“A spy, Your Excellency,” cried an orderly, excitedly saluting.
The soldiers drew apart as the orderly spoke and from their midst came John Drayton leading the very private soldier to whom Peggy had given Harriet’s note.
“Your Excellency,” said the ensign saluting, “I caught this fellow just as he was stealing from the lines. He had a most incriminating note upon his person. His actions for some time have been most suspicious, and——”
“Sir,” spoke General Washington gravely, “do you not see that there are ladies present? Let them pass, I beg of you. Such things are not of a nature for gentle ears to hear.”
As he spoke the eyes of the prisoner rested upon the maidens. He gave a short cry as he saw them, and sprang forward.
“If I did have a note, Your Excellency,” he cried, “there stands the girl who gave it to me.”
“There!” said the man pointing to Peggy. “That girl gave me the letter Tuesday afternoon.”
“Not for counsel are we met, But to secure our arms from treachery, O’erthrow and stifle base conspiracies, Involve in his own toils our false ally——”
For one long moment there was a silence so tense that the breathing of those present was plainly audible. Peggy had become very pale, but she met the searching glance which General Washington bent upon her steadily.
“Did you ever give him a note, letter, or communication of any kind?” he asked at length.
“Yes,” she answered. “I gave him a letter to send through the lines a few days since. It was Third Day afternoon, as he hath said.”
“You?” cried John Drayton springing toward her, and there was anguish and incredulity in his voice. “You? Oh, Peggy!”
“Yes,” she said again clearly. “Has thee the letter, John? Give it to the general. He will see that there was naught of harm intended.”
But Drayton shrank back and covered his face with his hands.
“Have you the missive, ensign?” demanded the commander gravely. “If so let me see it.”
“She, she doth not know—— It cannot be. Oh, sir, do not look at the letter, I beseech you,” uttered young Drayton brokenly.
“The letter, Drayton.” There was no mistaking the command in the tone. The boy drew the letter from his sword belt, and handed it to the general.
“There is some mistake,” he said, and Peggy was surprised to see that his eyes were wet. “Sir, I entreat——”