Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 94: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Saree v= oS > - — —— : = made. that Howe was expected to sail for Philadelphia; ‘but my only chance of confirming this lay with Berce. The next day, therefore, I made my way to the prisoris with Saleby, and succeeded in locating Berce; but I learned that Berce was being held as a bait to trap other spies attempting to communicate with him. Taking a desperate chance, I gave him the secret signal which he recognized, ‘and scrawled a ques- tion in the dust of the court-yard where the prison- ers were exercising— “Howe to Albany?”’ CHAPTER IV THE STORM BREAKS ALEBY Betler, Maugem and I | returned, to the King’s Arms and had something to eat. Berce’s tragic ending depressed me in- tensely, although I did my best to hide my mood. Saleby’s thoughts were on the Bloom- _ingdale engagement and I delighted him with a recital of the preparations old Socrates had Maugem and Betler accepted my invitation to join the party. Finishing our repast, a slight one on my part, Saleby and I started to call at headquarters. The two lieutenants returned to the riding- school to finish some routine duties and - promised to return:and meet us at the tavern, It was only a short walk to Number One Broadway, and there was much activity _about the place when we arrived. Order- lies were coming and going in much haste.— Staff officers hurried inside and emerged, wearing grave faces. Captain Saleby and I were passed by the sentinel and entered -a large square room looking on the street. There we found nearly a score of men waiting to see General Howe, or his repre- sentatives. ~ The number included a: few civilians, rich Tories coming to complain of being - mulcted. Saleby knew some of them by sight and gleefully told me they would not be permitted to offend Sir William’s ear with their stories. We found chairs near the door, for Saleby was confident he - would not be kept waiting once he asked an audience. An aide bustled in with pad and pencil and in a very methodical man- ner began disposing of the civilians. First he talked briefly, yet very earnestly, to a portly man with a heavy worried face. I heard him say: “Impossible to see you now. . Submit - = Adventure He read the question—erased it with his boot— then, suddenly breaking from his guards, rushed for the gate, though he must have known the attempt would mean his death. As he passed me, I flung myself at him as if to intercept him. Shots rang out. He exclaimed, so none but I could hear— “Philadelphia by fleet!”’ Then, flinging a missile at my head to save me~ from suspicion, the patriot fell dying in the dust at my feet while I stood swaying above him, the only living patriot with a knowledge of the tremendous message that must be borne to Washington. your statement in writing. The commissary | charges the beef was spoiled and worthless.”’ “But they issued it as rations,” cried the complainant. ‘Your written statement will be reached in its order.” Then much the same with the next, and so on until several of the callers were disposed of. Those in uni- form were handled with even more celerity, a word being sufficient to send an officer into the street, or up the stairs to the presence of the commander-in-chief. Finally he reached us and responded civilly to Captain Saleby’s greeting, but with no show of enthusiasm. On learning our errand—my presentation to Sir Wil- liam—he promptly shook his head yand said: “Impossible, Captain Saleby. We will be delighted to make Mr. Kerry’s further acquaintance and take up the matter of a commission, but not today. I will note down the name and when we have more leisure we'll notify him.” He bustled into the hall and up the stairs and left the room to fill up again with an- other grist. Saleby’s face was very pink over our brusk reception. “Impudent young beast!” he muttered in my ear. “He, with his ‘our’ this and ‘our’ that! You’d think he was carrying the whole responsibility of this campaign on his back! If Sir William knew I’d been treated in such disgusting fashion— By my life! There’s Captain Cogswell. Maybe the aide was right and something big is brew- ing. Good afternoon, Captain~Cogswell. Ah, he didn’t hear me. He’s from the lord admiral, Sir William’s brother-—— “See! he passes up-stairs without being announced. He’s expected. Sir William is ~ waiting for the word he brings from the admiral. Give you ten to one we’re bound for Philadelphia within two days and that | the lord admiral reports the fleet is ready to take us aboard!” “co Ehoo