The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 10, 1902, Page 6

THE SUNDAY CALL B ————— e e O LY O e ————————— e i en General Putnam’s recommendation of in the—to him—quite unknown art of de- ception. Thus he stepped inte the room, confidence shall mot be mis- ordered a mug of ale and, like myself, took a pipe and some tobacco, and, sit- *1 feel that it §s not.” ting himself near me, looked what lie 1 fail, as you say, sir, I doubtless was—the picture of uneasiness €} t ‘will be the end and discontent. While the two soldiers talked quietly by ur mind?” he asked, with the fire I turned to him and asked: = smile. _Have Jyou ogms ‘t'rom the westward?"” Ther a o leutenants in Colowel “A) from the river.” fe's command - “Have you heard what is to become of a bundle of pa- “Lieutenants AT o, there was naught given out when I left.” ® At the mention of Andre the two sol- diers by the fire stopped their conversa- ency. 1 them long and well?” them scarcely two tion, and one of them, turning toward the v them well.” table, sai: Yoy you" “Hé was taken from here day before possible.” vesterday. “Isn’t it known where he is confined?” ‘shail not tell them anything, I asked. The landlord here put in his oar ncy.” and ventured with you in ignorance?”’ “‘They do say as they took him to Tap- without knowing pan for trial 1f they suc- Holt; 'tis not likely so,” sald ugh. If they E “He went up to West Point, ithout ever I am sure.” i, /e cannot say a word here,” sald T ave men.” 2 Jow voice in Acton’s ear at this mo- our Excellency,” saf nt. “And yet must I talk with you I beg you, sir, to let the moment Curtis arrives. ance and counsel.” ‘Well, but would he not go that way m well, the other I sure asked the tavern-keeper. ‘“‘They’d of. You will an- be ared of a rescue down below.” “Can’t we go outside?” whispered Ac- ton. Lord forgive him! his whispers were like the rumbling of thunder. “Outside!” exclaimed the soldier, “what is there to go outside of?” Acton looked confused. “This gentleman refers to the frigate Vulture, which has been lying off Teller's Point. Doubtless he is right, and mayhap the ort was Instructed to keep well outside the reach of her guns.” sat down in his chair and t of the window sen, collecting hi e package of pa- inner room, and, em to me.. They x read them “0, aye, 't is likely #0,” said the soldier, an exclama- “for I have heard she lies there.” i Sir Henry 1 caught Acton on the point of saying C 2 hing to wreck the whole business, be allowed to and had just given him a jab beneath the es any- table when the door opened. Every one turned to see who else might be arriving C Chiet.” late hour, and I could not help a busi b; t curse at the luck to see two strange lowed to P enter, nod to the tavern-keeper, and at any time walk over to the fire. “A cold night, sirs,” said one of the 's moving on,” answered ier. id I softly, “but we must Meanwhile the newcom- ers ed a cold supper, the landlord having nothing else, and sat them dow by the table near us. They had scarcely ir meal when again the door 1 Curtis entered. ous face was as composed did the man disturb himself one in particular, but took m near the rest of spoke to Acton ne of the strangers oment. hat you have come from the r. Did you find the road fres ic 1 met not a soul from the time I left river.” We two are bound westward, and 'tis i the road to Gowan's v is full of ke 5 voluntered ng to-night, for 1 have but just Meantime 1 had by a: aught Curtis’ eye and n almost imperceptible movement saw ame thought in his mind that was working in mine. These two men coming from the east had a suspicious manner. her of us could have said just why at hat moment, but by this glance we both agreed to watch them. The meal went on nd in a few moments the two strangers pip and went over to the fire. was still eating. t are we to do?” I asked under my bre Wait,” sald Curtis in the same voice, and then he added aloud: “Master—er—" “Holt, sir, at your bidding, sir,” said the landlord, trying to bend his fat belly in a bow and rubbing his hands together. Master Holt, can you give me a room for to-night?” 