“Let us away,” said Willie. “Come, Robert, you are slow.”
Robert Holmes dropped the bar with which he had been prying open the window, and came forward, saying:
“Our work is taken out of our hands. Katrine, have you no greeting for me, now that I am no longer Boston Bainbridge, but Robert Holmes?”
His voice broke the spell; she was in his arms in a moment, sobbing. “They told me you were dead. I thought I knew your voice.”
“Let us get out of this, Robert,” said Willie. “You had better carry Katrine. How much they must have endured.”
“Preserve the sword, Willie,” whispered Theresa, “it has saved me.”
Keeping in the rear of the house, they stole out of the postern gate through which they had entered, and soon placed the girls in safety in the house which was first taken. This done, the young men went back to their duty. Van Curter was there.
“Have you succeeded?” he cried, taking his cue from their happy faces.
“Yes, thank God, the girls are out of that villain’s power, and we have nothing to restrain us from an attack upon the house. Give me that white scarf, and I will speak to them.”
“Be careful, Robert,” said his brother; “they are desperate men, and may not respect the flag.”