Page:Milady at Arms (1937).pdf/104

 ily, and brought to New York Town, sir, on the charge"

General Howe held up his hand, and Cunningham subsided into silence. Howe turned to the group of visitors standing in the corner, who were looking on with curious eyes. "Ye wished to visit the New Gaol and the Bridewell," said Howe smilingly to them. "Observe how they exist and how we conduct our business. Bring the girl before me!" He turned commandingly to Stockton.

Stockton, saluting, hesitated only for the fraction of a second, and then, moving forward, he placed his hand upon Sally's arm. Shuddering a little, she turned slowly around and fixed her vacant gaze upon him. "General Howe would speak wi' ye!" he told her politely; then he added beneath his breath: "Beware!"

Sally, however, looked at him uncomprehendingly as, obedient to his touch, she returned to her place before the table. There, slender and drooping, she stood with her hopeless eyes fixed upon the floor. Stockton saluted again and moved over to stand beside Cunningham, who was gazing on the proceedings with a cynical smile. The others present, silent and interested, watched.

"What are the charges lodged against the prisoner?" asked Howe. He interrupted himself by motioning to one of the ladies, a beautiful woman in the laces and satins of a belle, to come forward