My Lady of Doubt | Page 2

once more."
"I had not yet fallen asleep," I explained, "but we are all eager enough for action of any description."
He smiled cheerily.
"You will soon be busy, never fear." He closed the door behind us, and, with a glance, I viewed the room and its occupants. It was a small, low ceilinged apartment, containing a table, a dozen chairs, and a high commode. A few coals glowed in the wide fireplace, and the walls were dingy with smoke. Three candles, already burning low, gave fitful illumination, revealing four occupants, all known to me. At an open door to the right stood a sweet-faced woman, glancing back curiously at my entrance, and I whipped off my hat bowing low. Once before I had seen her, Mistress Washington, and welcomed the gracious recognition in her eyes. Colonel Gibbs stood before the fireplace motionless, but my glance swept past him to the calm, uplifted face above the pile of papers littering the table. He was not looking at me, but his eyes were turned toward his wife.
"It is not necessary for you to retire," he said quietly. "We shall not detain this gentleman except for a few moments."
"It is not because of the Major's coming I withdraw," she replied pleasantly, "but the hour is late, and I am very tired. Good-night, all."
Washington's eyes were upon the door until it closed; then he turned slightly, facing me. Before he spoke again, Hamilton broke in:
"This is the officer, sir, recommended by General Maxwell--Major Lawrence of the Maryland Line."
I bowed silently, and the commander rose to his feet, extending his hand.
"No doubt we have met before," he said slowly. "You have been with us for some time?"
"My first action was at Harlem, sir."
"You could not have been at Valley Forge during the past winter, however?"
"I was with the Marquis de la Fayette at Albany."
"Ah, yes," his face clouding at the recollection. "A young officer, Hamilton, but capable, no doubt. You have used him before, you said?"
"Yes, at Long Island, and he entered New York once at my request."
Washington's gray eyes were still on my face.
"Lawrence is a Massachusetts name."
"Not exclusively," I returned, "as our branch are Virginians."
The stern lines about the mouth relaxed into a smile.
"Indeed; from the Eastern shore then. I recall now having once met a Judge John Lawrence, whose wife was a Lee."
"My father, sir."
His hand rested firm on my shoulder, as his glance turned to Hamilton.
"I require no further commendation, Colonel. You will find the papers in the second drawer. Please explain all the details carefully to Major Lawrence."
He bowed toward me, and sank back once more into his chair, one hand shading the eyes that still regarded us. Hamilton opened the drawer designated, extracted an official document, and addressed me rapidly in lowered voice.
"This is a simple duty, Major, but may prove a dangerous one. You have been selected because of previous successful efforts of a similar nature, but the Commander-in-chief does not order your going; we seek a volunteer."
"Without asking the nature of the service," I answered sincerely, "I rejoice at the privilege."
"I knew that, Lawrence," heartily. "That answer accords with your well earned reputation throughout the army. I will explain briefly the situation. Early this evening our pickets--or rather some partisan scouts near Newtown--captured a British officer, in field uniform, on his way from New York to Sir William Howe in Philadelphia. The prisoner was brought here, and on examination proved to be Lieutenant Edgar Fortesque of the 42nd Regiment of Foot. These troops came over with the last detachment, and arrived in New York less than a month ago. On searching Fortesque's clothing we found this despatch," holding out the sealed paper, "which we opened. It is not of any great military importance, being merely an order for Howe to proceed at once to New York, taking with him certain officers of his staff, and placing a naval vessel at his disposal."
He paused, turning the paper over in his hands.
"However," he went on slowly, "it affords us the opportunity we have long been seeking of getting a competent military observer into Philadelphia. Now that Sir Henry Clinton is in command of the British forces directly opposing us, it is necessary that we know accurately their number, state of discipline, guns, and any point of weakness in the defences of the city. We require also information regarding the division of troops under Sir Henry's command--the proportion of British, Hessians, and Tories, together with some inkling as to Clinton's immediate plans. There is a rumor abroad that Philadelphia is to be evacuated, and that the British forces contemplate a retreat overland to New York. Civilian fugitives drift into our camp constantly, bearing all manner of wild reports, but these accounts are so varied as to be practically valueless. We must possess