'Well, yes, gentlemen,” said the tavern- keeper, "effusively. “Certainly; certainly; The landlord F!opged abruptly and turn- ed around, for the door at the back of the room opened and a little shaver ran up 1o him and was now tugging at his coat. CHAPTER XIIL THEE EPISODE OF HOLT'S TAVERN. North Castle was hardl age In a cluster of Yet did it boast a ; store, and was proud in of a house for travelers Tavern. This bouse was other in the town, 1780, for it consisted of bu houses along one road. general supp! except that perhaps it was a bit larger, The host stopped and listened to what ‘.ndeplhu it had & sign swinging before the boy had to say. Then out rang a the main door. 'Twas older, too, than Fowl from him and he turned g fie many of the other habitations in the vil- c..{ur, lage, znd slightly projecting upper stories witnessed that it had been built Shen the fear of Indians had been greater than the fear of Tories to-day. This pro- Jection of the upper story Was Dot more ihan = foot, but if, as you entered by the front door, you cast & look upward, thers might you see holes at regular intervals Which pierced the small projection. They were stuffed now with paper to keep out the cold, but there had been & time when our fathers had stood in the upper cham- Pers end fired good shots through these same openings, sending many & treacher- St Indian to his own happy or unhappy hunting ground. wnhfn. the house consisted, on the ground floor, of & hall running through to The back. On either side were moderately jarge rooms, and @t the back of the § was = flighy of steps going up to the eecond story, which, in turn, was divided nto four or five rooms. My God! oh! oh! sirs, we shall all be lled!” and he wrung his hands. What is °t, Holt, man? What's to o7 Cried the o solaiers. 5 1 ! theyr they'Ve been here beforel® I kuow em They krow 1 have a little set by for my 0id age! I'm ruined! I'm ruined!” the tears roiled down his cheeks, At this moment th from bebind the counter, and we. kyoe th wife had the news as well. Ev- e had arisen and was standing, when sueh &5 dnterruption at this - ma: 3 ewildered an th !‘I eried out: R ATt e “Well, man, what evil thee? Epeak upl” e e A e they're “The Skinners! the Bkinners! coming to rob g o T e b e, screamed the terri- Cnm lhfl(‘cnar” ®ald the s, “’twould not be To the right of the door, in the larger that bar across the rront.dmo:asr. ‘tno‘ d’rg room, burned now, at 1l of the night, a the shutters to.” la wood fire. bles stood here and Evidently the landl darge WO A he Dack ran & bench, or left, for 1n & bound ao Lo & Jittle sense calm volice of bar benind which sat a fat old woman and had the huge fron DS = 'Digh stool, so that she between the tws iren. stesiel 18 Dlace might sew and stil keep her bulging eve Tis bad, bad!” I muttores pn ell that took place within the cham- ber. By the fire sat two men, whom I Fightly guessed to be American soldiers, and in the corner, by a table occupied in pating an evening meal, which the offi- «jous innkeeper, bustilng about the room, 32d put before me, sat my wearied self, more anxious than I would have confess- »d, waiting for the two friends, the fear Growing on me that dear old Acton would pever think to look in his pocket nor hWomprehend the message when he did. 3 had thought to Jeave it with Curtis, but, =0 opportunity offering, I was forced to take Acton as the means, and just be- fore going I had left the general's release for the two lieutenants at the colonel’s headquarters. 'Twas &n anxlous two hours, only brought to & close by the en- trance of John Acton in clvillan’s dress. 1 feared at first that the honest fellow would come up to me and blurt out the whole thing, but, as I afterward learned, Curtis had given him the best of lessons “On the contrary,” said Curt - ing could be more fortunate. & ROt T do not see it in that light,” ed I, testlly. W et without having talkeds . 