"John Drayton," she cried eagerly, "I do believe that you have hit upon the very thing. How strange that no one else thought of it! General Washington might postpone the carrying out of this dreadful measure. And Sir Guy! Why, if the rebel general will only wait until I can see my own commander all will be well. He is indebted to me for service in behalf of the new campaign, and will be glad to requite it. I shall go to General Washington. Thank you, Captain Drayton, for the suggestion. I'll never forget that 'twas you who offered it. I haven't always been very nice to you, but if----" "I am your debtor, Miss Harriet, for what you did for me last year at Yorktown," interrupted Drayton quietly. "Mind! it may come to naught, but 'tis the only thing that can be done." "And I shall do it," she said with determination. "I shall start for Philadelphia when they leave with my brother." "To add to what Captain Drayton hath suggested," spoke Major Dale, "carry the matter to Congress while you are in Philadelphia. If you can get the execution postponed, and have influence with Sir Guy Carleton, get him to turn Lippencott over to us. He is the man who should be punished." "He shall do it," she cried. "Captain Lippencott is but a refugee, and Clifford is an English officer. An officer who hath given good and honorable service to his king. 'Tis not meet nor fitting that such an one should be punished for the crime of a refugee. Sir Guy shall be made to see it properly. He shall! He shall!" "But now thee must go to bed," exclaimed Mrs. Owen alarmed by the girl's excitement. "Thee can talk again with the lads, but now to bed." Despite her protests the good lady hurried her off to bed, nor would she consent that Harriet should leave it until the next morning. By that time the maiden had entirely regained her composure, and was eager to go to Clifford with the news of her intention to go to Philadelphia. Accordingly, as soon as it was permissible to see her brother, she set forth with Peggy for the guard-house at the barracks where he was confined. There were two troopers in the room with him whose duty it was to keep an unfailing watch upon him. Clifford was slightly pale, but seemed to have himself well in hand. He dissented strongly from Harriet's proposal to see the Congress and General Washington. "'Twill be useless," he said. "The Congress seek reprisal. If I am not the victim 'twill be another. There is no reason why I should seek to evade that which must be the fate of some English officer." "Clifford, don't you care?" she wailed. "Yes; I do, Harriet," he answered gravely. "I care very much. I don't want to die at all, particularly by hanging. I don't suppose that Fairfax Johnson did either, but his wishes weren't consulted in the matter. And they will remember that fact. It hath been said that he met death with great firmness and composure. I want to do as well."