Putnam patriot., 1925-04-03

were to grace with their presence, and within week or two had become an integral part of the social system. l Burr. the sleek, graceful. irresisti- ble squire of ladies, watched the growing popularity of his one-time charge with mingled emotions. There was no one she fiouted as heartlessly as she did him. There was no one so she told him at times and probably truly-for whom she cared so deeply Day by day, his interest in her kindled. Neither of them was over troubled by scruples.
 Only few days after her welcome as "poor little motherless thing" in- to the Putnam household, she had her first opportunity to reward hospitality | by treachcry. She was seated by her beaming brevet grandpa" in his off, ce, asking ostensibly guileless ques- tions and receiving completely guile less replies when Burr tramped in, n frown on his handsome face. He ssluted his commander and glanced from him to the girl. Putnam caught the significance of his signal and pom pously bade Margaret run along for little while for he and Major Burr had important matters to discuss.
 Esves Dropping In Closet
 She curtsied to the general. smiled upon his aide and left. She had all ready discovered that from closet in the hall, she could hear all that was said in the office where Putnam administered the affairs of the city. Into this she erept and laid her head against the wall.
 The nasal Yankee drawl of Putnam and the softer voice of Burr were mingled in violent discussion. The aide was railing to his superior con corning the activities of British spies within the lines. The patriots intel. ligence service was as slipshod and lax us the other departments of the army, but spies through long im- munity had become too bold to escape even it's notice. Suspicion had cen- tered upon Corbie's tavern, near Washington's headquarters. Men known to be Tory in their sympathies gathered there every night. It was thought that information sent to the Duchess of Gordon" passed through the tavern on it's way thither.
 As a matter of fact, COrbie's was the chief rallying point of Tryon's tools. A secret staircase ran down behind the chimney to tunnel lead ing to the rivers edge. On nights when signals had been set to show the coast was clear, boat from the man-of-war would slip in through the darkness. oars mufhed, to the bank and Captain Tanning, aide of Gov i.sgt s.f tunnel and staircase which still exist to an inner room of the hostelry, there to pay in golden guineas for infor- nation gathered by the spies and to discuss with them plans for the cap ture of Washington as soon as pos sible after his return from Philadel- phia.
 None of these details were know to Burr, but his suspicious had been aroused and he voiced them yigor- ously.
 As usual, Putnam turned to him for guidance.
 What had we better dol" he queried.
 The girl scarcely breathed as her lover unfoided his plan.
 Suggested Spying It would be senseless to raid the place, unless they had actual evidence against the men, Burr argued. There fore, he proposed that soldier dis guised in civilian clothes be sent there the next night but one, with instructions to appear drunk when entering and pretend thereafter to drink himself into stupor. While shamming sleep, he was to watch the patrons of the inn and signal at the proper moment te platoon of sol diers who were to be hidden outside Burr knew q clever, trustworthy man I for the work-private Seth Adams oi MacDougafs regiment. I A half hour later, General Putnam sought his temporary ward and found her strolling unconcernedly along ths sea wall whistling Charlie is ms darling"
 He pinched her cheek. He did moi notice that she appeared worried noi that she clasped something tightly 1T her right hand
 Mrs. Putnam vows 'tis unladyliks to whistle" he said with ponderou. humor. "There is 10 be a ball tonight 1 at the residence of Colonel Shea
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