Chapter 22-- Identity Revealed

After the tea, Ben pulled his sister off to the side. Checking to make sure no one was listening, he whispered , “I overheard some soldiers talking. One of them said they have a newspaper printer in the jail. He printed some things about King George, and they’re planning on executing him to make an example. But,” he paused. “I have no idea who he is.”
Robyn tilted her head in thought. “I can listen around and figure it out. He definitely needs rescuing.”
Suddenly, Ben’s blue eyes drifted from hers and fixed on a point just over her shoulder, widening slightly. Robyn turned slowly around. Agent Chaplen felt a sudden shock as their eyes met, but couldn’t understand why. He tilted an eyebrow at her and walked off, leaving her heart pounding. For one horrible moment, she thought he had guessed.
~~~~~
The Shadow Fox stepped into the stable. Ben grinned, and she nodded to him in thanks. The sleeping draft he had fixed for Sovay had apparently worked. Both Rivers hated doing that to their cousin, but it had been necessary for Robyn to slip out unnoticed and to keep her identity a secret.
Midnight stood ready with the soft rope halter around her nose. She nickered softly, and her rider nodded. “Just to the tavern, old girl. We may need a quick getaway, however, so stay close by and listen for my whistle.”
The horse tossed her head in an affirmative, and the Shadow Fox mounted. Grasping the rope, she touched her heals to the horse’s flanks, and Midnight trotted out of the barn and down the street.
Once they reached the tavern, Robyn slid off. She looked in the windows. Seeing nothing amiss, she patted her horse and slipped inside. Abruptly, the doors slammed. The Shadow Fox spun around to find Agent Chaplen smiling at her. Captin Long and a squad of British soldiers blocked all the exits. Without thinking, she drew her sword. She realized now men she had seen drinking had just been waiting for her arrival.
The agent smirked at her.“I knew this tale of a newspaper printer would send you running.” He grinned, apparently pleased with his own cleverness. “And where would you run? To get information, of course. And where would that be?”
“Here, naturally,” Robyn said, intentionally stealing his glory and cutting down his gloating.
Chaplen frowned, obviously peeved. This expression lasted for a mere second before it was replaced by the sneer again. “ I think I’ve finally figured you out.”
Robyn’s heart nearly stopped. Oh, no! He recognizes my eyes like he said he would!
“For the longest time, I thought you were a relative of the Rivers.”
She nearly fainted from relief.
However, since you are not Benjamin, and they have no relatives who live close enough, I have come to the conclusion that you must be a good friend of Benjamin’s. The only young man who frequents their residence is Jacob Sumpter.”
The Shadow Fox couldn’t contain herself any longer. She threw back her head and howled with laughter. She was laughing so hard, she failed to notice the smirk spread across Chaplen’s face.
Once she had contained her mirth, the Shadow Fox smiled at him. “You think I’m the son of the proudest loyalist in all of Boston, Agent Chaplen?”
The man smiled. “Indeed. And tomorrow morning, I shall arrest Jacob Sumpter for crimes against the crown and hang him for them.”
Robyn paused, her mind working fast. Why was he telling her he was going to arrest her—or the person he thought he was—before he did so? Suddenly, she understood his game. The mirth gone, she took a deep breath. “I understand. You’re trying to get me to reveal myself so you won’t hang an innocent. When you said you had finally figured me out, you were referring to my weaknesses, not my identity. Now, you’re playing on my weakness.” She frowned. “You know perfectly well he is taller than me, and many British officers can testify to that.” She dipped her head slightly. “I admire your cunning, Agent Chaplen, but I beg you: do not hurt that young man because of me. You are a better man than that.”
Chaplen smiled, knowing he had the boy at his mercy. “Then remove your hood and tell me your name, boy.”
Robyn glared at him, not wanting to reveal herself, but not wanting Jacob Sumpter to get hurt. Suddenly, there was a crash in the tavern’s kitchen. Benjamin Rivers darted out, followed but the tavern keeper’s wife’s scoldings. He raised his arm, and threw the kitchen knife he had nicked. It pinned Long to the door by a sleeve. He threw the rest in his arsenal until every last man—including Chaplen—was pinned to the wall or door by some article of clothing.
He clapped Robyn on the back. “Here I am, always saving your hide. You were about to do something stupid, weren’t you?” He snorted. “I can see it on your eyes. You idiot.” Before his sister could protest, he spun her around and pushed her towards the kitchen.
“Wait!” The Shadow for turned to face the infuriated agent. “Tell me, is there really a newspaper printer, and are you really planning on arresting Jacob Sumpter?”
Chaplen smirked evilly. “Now, that’s my secret.” He yanked his arm free of the knife, ripping his coat.
“Come on, Todd, let’s get going.”
Robyn frowned. “Who’s Todd?”
“You. It’s a nickname that I just now came up with.” He pushed his sister through the door. “A warning, though, the tavern keeper’s wife may attack us with a ladle.”
~~~~~
Robyn pulled herself up on the pulley system on the tree outside the attic window. She poked her head in, and saw that her cousin was still asleep. Quickly, she lit a candle. She removed her belt and sword and stomped—quietly—on the loose board next to the window. Tucking it away in the cavity beneath the floor, the Shadow Fox pulled her hood off. She stood up, fingers at the fox-shaped clasp, and froze.
The floor by the door had creaked. Her heart raced. Had she been rescued by Ben only to be discovered by Agent Chaplen in her own bedchambers? Slowly, the Shadow Fox turned to meet the intruder.

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Yipes! Is this the end?!
Hey guys! I'm posting today because tomorrow starts off classes and that will be insane. Sooooo, enjoy!