Phil started on a keen run in the direction of Concord. He was figuring out how the enemy could make a detour and accomplish a good deal by getting right upon the boundary of the town without being discovered. "One good piece of information, that," he soliloquized. "And about the dog they buried? What made old Bram so wrathy when his son, Greg, alluded to that? He meant something, I feel sure. He meant something of interest to my father and Burt Noble, I believe. That dog business hides some mystery. I'll make a mental note of it, and I'll think it over and act on it when we have given the British a double dose of what we gave them at Lexington." Phil halted. Way to the north he caught a sudden alarming sound. It was vague, distant--the echo of a volley of musketry. His worst fears were confirmed. The British soldiers had made the detour of the town. He dashed on with renewed speed. Would he be too late to save Concord? CHAPTER XXV THE BATTLE OF CONCORD Phil Warrington dashed into the barn belonging to Andy Sabine's father, breathless. Andy and his company had just filed down the stairs from the loft. Their leader ran up to the scurrying figure of the new arrival with expectancy in his face. "What is it, Phil?" he cried. "The Brams have been giving information to the British, and the redcoats have rounded the town. They are planning to attack us from the north. I heard some firing in that direction." "Out of this!" ordered the impulsive Andy quickly. "Scatter the news! Tell everybody! I'll get to my father and the committee. Then all hands meet at the square." There was a tremendous bustle. Phil was borne along in the wake of the dispersing company. He made sure first, though, to secure his musket. As he ran down the street, in every direction he could hear the ringing voices of his young friends, scattering far and wide the news he had just brought into Concord. He helped with voice and feet, too, as his share in the action of the moment. When he reached the square Phil found it the center of a great commotion. He espied Andy's father moving rapidly from group to group of the volunteers, and managed to get to his side. Phil hurriedly explained what he had heard Jasper Bram tell his son, Greg, about the plans of the redcoats. He referred as well to the firing he had heard north of the town. Mr. Sabine looked very much interested, but was excited and worried. "All our forces and points of advantage are bulked at this end of the town," he said. "We never counted on the British coming from any other direction. It will have to be a scattered fight. You lads keep out of trouble. Do your duty, but don't take any reckless risks." A short time later Andy and Phil, with the patriotic boys of Concord, marched out of town and across the bridge to the hill occupied by the Minute Men and the other patriots that were assembling. Everything was in a state of excitement.