0° Separsted “On the contrary, n, my fri €an now talk without fear of interrupion, while before we should holvf,%m h:.r.a put ;a it to nln‘g & way.” eavy volley came through the table and clipped a bit Act.gn'l oy offt the shoulder of “But we shall be killed, l'x’;,edillon will fail!” c]rleedd “Nay, pay,” said Act right of it.” We need %lo:'e terruption now. I sharply, “then they “1“ the light }éuunuy. noise &s if by magic. “Well, how shall we ufl’:?" muttered T, for it seemed the last —1 - oy ast straw—this un xnnd then our “Rob has the ot see.” Out Outside every “Hold thy tongue, man, and I'll show theée,” said Curtis. “‘Holt,” he continued, “and .you, sirs, come over this way now ndlord, you are attacked, I see. “Attacked! My God, 1'm ruined. dead man—"" % “That you will be if you do not act. “But what can I do?” “Have you guns?” “Aye, three.” “Very well; do you, your wife and this remaining soldier with the boy go up- stairs with two_of the guns and fire down hese men from above.” We can fire through the old loop- holes,” said his wife. “Good, so much the better. These two men and myself will take the ground fioor front and kill any one who tries to enter. The two gentlemen who have just eaten with us will guard the rear of the house." “But T— A crash now sounded in the hall. “The door! the door!” cried the landlord and_his wife in one voice. “You see, there is no time to lose,” said the cold, clear voice of Curtis. Indeed, the coolness of the man and the reason in all he said made us instinctively put our- selves under his command, and in a few moments the two strangers were in the kitchen watching the rear door, the tav- ern-keeper and his wife with the boy and the soldier were upstairs, and we three were barricading the weakened door by a device of Curtis’, which consisted of ‘a huge table wedged between the door and a projection of the chimney that went up on one side of the narrow hall. CHAPTER XIV. THE EPISODE OF HALL'S TAVERN “And now as to our instructions,” said Acton. WINES THAT: UNTIL Sz A MY CEIREaATES “We are to go to New York to accom- plish three things, which I may not tell you till'we be there.” very well,” said Acton, “we are to go New York; that is sufficlent. What Ve go separately and meet there. That is; ong goes alone and_ the other two to- gether. I have passes for one and for two traveling in company. Once there I can tell you in good earnest there is much to do. But here looms up the question as to where we shall meet there and be unob- served. “I have ‘been in the town,” sald Acton promptly. “Let us meet at the village of Greenwich and go into the town togeth- er.” “So far good,” said I, “but we must have some base to work from—some spot to meet in. Curtis,-what think you?” moment during this bit of discus- urtis had said not a word. Now, though I could not see his face for the darkness, I got an instinctive idea that something was wrong. In fact, after once seeing Acton pulled up when he tried to question his friend about something to do with an event of several years ago, I had made uyp mind to steer clear of any referen. so far as Rob Curtis was con- cerned, yond the limits of camp life. Before s clear to me that something was amiss. - The moment he answered the change in his voice was sc great, yet so quiet, that I started, as did Acton, almost persuaded that some other sat by us in the gloomny smoking hall. “Balfort,” said he slowly, “is it of grave importance that we should go into New o] T did not reply at once. I was too struck with the .change and all that such a change must mean in such a man. “You shall judge for yourself. I am commissioned,” and I leaned over close to the other two, “I am commissioned by General Washington himself alone. No other knows aught of the thing but you two. ’Tis not even to be written down. I am tg go to New York to do three things, OneAs more than a piece of daring; the otlfer two are of the gravest importance. I may save hundreds “And these you may not tell to us?” asked Curtis, still in that low voice. ‘‘No, friend, not till we are on the ground.” ‘'Tis better so,’ sald the same deep, sonorcus voice so unlike his. “We can be of no use to them as prisoners.” “These commissions are not for one man to carry out. I therefore asked for ¥you two and obtained your release.” “And you did well,” sald Curtis. ““Well, well, Rob, did I not say as much 7" cried Acton, impa~ “There stands no doubt or ques- tion; but where are we to meet?"* ‘““Whers in the town must we go?’ ask- ed Curtis, still pursuing his own course. “All over the town, but especially at No. 3 Broadway.” There were two shots overhead at this moment, ‘and it may have been for this reason that Curtis started so suddenly. He made no reply at once, but when he did he sald: “Impress this on your memory—No. 2 Brond“g" “No. 2 Broadway,” sald we together. *““Well, we are to meet there.” “You know the place?’ I asked. “Yep." “You know New York, then?” sald I, pald Curtls, ‘“‘a moment incautiously. “My friend,” ego you asked us to accompany you to New York to help you at the risk of our lives, and told us we were not to know the reason—" “And my dear friend,” sald I, “neither :clton nor I will ask why or how you can elp us.” “No. 2 Broadway, then, let it be. Now as to getting there—but I think some- thing 18 happening in the next room.” As Curtis lguke a shot had been fired from the kitchen, and now came another report from the outside, and with it a long, low cry from the house. Almost immediately some one yelled “Fire! fire!" and ran into the hall.” We stood an in stant, and then, happening to be near- eet, I ran through the taproom and thrust :g&n the kitchen door. A bright light ining in the room, I had started toward the fire when I was checked by the cry of a man immediately in front of me. An- other step, and I had fallen over him. “Here, John!” cried the wounded man, “I'm hit bad. John, I cannot see you. Take the papers and get out of here. They must be dellvered. Where are you?"’ cried the man , for the other had Tun into the next room in search of wa- ter for the fire. “‘The papers, John,” cried the dying man again “in the back—part— of my—shirt, Clinton must have them— to-morrow. Take 'em—sure—I—" He had :fled to sit up, but now fell over into my rms. * I took a belt knife and ripped up the back of the man’s coat, tearing off the greater part of the garment to make a wad for his head. 'Twas scarcely done when ‘the other came back to the room. now brightly lighted by the burning of the window sash, and he and Curtis and Acton ripped off the boards of the win- dow. A ‘shot or two came into the room, but each man looked to it {hat he was not in range. Then of a sudden the stranger turned toward his companion and caught my eye as I bent over him. ‘He is quite dead,” said I as the other approached; “shot through the head.” “Let me see,” said he quickly, and, pushing me aside, he began feeling of the man, going through each and every one of his bockets, muttering the while to him- self. ‘The fire, man!” I cried. “Let him be now; he is better off than we.” Then the tavem-keeier appeared, bringing water pails and the stranger tookjone. “Hold!” said Curtis, “stay here and we will return to the front of the house. "Tis two to one they take this opportunity to attack there.”” And so we started for the front again. There was a_short conference outsids and then the Skinners drew out of ear and gun shot. » “Now to finish our arrangements,” said Curtis coolly. “Aye. and In quick order, too, for the house is burning down,” and in truth I was in some concern, “Well, we meet as soon as possible at 2 Broadway,” said Acton, “Just so,” Teplied .. “Curtls, you know New York T do But what is No. 2? How are we toget asked Acton. sald L ‘True. that is imoortant.” oNE SHoULD BE DEAD, THAT MAN 5 — “What shall we say, Curtl He hesitated a moment. In the time we could hear the cmkllnf o flames mingled with the_cries of the in- nl\atels of the house. Finally he said slowly: i You will find an old woman there. 'An old woman,” we repeated. ell her you have come to meet Rob- 87" mean- t the er: ‘We are to meet Robert.” “And, my friends, if you have auy re- gard for me, question her not at allj but do as you say—walt for me.” Now came Madam Holt rushing in, ery- ing that the house was falling about our ears. Behind her was her crazed hus- Joshae \ " “Holt, you say you have money here, sald Curtis. “I? I, money? no, not a cent, as the good God knows!” screamed the frantic man. ‘Oh, my house! my house! I'm dead! I'm ruined!" cried the distracted man, clapping his hands to his head as he hur- ried away. “One word more,” sald Curtis. “That man who was killed in the other room is one of the two we suspect. Mayhap he carried dispatches.’” “He daid,” said I *Then we may and must get them,” sald “Balfort,” cried Acton, as the landlord came rushing again into the now lighte: room, ‘“‘ye are certainly a great man!” “And now,” continued Curtis, as Wwe moved goward the door, *“each man save himself; Acton with you, and I alone; and ‘we meet at No. 2. 