The Washington times., 1902-06-01
Copyright. 1909. by Dodd. Mead 4 Co.


been riding since yesterday afternoon to
catch you. You were no, at FisbkilI-
| took the lower road for Hartford. and
missed you: I found my mistake, went
across to the upper road. missed Won
again. and-rode back. I have covered
hundred miles since yesterday. and
now-now I am too late, 1t is fate,
1t could not have been otherwise
Several exclamations had burst from
the third occupant Of the room as
spoke, and he muttered to himself at tbe
| end.
Mordieu. but that was brave ride,"
1t must have been. indeed, Lafay-
ette.' said Washington. Then turning
to me. he said
You are hungry and worn out. SER
geant. Sit down and eat
Il have not eaten in twenty-six
hours" answered. but I cannot wait.
must. will find that man and brina
him back
sudden CLEAN shot into the gen.
erals eye. Patience, young man. pa
.ience!" he said In voice that wouId
make man ashamed OF his own weak
ness. I'VE will find him. And he will
be punished. never fear. whether we and
him or not, and you shall have your
chance. But who are your" And he
looked at me with glance that seemed
to take in all my thoughts.
II am called Merton Balfort."
You are an American soldier, too?"
Yes. your excellency. am a lieu
tenant. serving under General Putnam"
You have come from him recently?"
asked Washington suddenly.
Yes. your excellency, I am here to
deliver these two letters to you from
him" and handed him the two notes.
You may sit down. lieutenant" said
the general. as he took the letters and
moved toward the window. But, what
ever the desire might be. I would not
sit In the presence of this man.
As he read the note from General Put
nam to myself. the chief glanced once
| or twice at me with a thoughtful look.
and then went OIL reading. Opening the
outer note. and discovering II to be in
| cipher. he took small book from his
pocket, and, with General knox's assist
ance. made out its meaning. As they
slowly discovered its iinport. the two
generals converscd.
strange. said the commander. "and
hochambeau knew nothing OF this be-
fore yesterday"
The letter is dated only e few days
ago. and it speaks of the affair as taking
place of Boston Z"
True. he cannot have been informed.
Lieutenant" asked Washington. do
you know what this note speaks off"
Not absolutely. your e1cellency. Only
in general way"
What is it?'
That General Putnam has advice,
from Boston saying that British war
ships are appearing singly uff the coast
here and there"
THAT Is correct
That they seem to be combining into
a feet
Also correct. but a mark signifies
here that you will add something"
The general wished me to say. your
excellency. that he felt sure that there
was a plan to retake Newport. or to
make some attack on Boston"
The note also says he advises having
the feet watched"
He thinks that an outpost should he
established beyond Cape Cod. both at
the north and toward the south"
That sounds reasonable and could bs
done. said General Knox thoughtfulIv.
Evidently" said the Commander-in-
Chiet 10 Lafayette. lit is a fleet sent out
oy George the iii to cope with Rocham-
beau"
Il do not understand VI. Rochanbeau
not having haa rd
He could not know. your ExceIlencv
| interrupted. since the news was
brought in by one of the Boston fisher
men. who had been chartered to watch
out beyond Cape Cod"
Gould such watch be kept up along
the COAST" asked Washington.
There is no doubt Of II. your Excel
lency," said l.
Lieutenant" said Washington. after
a moments thought. you will return to
Colonel Livingstone. and hold yourself
in readiness to set out
saluted. but hesitated. with a longing
to get in word.
You wish to say somethins?"
Il am an escaped prisoner of the
and he holds me as a spy.
was being sent on as such to General Ar
mold when I escaped
TO Arnold?" cried Lafayette with en-
thusiasm. "Ah. that is sublimel Sent
to Arnold! He escapes-he rides a hun
dred miles. and neither eats nor drinks,
All. that is glorious. young mani And
the Frenchman. whom I now knew for
General Lafayette. patted me gently on
the shoulder. Glorious. glorious, We
should have such men in France today"
Nay. General" said Washington, sad
ly: I'VE need them too much here" Then
he wrote n few words on a bit of paper
and handed It to me.
THAT will save you from any rough
| stood for n moment looking into the
careworn but kindly face.
What. There is still something ON
your mind?''
Yes. your Excellency.'s
Speak out. man. You have spoken
to such good purpose that can well af-
icrd to hear more
General Washington cried. Il de-
mand permission to recapture that trail
tor to the American cause.
There was moment OF Silence. The
three generals looked at one another.
and that same fierce CLEAN came into
the commanders eyes for another n
slant.
Lieutenant Balfort.'' said Washington
slowly and solemnly. with that same sa-
yacicus but kindly look. take what
focd and rest you need. Then return to
Colonel Livingstone's command. and hold
in readiness night and day &c
set cut on whatever mission the SUGGEST
of our cause or my will may command"
l saluted and turned away; for | had