Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-08

before him. keeping watch upon him
/ the while. On passing through a
/ thicket that lined the road on either
side the prisoner-for he was nothing
else-being for a moment screened
| from Stewart. threw the letter into
some bushes. The captain caught
sight of Il just before it fell and. rid
ing to it, dismounted. found it and
put it in his pocket
All doubt that something was wrong
had now vanished. Coming to some
vedettes. Stewart called to them to
take charge of the prisoner and bring
him to Washington's headquarters,
while he rode on. In a short while he
was In the generals private Office
There. general" he said, throwing
down the letter. 'I fear 1t contains
something of moment destined for our
enemies"
Washington looked at the tiny mis-
sfve, read the address-"To Mistress
Sarah Scudder. on the Bowling Green.
City of New York"-written in a wo-
mans hand, and all the instincts of
gentleman rose up within him against
opening 1t. But after an account of
what had occurred after Stewart over
took its bearer he broke the seal with
out further ado. The letter contained
a summary Of the disposition being
made for the coming Yorktown cam
paign and Information that such cam
paign was soon to be inaugurated.
Composed as was the commanders
nature, slight tinge Of pallor came
over his face. 1t was some time be-
fore he spoke.
Captain" he said presently. bring
Janice Arbucklesto me-"
Stewart went out and Janice return
ed with him just as the bearer Of the
letter was marched into the generals
Office.
Mistress Arbuckle," said the gen
eral. "from whom did you get the in
formation contained in this letter."
"I decline to tell your excellency."
"Who is this man?" pointing to the
prisoner.
81 decline to tell your excellency."
81 will tell who am" said the man.
'Tt shall not be said that 1 screened
myself behind woman's skirts. 1 am
Lieutenant Birkenhead. of his majes-
tvs til foot, and am alone responsible
for this attempt"
''He is not responsible for it," said
Janice calmly. HE did not know
what the letter contained. wrote the
general commanding to send some
trusted person here since 1 desired to
return letter to New York and there
was no conveyance"
Enough said the general In chief.
"The lady's word saves you. sir, from
the halter"
The case of Major Andre was doubt
less fresh in Washington's mind, and
he was not disposed to enter upon an
other such case.
Mistress Arbuckle," continued the
general, II must ask your father to
give his word that you will keep your
room till l give you permission to
leave it. You. SIR" to the prisoner
will be confined under careful watch
In a military prison until the indie
pendence of the colonies is acknowl-
edged by your sovereign. Captain
Stewart, Will you see that what ! have
ordered is carried out?"
Captain Stewart took the two to his
office, where he handed Janice Ar
DuChlG d anu DdOG hCE " ait LIS
return. Then he dispatched the pris-
oner to the guardhouse, from which he
was next day removed to more perma-
nent quarters. Returning to Janice. he
stood for a moment looking at her fix
eddy.
Janice" be said presently. 'tell me
one thing-how did you become &C
quainted with this information you
endeavored to impart to-
1.-THE officers of our lawful king"
she interrupted. 81 will tell you.
was in this house not long ago sitting
in a room separated from another by
a thin door. / overheard the general
debating a dispatch covering the
whole matter"
Stewart was silent for a moment
He was very much moved and was
breathing heavily.
Lam surprised" he said at last.
that you should have told me az
81 told you nothing, except that the
bearer OF my letter did not know fits
contents. He did not"
eff you should give your word not to
attempt further TO communicate this
matter to our enemies. would you con-
slider it your duty to break it for your
king"
Yes, would"
"Then 1 shall take the responsibility
of combining you under guard" he
said, land without the generals order.
He has enough to attend to without
attempting to muzzie a woman
The next day Washington set out
for Virginia. Stewart went with him,
but before departing he directed that
Janice Arbuckle be confined in her
room at her father's house, with
guard at the door and under the win,
dow. The situation-for her remained
unchanged till the surrender of Corn
wallis, when Captain Stewart return
ed to Dobbs Ferry and himself set her
free.
As che Stapnod ont of tar rrieo,