“What,” said Sugden, “at this time? Surely not. Why, he is regarded as a military genius by the rebels.”
Hawkins laughed lowly.
“He is regarded so—yes. But is he really such? Howe does not think so, at any rate.”
“If the Americans but believe in him, that will be enough to give them heart. It should be Howe’s plan to keep them plunged in their present discouragement as deeply as possible.”
Again Tobias Hawkins laughed.
“Perhaps,” said he, “General Howe has a more complete plan than you think. What would you say——” here he bent forward and whispered a few words in Sugden’s ear.
“What!” almost cried the latter gentleman. “Is it possible?”
“Price tells me that it is a fact.”
“Why, then, in that case, we can even lose in the little affair of to-night, and still do no great harm.”
“In the face of this news,” smiled Tobias Hawkins, “the armies of France can support the armies of Washington if they see fit. It will make little or no difference. But for all that, let us make doubly sure, and win over this young Frenchman, now that we have him so nearly in our hands. I have found, by long experience, that it is not good policy to miss a single point, even though one apparently does not need it.”