"Mine?"
"Yes; all the king's men! You will get to Washington before another day is passed. But—you must let me help you."
Andy set the cup of milk down and stared at the earnest face.
"I'm very dull," he said. "I only know that I must go. I do not see, now, that you can help."
"You must not think of going abroad as Andy McNeal," the girl explained. "They are watching for you. Janie says that more than one Britisher has been to her door."
"Do you know—" Andy began.
"Yes," nodded Ruth, "but he is well hidden. It is you they are after. Then, too, I know what the British expect to do. Hans Brickman found out and he is almost frightened to death with his secret. He thinks the British will see his secret written all over him, and he is afraid to go into camp—the patriot camp, you know. He has honey and butter to sell, and he sells to friend or foe. I've told him I will go with him to-night."
"What secret?" asked Andy, keen to the main point.
"The British war-ships are going up the river!" Ruth was whispering in Andy's ear, not daring to trust her voice even in the little room. "Father says the General does not expect this move, but they are getting ready down by the Battery. Father says the forts cannot stand a river attack."
"But Washington must know this. He never is taken off guard." Andy spoke proudly and with assurance.