Burt Noble took the written message Phil had brought him, broke its seals, and his young face grew very grave and thoughtful as he perused its contents. He read it over again, tore it into tiny pieces, chewed these into a ball, and stamped the wet wad into an indistinguishable mass under his feet. Then he asked Phil. "How long will you be in Boston?" "Just long enough to get what answer you may have to send to that message," replied Phil, "and set my father at liberty." A queer expression came over Burt Noble's face. He seemed on the point of making some extraordinary statement. He, however, employed great control over himself in asking quietly; "Do you know where your father and his friends are imprisoned, Phil?" "They tell me in the old brick jail that the Tories have used for headquarters." "They were there until yesterday," said Burt. "Then they were removed. If you will mix in with the people on the streets to-day, you will find that the rumor is being generally spread by the redcoats that your father and his friends have been sent to England by order of the King." "Oh my poor father--" began Phil sorrowfully. "Hold on. Don't go mourning until I have time to tell you that it is all a Tory lie covered up by a Tory trick. They have removed the patriot prisoners, sure enough, but only to another part of the city. What their real plans are I do not know, except that they are going to send your father and his friends secretly to some other Tory nest, while the report of their being shipped to England is used as a whip to scare other patriots from leaving Boston and joining the continental army." "Burt," cried Phil in good deal of agitation, "do you know where my father is now?" "I do," nodded Burt. "Is it possible to rescue him?" "A good deal easier than from right under the noses of the Tories at headquarters. At just dark to-night meet me outside of Fanueil Hall. In the meantime go back home, and don't take any risks showing yourselves publicly. You can busy yourself sewing this packet of papers somewhere about your clothes, where it won't be found easily." Burt handed Phil a small square packet, heavily sealed. "Phil," he said seriously, "those papers are very important. It has cost a lot of time and risk to get them. They mean success for the patriots, if their contents can be quickly acted on. Knowing this, I am sure you will guard them closely." "With my life!" declared Phil fervently. "To-night it will be every man for himself," continued Burt. "You will keep close to me whatever happens. The papers--your camp. That must be your only thought after we have made the attempt to rescue your father." "Do you think we will succeed?" pressed Phil anxiously. "Yes," was the simple answer.