other than Morgan,
and I made sure that now was come the moment when we would have some
information concerning Saul.

"Yes, I have been working all night in the trenches as if my greatest
desire in life was to hold the Americans in check," he said as he sank
down on the floor like one on the verge of exhaustion, when he saw that
I was taking note of the stains of toil upon him.

"What about Saul?" I cried, forgetting that we had had no opportunity of
warning this friendly spy that our comrade had disappeared.

"Saul? Is he not with you?"

"He went out from this house yesterday morning, and has not returned.
Pierre and I were searching for him when we came across you. I then
might have made trouble for all of us, but for little Frenchie, who was
quick-witted enough to see that you feared lest we might speak to you."

"Your comrade has disappeared?" Morgan said musingly, and seemingly
forgetting his weariness of body he rose to his feet like one who
suddenly remembers that the time for action has come.

"We thought you might know somewhat concerning him," I added stupidly,
for by the surprise, and even the fear, exhibited by this man I might
have known beyond a peradventure that he was all ignorant of what had
occurred.

"Is there a possibility he might have gone home simply to please
himself?" Morgan asked after a brief pause, and I replied emphatically,
knowing full well that whatever might be the faults of my cousin, he
would not leave us in ignorance concerning his whereabouts if he had set
off solely for pleasure:

"It is positive he would not have gone away of his own accord without
having told us."

"Then it stands me in hand to find out what has become of the lad. If by
chance he has been taken under suspicion of being a spy, then is my
shrift like to be short, for within the past twelve hours it has become
well nigh impossible for any one to make his way through the lines."

"What has caused such sudden caution?" Pierre asked as he descended the
ladder, having been awakened most like by the sound of our voices.

"Word has been brought in that Lafayette's army is being reinforced by
men from the North. It was said last night that another fleet has
appeared off the Capes; that there is like to be fighting both on the
sea and on the land, and General Cornwallis has come to understand
better than ever before the necessity of keeping his situation a secret.
In other words he has locked the stable door af