'se went from the main room into the hall and found it thick with smoke. All were there, how- ever, huddled together, the tavern-keeper, his wife, the boy, the soldler, but the sur- viving messenger was gone. And then several discharges of musketry rang out in the night air. Tis the end of him and like to be of us soon,” sald the soldier grimly. “End of whom?" asked the trembling landlord. “That Yankee that was with the man that's dead in there. He bolted for.the ‘woods." “Maybe he is dead, and maybe not,” . coming attack. Nothing satd I. “Be that as it may, we are not dead yet. Master Holt, how far are the Wwoods from the rear of the house?” “Not a hundred yards,” said the wife, her husband being too paralyzed with fear to reply. “Set fire to the chairs in the front room to attract the Skinners there. Then to the woods and the village with all of us!” Another discharge of musketry sounded on the night air and we heard a cheer. The soldier jumped to the front door and gave a loud whistle by placing his finger to his mouth. There was a reply in an instant, and at the same time a rapld scattering fire :rang out along the road. Tis over, friends!” cried the soldier. Here be the troop come back in the nick of Itéme." “Now is our time, then,” sald I, quietly, to Acton, and as the others went to the front rooms, we bolted from the smoky l;,::)ltl,,dsthruuzh the burning kitchen, to the Curtis_ had remained behind. CHAPTER XV. A CASE OF ‘MISTAKEN IDENTITY. It was but an hour after sunrise, clear and warm—an Indian summer morning, if ever there was one—when we turned out of the North Castle road into the main highway of the Hudson, and, as I judged, not far from Tarrytown. The darkness, -the weariness of the long ride and the nervous strain of the night and the attack on the tavern had kept us both silent for a long time. Only now and “then- would Acton come out with some joke, or laugh at the tavern-keeper's Toney bag, or the terrified look that took them all when we got the news of the ever seemed— nay, nothing has ever, to my knowledge, seemed to make the least difference in this man’s peace of mind. The great healthy fellow knew not what melancholy or weariness meant. But I was weighed down with the work ahead of us, the memory—now always wrth me—of that one face, and the weariness of my sleep- less nights. At-this point in my reveries my hand went to my head, for on the Instant my hat blew off, and there rang out the ping of a rifle. “Ho, ho!” roared Acton. “Here he 1s! Here In the woods!"” and he turned his gorsa to ride up the bank into the under- Tu sh. top, you fool!” cried I. “Down! down in the saddle and ride!” “But I must find this—" *Ride, ride!” I cried again. “There’'s no time for delay now!” Another shot passed us without harm as I got my horse to a run, and Acton came after more slowly, sitting bolt up- right in his saddle, while he growled ou* his disgust at this cowardly retreat. Yet could we hear the clatter of hoofs be- hind. and turning I saw half a dozen men suddenly appearing on the road and com- ing after. ““Our horses are done up. They will overtake us in a mile,” I said, thinking aloud. “So! so!” jeered the man. “We will take two as they come on, ride two more down by force and that leaves but one apiece to finish the game. 'Tis too simple.” *'Tis no such thing,” cried I, nervously, as we sped along. We cannot risk de- lay. Spur on, lad; spur on!” for a shot sped over our heads, ‘They are in range now,” and I turned to take a look at them. And then I called out suddenly. “What is 1t?” he asked, turning, too, mn the saddle. “Look at the first man; look, John!" Damnation!” said he. “Curtis’ man!" “Aye, aye,” said I, “Captain Hazeltine, as I'm a sinner. The man is the devil himself!"” I thought for a moment my companion ‘would then and there pull up, but I, beg- ging him for the work we had to do to ride on, he did so; and, abruptly turning a bend in the road, wé saw ‘there, two hundred yards ahead, a platoon of red- couts presenting arms. We had reached the British outposts above Tarrytown. ONIY SURGLE “My, my!” seld ‘Acton, in his sarcastic raillery, ‘here is a sandwich that will be hard on the digestion!" But there came then into my head an idea, and we sped on directly into them, waving our hands backward as the six pursuers turned the bend. “Get them all!" I cried in a tone of command, as the sergeant in charge or- dered his men to prepare to fire, wil- dered though he was at our sudden ap- pearance. Yet, seelng two men rushing confldently into his arms, pursued by six others, he naturally enough, and as