orth tomorrow as a volunteer to offer my services to General
Washington."

"Oh, Hilary," exclaimed Philip, joyfully, "I am so glad. Would that
Katharine and father could hear you now!"

Seymour lifted his unwounded arm, and beckoned to Talbot. "God bless
you, Talbot," he said; "to hear you say that is worth a dozen cracks
like this, and I feel stronger every minute. If it were not for the
old wound, I would n't mind this thing a bit. But there is something
you must do. There is an armed cutter stationed up the river at
Alexandria; send some one to notify the commander of the Virginia naval
militia there. They will pursue and perhaps recapture the party. But
the word must be carried quickly; I fear it will be too late as it is."

"I will go, Hilary, if you think best."

"Very well, Philip; take your best horse and do not delay a moment.
Katharine's liberty, your father's life perhaps, depend upon your
promptness. Better see Mr. West as you go through the town,--your
father's agent, you know,--and ask him to call upon me to-morrow. Stop
at the Hall as you come back."

"All right, Hilary, I will be in Alexandria in four hours," said
Philip, running out.

"Bentley, I am going to take Lieutenant Seymour over to my plantation.
Will you stay here and look after the house until I can notify Colonel
Wilton's agent at Alexandria to come and take charge, or until we hear
from the colonel what is to be done? You can come over in the morning,
you know, and hear about our protege. I am afraid the slaves would
never stay here alone; they are so disorganized and terrorized now over
these unfortunate occurrences as to be almost useless."

"Ay, ay, sir; if Lieutenant Seymour can spare me, I will stay."

"Yes, Bentley, do; I shall be in good hands at Fairview Hall."

"This is arranged, then," said Talbot. "It is nine o'clock. I think
we would better start at once. I will go out and see that the
arrangements about the carriage are made properly, myself," he said,
stepping through the door.

Seymour's hand had closed tightly over something which had happened to
fall near where it lay. "Bentley," he called, "what is this in my
hand?"

"It is a handkerchief, Mr. John,--a woman's handkerchief too, sir, and
covered with blood."

"Has it any marks on it?" said Seymour, eagerly.

"Yes, sir; here are the letters K. W. embroidered in this corner."

"I thought so," he smiled triumphantly. "Will you put it inside my