Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/390

374 istered to the prisoner. In spite of Russell's protests and struggles the nauseous dose was swallowed, and in a brief time a small silver bullet was disgorged.

An examination speedily revealed that this oval bullet was opened by a tiny screw in the middle, and there within was found a small scrap of very thin paper on which was written: "Nous y voici, and nothing between us and Gates. I sincerely hope this little success of ours will facilitate your operations."

"When was this written?" demanded General Clinton of Russell.

"Yesterday." "Where?"

"At Fort Montgomery after we—our—after Sir Henry captured it."

"John Burgoyne will never see it."

Russell, however, made no response, and was led at once from the presence of the general.

The captors also departed, and Joseph found a place where he could leave Robert for a time, while he himself attended to certain duties that could not be delayed or neglected. It was an hour afterwards when he returned to his friend, and there was an expression on his face such as Robert had never before seen.

"What is it, Joe?" he said hastily.