I had hoped, took the pursuers for the enemy. A sharp volley rang out as the six came on without checking, and the result was extraordinary. The leading horse leaped into the air, fell heavily forward, turning a complete somersault, and threw his rider head foremost into the road, where he lay still. One of the five fell heaviiy from his horsc and the others wheeled as if at drill and rushed back around thc bend, evidently having had enough of their view of the post. Turning to the sergeant I said: “I thank you for your timely ussist- ance. Those cowboys would have made short work of us.” ‘‘There be many of them hereabouts,” sald he, politely, though he still had & be- ‘wildered look in his face. ‘““We were coming down from the east- ward and found these men in ambush,” I continued, without giving him time to think overmuch, and—" ‘‘And the big chap let out at us. He's a spy of some kind, I know—"" the stupid ton began, but to cut his dangerous [k short I interrupted: ‘‘Doubtless you would know who we are,’” as some of the soldiers proceeded to pick up the two fallen men. “'Twill be necessary. WIill ye come to the lieutenant?” 5 In 2n old house by the road that had been taken for a guardhouse we found the lieutenant commanding. I began on him at once: ‘‘My name is Hazeltine, sir, and I am on my way to New York with dispatches for Sir Henry Clinton. My companion here is included in these passes,” and. I handed him Washington's priceless gift. He had but begun to glance over this when the door opened and Hazeltine himself en- tered. His face was a mass of blood and dirt, but beneath this you could see the P s 3 TFE IS FINGERS S0 TIQHTYT UPON MHIS QULLETYT HE cowLD features worki with well gh ungo ernable passim:‘ He threw off the ser- geant without an effort and strode directly up to the officer. “You are a new officer here, Other- wise you would know me.’ ‘Acton began to prepare himself for any- thing that might happen. I stood where 1 was, trying to appear only annoyed at this interruption. The officer, on his part, in- stead of replying, turned to his sergeant and blurted out: = “Why do ye admit this man here? sir. “Lord, sir, he came of his own, accord, _ sir,”” answered the man. “Well, have we not force enough here to put one man under guard? Take him away!” “i}!'eutenanl, you will regret any such action,” cried Hazeltine, angrily. “Why, you outlaw, do you expect to im- on me?” DO“Sxe lelln;’ou, sir, Sir Henry Clinton will not appreciate such summary measures, I come here to tell you my name is }:Iaz tine, and I say to yt‘iu ;‘;ebel“ov:'xse;:""‘ — aha, you will give attention now, g The) lieutenagxt started perceptibly twice during these hastily spoken words, once at the name of Hazeltine and once at the words ‘rebellious war.” 'Twas_ high time something was “sald, nd so k the cue: ‘“I knf)"v’oc".hls man, lieutenant, and you will do well to hold him. He is an Ameri- can spy in disguise. I nearly caught him a few days ago at Gowan's Tavern, Just ve here in the neutral country. ou lie, you dog! You lie! cried the other. “I know you now, too. You are the rebel I am after, and so is this ‘.e,“(”,v. here. You— What have you done w‘f.h‘ “Silence!” cried the lieutenant, ‘:and leave the questions to me! Now, sir; he continued, turning to me, ‘proceed. “I tell you that my name is Hazeltine, and that—"" 2N “He lies! he lies! That is my namel cried the man. I shrugged my shoulders as quletly as might be, and looked at the lieutenant. Acton began to laugh. He was beginning to comprehend. The leutenant was fast losing all comprehension. “Will ye be quiet!” roared he at the stranger. Receiving no answer he turned again to me. “Now, sir!” “T repeat, my name is Hazeltine, and if you will give me a few moments’ private conversation I will prove it. I may not ex- pose important matters here.” “You will answer here, sir, what ques- tions are put to you!” cried the leutes ant, fast losing his senses. “Now, then, he continued, sitting down to the table and beginning to write, ‘“your name?” “Paul Hazeltine.” A movement on the part of the blood- bespattered man drew a corresponding movement from the lieutenant, and I put my hand to my hip. Of a surety the sit- uation looked critical. Acton alone a peared calm and a smile gradually spread over his great face. There was the pros- pect of a fracas