Chapter 16-- A Terrible Trick

Shhhhthunk!
Ben strode to the post and removed the knife from center of the target he had draw in the post. He retraced his steps to his previous position and threw the knife again.
A small figure with a tricorn hat over blonde hair applauded as the knife hit its target again. “You are quite handy with that knife.”
Ben smiled at his sister. “And you are so very bored that you opted to come and watch.”
Robyn picked up the sick Patriot had dropped and threw it. The dog bounded joyfully across the sand to retrieve his toy. “They haven’t been doing anything of late. No capture the Shadow Fox plans or destroy the rebels plans, or kill somebody important plans.”
Ben chuckled. “Maybe Chaplen knew you would get bored, and thought you would do something foolish.”
The girl shrugged her shoulders. “Possibly. I’m not planning on anything foolish, though.”
Her brother nodded in relief. That statement had been what he was secretly prodding for. Smiling, he retrieved the knife. The dog bounded back to Robyn and dropped the stick. She threw it with a sigh. Ben tossed the knife in the air. Upon catching it, he had an idea. “Robyn--”
“Shh!”
Ben stopped abruptly and tilted his head in question. She placed a finger to her lips and point to the pier above them. Ben could make out voices.
“…are you sure that’s a good plan?”
“I didn’t make it up. The general did. He’s sending Captain Long and three others besides you and I.”
“Surely he won’t fall for that.”
The boards creaked as the other man shifted his wait. “I’m not sure. I just do as I’m ordered, and you should as well.”
“I still don’t think the rebels will fall for it.”
There was a creaking of the boards as the two soldiers walked off. Patriot head-butted Robyn’s legs. He wagged his tail and dropped the stick at her feet. Chortling, Ben picked up the stick and tossed it.
“What do you think they were talking about?”
Ben shrugged his shoulders as he watch the dog bounding towards him with the stick in his mouth. Robyn was silent for a few seconds. Suddenly, she stood . “Well, I’m going to find out.”
She strode off. Ben whistled for Patriot and followed her. She slipped into the crowd. Signing, he picked up his pace with the dog following. However, she had disappeared. “Slow down!”
“You speed up!” Her voice and laughter drifted back to them.
Ben marveled at the way she could make herself disappear. Suddenly, she was at his elbow. He glanced at her with a smile and noticed that the stage make up was coming off. Part of the scar was showing. He opened his mouth to comment, then stopped. Robyn noticed his absence a few steps later and turned back to him, but stopped also.
“I tell you, it’s sure to fail.”
“But, sir--”
“Honestly, Captain, does Howe have no brain?”
“Sir, I only follow orders.”
“I can think of several better plans.”
“I do not think the general wants your input, sir--begging your pardon.”
“I understand his views on the matter.” Agent Chaplen sighed in exasperation. He should find a better way to lure him out, though.”
“Sir, General Howe only requests that you keep the boy inside the city.”
“Of course he does.”
Long seemed flustered at Chaplen’s irritation, Ben noted. He glanced at Robyn to see what she thought, but she seemed only to be concerned in keeping herself out of the agent’s line of vision. Again, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at the two men and discovered that Agent Chaplen was looking in his direction. Pretending he hadn’t seen either of them, Ben made a quick hand signal to Patriot. The dog began to bark. The boy bent down to ruffle his ears and quiet his barking. He glanced sideways to where Robyn had been, but she had vanished.
“Think he heard us?” Long asked as quietly as he could manage.
Chaplen frowned slightly, considering. “Probably. I want you to keep a man on him until tonight.”
“Yes, sir.”
~~~~
When Ben arrived home, Robyn was in the barn talking to Midnight. The horse whinnied in greeting. Skirts rustling, his sister turned to face him. He grinned at her.
“It’s a good thing you have been teaching Patriot all those hand signals. He made me seem a bit less inconspicuous.”
Robyn grinned. “They are just some of the many I’ve taught Midnight. I figured Patriot could help the Shadow Fox if he had need of the ball of fur. I’m glad he was of use in that respect.”
Ben returned the grin and patted the dog affectionately.

Robyn slipped out into the streets to gather more information. Ben had wanted to come as well but had noticed a young British officer following him and had stayed behind. The girl figured she could gather information easier and a girl’s dress. Men didn’t seem to think girls could do anything in the war.
She slipped down to the Commons, but heard nothing there. A trip to the wharves had the same result. Briefly, the girl even slipped into Tory taverns. With no other options, she stood by every group of Redcoats she came upon and listened to their conversation. It all was of no avail. The only people who seemed to know about this trap were the people involved in it, General Howe, and Chaplen.
It was nearly dust when she turned for home. Shoulders slumped, she plodded on. Feelings of despair and frustration welled up in her. They were going to lure some one out and most likely kill him. She had no doubt that this person was important. But who? If I only had an idea I could know how to help him..
“Robyn? Hold on, Robyn!”
The tired girl turned to see a waving Alice coming towards her. Robyn sighed, feeling the day couldn’t get any worse.
“You’ll never guess.” When the other made no motion to say anything, Alice continued. “I was talking to one of the officers who is staying in our house about the wars. Do you know what he told me?” Robyn didn’t know nor did she care at the moment so she kept silent. Understanding that she wasn’t going to answer, the girl didn’t pause very long. “He said that he and five other men were going this night to Cambridge. They‘ve just left.”
“Exciting,” Robyn replied when Alice took a breath.
“And they’re going to assassinate the man who in over the rebel rabble, um-”
“General Washington?!” Robyn said, suddenly attentive.
“Yes, that’s the one. Wait? Where are you going? Running like that is very unladylike!”
Robyn didn’t hear her. The girl was running madly towards her home now. Dodging people who let out cries of irritation, she sped up. Washington’s life depended on her speed.
~~~
Agent Chaplen strode to the barn with his arms folded. He was irritated with Howe for enlisting his services to keep the Shadow Fox in Boston. He opened the barn door and stepped inside. Glancing around, he noticed Ben. The boy stood by the black mare’s stall with a frown on his face and a piece of paper in his hand. Chaplen glanced at Midnight’s empty stall and snatched the note from Ben. The boy glared at him but made no move to take back the paper. Frowning, Chaplen read the note quickly. It read:

Ben~
I have borrowed Patriot. He came bounding at Midnight’s hooves when I lead her out of her stall. Patriot refused to stay here, so I t took him with me. Your little fur-ball may be of use. I finally figured out what they’re up to. You’ll never guess who made the mistake of telling me! I’ll tell you later in case this letter is read. I’ll return your dog shortly. Wish me luck!
~S.F.

Chaplen cursed. He crumpled the letter and tossed aside. Glaring at Ben as if it was all his fault, he saddled his horse with such speed that he kept on having to redo things. Swiftly, he mounted his horse and rode off. Surely the Shadow Fox couldn’t have been gone long. He hoped he could catch the boy before he left the city.

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Oh no! Will she make it in time? Is General Washington gonna die!? If you are thinking yes, I strongly suggest a book on world history. If Gen. Washington dies, then I dare say we're calling car parts "boots" and "bonnets" and drinking lots and lots of tea and eating fish and chips. Hehe. If you are doing the aforementioned things, you are (a) in England or (b) from England or (c)odd. Or it's talk-like-a-Brit-day. Hehe.
Well, see ya'll next week!