The Boy Spies of Philadelphia

making an appointment with them as hardly to be conscio

ying he had an inkling of his lordship's intentions,

d Jacob more energetically than politely on the shoulder, and intimated that if he did not wish to be served with anythi

because of having been introduced by one of the landlord's best patrons,

ited us to enter with him, and we sh

logy, and made no further attempt to drive the boys from the coffee-

is no place for us, and, besides, we cannot be as private her

nd now we have stayed so long that it cannot be said we ra

so we can

our h

serious work before us this night, and I woul

hy

ct in putting a meaning on his lordship's words, it is better that no one save ourselves knows wh

on the news of the day, and the major of the Forty-second Highlanders, who was well known to both Jacob and Enoch becaus

forces for a long while, and it is not difficult now to understand how information of our movements reached the rebel officers. Among ourselves at the boar

t-martialed?" the maj

and probably hanged on

no doubt as t

ainst him that I see no loophole of escape. All I regret is that he h

ervously by the coat-sleeve. "It is fortunate for poor Seth

is not true," Master Ludwick replied stoutly; but at the same time ob

ou remember Lord Gordon told us he was probably the only person in the Britis

man, even though h

hen I can do him as great a serv

forget a quarrel of nations to aid a widow and the fatherless. He little dreamed that before many weeks had passed he

where the Indians who came into town on business were accustomed to take shelter, and there they halted for a consultation,

Seth through General Howe," En

shall help him brea

ill be in danger of being hanged, in

set upon his head by General Howe, providing he is with the American army, than if he rema

succeeded in effecting his release we should not remove

d Gordon had thought it best to give us more of an idea

new positively that he intends

would be better able to perform the

be necessary for us

ll trust to it that his lordship finds a way to send word to our people without making any trouble for himself. And in case we go we shall be no worse off than a great many others in this country. Remember Judge McKean, who last year

are, if by so doing I can be of service to the cause; but it isn't possible we co

we get Seth out of the Britishers' clutches we won't trouble our heads. It seems to me the most important ques

We will then go out near the Carpenter mansion, where we can remain hidden in the grove until night. Suc

for the night's work. Now, where think you will Seth easiest find the Ameri

e will most probably know in which direction it would be safest for Se

re. I will be bac

was, she complied with her son's request, asking not so much as a single question, and scanty though her store

in a cloth, she placed it in a

Tell Enoch that his mother's prayers will follow him until he comes back to

There's a certain Britisher in this city who's got a heart under his red coat, and if

less all of you, and prospe

y the aid of one corner of the bag he succeeded so far in effacing the telltale sign of weakness that no one would have suspected

ally the moment came when, in order to keep the appointment, they must leave their retreat in the grove, and it was wi

town-house where stood the pillo

, and as they stood behind the instrument of torture whereon Grimshaw had passed so many painful ho

and yet no sign of life

d; he cannot come," En

the kind of a man who would back out after promising, and he

rs should see us, we wo

ats would be obliged to hunt around a good while before finding us. I don't think it is safe to

th loudly beating hearts they waited until the figure was nearly opposite, when

ne else would ma

s comrade, he stepped out in view, and the n

on, and he said,

this is the first time he has ever carried information to the Americans, I should not attempt to aid you. That which I am doing may seem dishonorable to those who do not know all the facts in the case. My own conscience approves, however, and I shall do what, as an officer in the British army, I ought not to do, in order to save from a disgra

e from us," Jacob said when Lord

should escape later. I have here an old pass, signed by the general to visit the prison, issued in blank so that it may be used by any one. I have filled in your names. You will present it boldly at the door. There will be no question raised. You will be conducted to the prisoner's cell, and there you are to remain until a soldier opens the door, and repeats these three words: 'It is time!' Then walk out unconcernedly, all of you. If the plan which I have arranged is successful, you will see no one save the man who gives the signal. It can only fail thr

ed for allowing Seth t

oncerns you is to get yourself and your co

o in case we succ

for Seth to push on toward the headquarters of the Americ

visited Seth, because you sa

s you are discovered, and then the soldier on duty will

Jacob asked, detaining Lord Gor

ile you remain here. Now my portion of the work is done; it remains for you to execute the plan; and I hope most sincerely you will succeed. No, we won't have any thanks, or formalities of that kind, my lad," the officer added when Enoch took him by the hand as if he would have kissed it. "I have done only t

he ceased speaking, and during fully a moment the tw

h is on his way the more chances he will have of reaching our forces. If it is to be a fai

ed; "but I am terrib

t I am beginning to believe that you are braver when y

but do not think I could cond

hat unless we succeed Seth will be hanged, and I a

ade was confined, and there Jacob knocked vigorously on the iron door,

er Ludwick held out Enoch fancied a peculiar expression came over his f

d without waiting for an invita

rridor, unlocked a heavily barred door cautiously, as if it was his

cell that the visitors could

hispered. "Wher

rkness; a clanking of chains was heard, and

! Jacob! I

in a whisper. "You had best not talk loud, for there is no reaso

did you

f it, Seth. At least no

What do

here is a chance you may escape, and it is necessar

on't und

s night free, and keep your mind steadily on the fact that if we s

ered. "That is something we never thought of, and it will be

nd after looking over these irons as if to make sure they were fastened, left the key in

our friend for having thought of it. Let me

difficulty in removing the fetters, and he w

e under y

hy

fetters disappear as if Seth wore them out of the prison. We

r was opened softly, and the

is t

Don't speak to any one, nor show signs of fear. This is the moment when we shall

keep close

hardly daring to breathe, stepped out into the corri

he outer door, and he stood, musket in ha

the signal, otherwise he would have made some gesture for their guidance, and as the

acob was so near that he could touch hi

almost fearing to turn lest he sho

osed, the creaking of the heavy bolt as it was shot into its socket telling