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 at the bottom of a brief paragraph, he uttered an exclamation.

"Zounds—why, it's Lord Howe's own name here!"

Mistress Nancy said nothing, merely waited disdainfully.

"What be it?" Gathering courage Squire Briggs shuffled to his feet and crowded past the other men to Hawtree's side. Hawtree, immersed in the paper, answered him involuntarily by reading aloud.

"This gives Mistress Nancy Livingston authority to ask any courtesy of any Loyalist which, by order of Lord Howe, shall be granted her."

He looked up and, like the bully he was, cringed before the girl's challenging gaze.

"I cry your pardon, mistress!" He took off his hat, awkwardly enough. Tis most unfortunate this should have occurred. I hope—I hope—'twill not be carried to his lordship's ears, though," and here he lifted defiant eyes, "it seemed necessary to bind the girl in the course o' duty!"

"Making war upon women seems to be your duty, in sooth!" retorted Mistress Nancy grimly. "Unloose the girl and see that ye confine your operations to more proper ones, as befits a British officer!"

Two of the men were untying Miranda, but at that moment a sentry, posted at the door, spoke hurriedly.

"Horsemen come!" he cried. "Away!"

They were none too soon. The Tories, save Squire Briggs, had scarcely quitted the house when the door was thrown open and keen-faced man dressed