and therefore .of amuse- nsequently he was the coolest of the party “Your business here within the lines?” continued the lieutenant. “Special emissary of Sir Henry Clinton. “Here is my pass.” saia I, handing him Wasaington's slip. Then, as for an instant there was_silence. Again Hazeltine controlled his temper by a great efiort. Indeed, the man's mind was working fast, and I knew from what the commander in chief had told me that he had a brain of great power “Lieutenant,” i between teeth, “’tis as good as the loss of your commissions to_touch me. Will vou d it, or will you give me fifteen minutes?” The officer looked at him a moment with a deep frown on his face, and then turned about and cried: “Well, sergeant, do I give you orders twice?” It was quite enough. Hazeltine was down in an instant, struggle a2s he might, and bound hand and foot. He looked at me with as evil a color.in his red eye as one might call up in a’bad dream, but gald not a word: and then out came from SOFT&EY ™ his coat a package of papers. The leu- tenant looked them over. “Take him away to the ouse and bring me anything else you find,” he or- dered; and they carried the man out, still with his red eye on me till the door closed behind them. And thus I knew that until one of us should be dead that man Hazeltine was my enemy, king or no king, war-or no war, and 'tls not in me to deny that it was an ugly sword to hang over one by day and night. I do not mind a fair fight in the light of day, but God defend me from the vi- clous hatred of a fiend such as this man showed himself to be in that one look. The courtesy with which the officer of the post conferred with me about the papers, after I had shown him at his or- der what I carried, and the kindness with which he then sped us on our way with fresh horses, requesting me to take Han- zeltine’s dispatches with me, did not carry off the cold feeling that had settled somewhere in the pit of my stomach at the man’s look. However, we were in well guarded ter- ritory now, and g““d post after post on our ride into the city. At Greenwich we stopped a moment for the last* out- ost examination, and then rode on down y the water’s side through a muddy road over the creek and into the town, until we suddenly came upon a crowd of car- riages interspersed with a chariot or two groping through the fog and mud. Once we must needs wait a few moments till a line of vehicles could move on, and one of the chariots brought back to' my mind 2 certain wet country road and such an- otper vehicle tiited over to one side with the face of a young girl looking out of its windows at me. ‘“What the devil means this crowd?” 8 % “Crowd, man!” sald Acton; “why, do you not know you are in a city, my friend? And that just below here Clinton holds a court as high and mighty us George the Third at Windsor? Where, lhl% ye, are ve, lhcn;Nln camp?” 5 “Then we are near No. 2 Broadway?" I asked. 38 “Aye, here we are’”” he answered as ‘we came opposite the head of the line of carriages, which were discharging ladtes with silken gowns and powdered wigs at a covered bit of canvas that hung over the door of the great house. The place was lit from top to bottom, and T could hear fiddles jigging out a dance amidst the hum of a hundred volces, jocose greet- ings of men and yells of scrvants in liv ery crying out to one coachman to mov on'and to another to. move up. 'Twas a X 1 brilliant scene out there in r ‘lighte y street “Beyond a doubt he holds-court thist very night,” said Ac ve came opposite the entrance of carriages between us and Twas a jam, indeed, and be- the door. fore we knew it we were caught between two lines of cursing coachmen, one driv- ing up to the door, the other turning and moving ba A chariot drew up, and I had leaned down on my horse’s neck to look through the windows up the steps and Into_the. house, when the viclous hiss of a whip on the other side sent my beast, that was none of the best, by a side jump agalast e coach, bri ng®me up to the door thump that shook the who And then I had lked to ha the mud; for there, looking at me out of the window, in some whita and silken go with a whiter neck peeping out from under a furry cape, was a face I had had by me these ten days. She knew me on the instant, and start- ed forward ,with a cry of surprise, as it to speak. And then, on the