"'Twas a complete rout," declared Mr. Owen, his usual composure somewhat ruffled. "Here I was down-stairs beset with anxiety lest untoward sentences be passed upon the girls when down from the Council chamber they came, escorted by Mr. Jacob Deering and President Moore himself. Sally addressed the honorable body with so much unction, I hear, that thy uncle, Robert, at once declared for them. In fact, his championship took the form of a direct challenge, which caused so much merriment that the Council was unable to proceed with the business before it, and an adjournment was taken until this afternoon." "But what happened? What did you say? Do tell us, Sally," urged Robert Dale. "I acknowledge that I am consumed with curiosity. I am sure the others are affected in like manner. We were just sitting here while you were gone trying to cheer each other by hoping that the sentence would be fines rather than imprisonment. And here you come back with neither, it seems, and colors flying. Do tell us what happened." "Well," laughed Sally, who was plainly elated over the matter, "I was greatly frightened until we entered the Council chamber; but do ye know," she broke off excitedly, "just as soon as I saw those men I knew that there was not one of them who would have refused Clifford shelter that stormy day? So I told them so. That's all." A shout of laughter greeted this explanation. When it subsided Peggy spoke. "Thee didn't tell them about Brutus, Sally," she chided. "'Twas that that first excited thy ire." With that she related in detail all that had taken place. "Hurrah for Sally! And hurrah for Uncle Jacob too," cried Robert. "'Twas wonderful, as Peggy says. How did you happen to think of it, Sally?" "'Twas high time that I did something to redeem myself," answered Sally. "After all," she continued a trifle wearily, for in spite of the petting and being made much of even her buoyant nature was beginning to feel the strain of events, "after all, I should not have been obliged to do it. Peggy and I are in our own city. It hath been a long war, and from the first we have shown our patriotism by doing what we could. Whenever anything of this sort occurs it should not be necessary to do aught but explain how the matter came about without fear of punishment." "War breeds suspicion, my child," explained Mr. Owen gravely. "The purest patriots are open to it; for sometimes treason lurks where 'tis least suspected. Were it not that a close watch is kept we should have been betrayed to our undoing long since by traitors and spies. For greater security, therefore, Whigs submit to an espionage that at times is most irksome and unpleasant." "I see," said Sally. "I see. I---- Oh, I'm so tired!" And with that--here was Sally on the floor in a dead faint. With an exclamation of alarm Peggy bent over her. "All this hath been too much for her," she cried. "And 'tis my fault. Oh! I should not have let her help with Clifford."