, as he led his companions into the hall. "Yes," was the almost inaudible response. "Open quickly!" "It's a strange voice!" gasped Welfare. "We are betrayed--the enemy are here!" "Already," murmured the Captain. "It can't be possible!" Godfrey and Nathan turned pale. There was a brief wait, and then the rap was repeated. "Open in the King's name, Jonas Welfare," demanded an angry voice. "Who are you? What do you want?" cried the farmer.