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 peer through the baffling curtain of rain. For a moment tense listening held everyone motionless. Even Charity held her breath as she half started up from her settle.

General Washington turned toward the door, and at that instant it was unceremoniously thrown open. A dripping, streaming figure was revealed upon the threshold. Mistress Condit, who had slipped forward, uttered an astonished cry as the newcomer threw back the wet hood which concealed her face.

"Why, Miranda, what doth bring you out this dreadful day?"

Miranda Briggs swayed forward where she stood. "I've—be—been running all the way!" she gasped. And indeed, she looked spent. "Somehow the—Tories have discovered His—Excellency's presence here. They gathered at my father's house—I overheard them—one o' them"

She put her hands to her forehead and the others were horrified to see a great black bruise there.

"One of them struck me! They locked me up; but—I escaped—oh, hurry, Your Excellency! They come—the Tories come"

Then, as one of the young officers sprang forward, poor Miranda fell forward into his arms, unconscious.