"Thee is unjust, my cousin," began Peggy, when Harriet interrupted her. "That is simply pig-headedness, Cliff. If Sally Evans said that she did not betray you, then she didn't. That's all there is to it. When you come to know these Quakers as I do you will find that they always speak truth." "Thank thee, Harriet," said Peggy gratefully, not a little delighted that her cousin should speak so warmly. "But I won't say anything more to thy brother anent Sally if he does not wish to hear it. Sally would not like it." "'Tis close in these barracks," cried Harriet rising. "Let's call John Drayton, so that you can give him your parole, Clifford. We are to have dinner at two. It will be ready by the time we are there." Clifford Owen's lips set in a straight line of determination, but before he could speak the door opened to admit David Owen, Robert Dale, and John Drayton. The countenances of all three were very serious, and Peggy felt her heart begin to throb with anticipation of approaching disaster. Something had gone amiss. What could it be? Harriet noticed nothing unusual in their appearance, and flashed a brilliant smile at them. "You are just in time, Cousin David," she cried, "to help us persuade this obstinate brother of mine to give his parole to Captain Drayton." "A moment first, lass." David Owen's voice was very grave. "Tell me what was in the wagon in which thee came?" "There were supplies for our soldiers, sir," she answered. "Table stores and clothing. Why do you ask? Your Congress permits them to be sent." "True, lass," he said. "True. Does thee know what my work here is?" "I did not know until this morning," she told him gazing at him fearfully. "Then I learned that it was to check the contraband trade which is held betwixt your people and mine." "That is it exactly," Mr. Owen made answer. "Harriet, it gives me much pain, but I must ask thee if thee----" But at this point Clifford Owen went quickly to his sister's side, and faced Mr. Owen boldly. "Of what do you accuse my sister, sir?" he asked. "Hath she not just said the wagon contained stores for our soldiers?" "Yes, lad; but it also contains many pounds of goods which are illegal to bring to thy soldiers." "And if it does contain such articles she knows naught of how they came there," spoke the youth wrathfully, his face white with anger. "We are not traders, sir. Harriet would not stoop to smuggle goods here. Why do you not ask the driver concerning the matter?" "He hath disappeared, Clifford. I pray thee to permit thy sister to answer for herself." Mr. Owen spoke with great mildness but none the less firmly. Harriet's face became pale as he turned toward her. Her gaze clung to his as though fascinated. "What did you find, Cousin David?" she half whispered. "A false bottom in the wagon, together with false sides, which gave the vehicle capacity for five hundred pounds of contraband goods," he told her.