The girls soon finished their meal, and warmly thanking the old cook, with whom they were prime favorites, they left the kitchen to find the company streaming back into the parlors again, although many of the officers were still at the table, especially the older and portlier ones.
By the kitchen door Charity suddenly clutched her sister's arm and shrank back.
"What will you do an that terrible man, Hawtree, sees you?"
"I am not afraid," said Mehitable sturdily. "I will not be so trapped again. Charity, rest assured of that. And you see to it you are not!"
But the man Hawtree had not yet come from the dining room, and before the two girls could move from their position at the rear of the broad hall, facing the front door, it was flung wide open.
"What" began Hitty. Then she stopped amazement. For a file of American soldiers were advancing into the house and at their head was Von Garten, shorn of his yellow wig and clad in the buff and blue of the American Army.
The gay company stood as though paralyzed. Not a man moved to oppose the entry of the Americans.
"Gentlemen," said Von Garten in a cold, metallic voice and his eyes were like steel. "Gentlemen, you are our prisoners!"
The Hessians acted as though they were stunned, as though this were some terrible nightmare from which presently they must awaken to find everything as serenely safe and secure as before, when they had had