impulse, powdered head went up with a movement I knew full well, and the stare that only a high-bred woman how to call up from some depth her met my eye. CHAPTER XVL b THE SPECIAL _MES- - ngErg'I;‘{ER OF SIR HENRY CLINTON IS FED. As T looked about me to gather a bit of the situation of the house, I could not forbear an exclamation; for, dark as it was, I could see but a sorry house for our abode. Acton was standing grumbling to him- self as was his wont. “This is no place for us,” sald he; shall be caught in a hole like rats. «The longer we stand here, the more Ukely,” I answered, and forthwith nnp‘e‘d upon the door with my sword-hilt. Na reply coming, we pushed in the door, and, It giving easily to our weight, we entered to find « long, narrow ball -:l stairs running stralght up toward ‘h'! next story. At the farther end & u{‘ fhowed beneath a door, and with & stey Ve were at it, finding on_opening &% old woman confronting us with won! and suspicion in her silent face. it “we “Who be ye, then?” asked she, after 8 nt. ¥ m'o‘;n,lizen, woman,” _sald I, quickly; loud. We coms here from o, 3 t so R T om Robert, you unders Robert—from e 1 saw her face g0 2dded. fand we are to walt here secretly for him’— o Him® cried she, under her breath. -y ;ill mot let him come here? Hi m‘!?i‘(l x:\olt now! 'TW(;uld bmsegl.! death ow came ye to let him come? H“;e come’s of his own accord, and H!l;: us on before,” said L. “Do not te:r.! im. He can watch over his own without aid. Bulhtnstfl‘at(}‘ glve us drink, if you have it al“Slzfie”lockcd at us doubtfully for & mo- fent, and then went into the back room which appeared to be in the house spared by few momen delfre?dt down beef an L Z:letr‘.ed the dispatchep found on ‘hendeaf man, and found thes to be a fuvnc count of the forces.at and fl}'ound X eW,‘ ort, detailing ~Rochambeau’s strengt and the number of militia troops fur fished him by Rhode Island, Connectic: and Massachusetts, though to my cer tain knowledge the number was under: M:tuex(ll\;wtng out & plan I had thought up 1 altered the figures by sératching thosy given and writing in between the 1‘n4?| more than three times the mumber abu‘,\) as had already been done in one or twy Sases. The dispatches of Hazeltine wery Jetters from Major Andre written in pris on, and a statement giving out thal Washington was about to make an at tack on Paulus Hook and Staten Island with some description of ,the plan of ab carefully -~ tack. Whether this were true or not, | could not tell, but I must take my chance. We were in the act of seall up the packets again, when there cam a thundering pounding on the outer doon “What is it> cried the woman. ‘Open in the name of the King!™ cried & voice from the outside. “Oho!” sald Acton under his mous tache. “They call upon soon, eh,’ and he drew his sword and stood looking at me. “Quick, woman,” I sald, “go to the doos and do you do the talking."\ “What shall I sav?"” “Ask who it is and what's wanted.” This she did, we standing by her clos to éhe door. “Open in the name of the King!"” eried the deep voice again, “or we vfin brea) dawn the door! cton and I stood back, silent In the darkness, with a stiff problem ad o us, for there was no mistaking the voles of Hazeltine, ““Well, will you open?* cried the volcs -.’ thlrdmnme. am:"! bade Acton, more by signs than anything else, stan bandle of the door. by S "Whe!}_ 1 open, catch him and briug him in," I whispered, “and put in al the strength in your big body. He nodded, and at my whispered in struction the woman said agatin: “What for? Why should I open?" “Because I have a warrant for the s Test of a man now in this house.” “There’s none here,” she answered, ané then, as I told her, cried out: “The doo: :;(xice You must push from the out There came a mufiled oath, and then s savage kick at the door, and I heard other voices. “Harder!” erled the old woman, whe seemed to grasp the idea, and as | felt a body press against the door, I let it swing suddenly open and a man wat driven into the hall and the door shui again before he realized that. he was down and one of the strongest men it the Colonies sitting on him with his fin gers so tight upon his gullet that he could only gurgle softly. We had hiw in_the other room bound and ga it 2 moment, but the pounding on the doo was enqugh to wake the town. (Continued Next Week.)