Chapter 35-- Chaplen is not Surprised--Happy 4th part 2

Agent Chaplen was startled by a knock at his door. He set the book he had been reading down and called, “Enter.”
Robyn came in, leading General Howe. She curtsied, then left. The general was beaming. A smirk nearly as wide as his face sat proudly under his nose.
Chaplen arched an eyebrow. “To what do I owe this pleasure, General?”
Behind the Howe, four heads poked around the door. One had a tricorn hat on.
The general cleared his throat. “I’ve captured him.”
Chaplen looked away from the four grinning faces. “You’ve captured who?”
“The Shadow Fox, you idiot! “
“Ah.” He wondered if this had to do with the boy’s plan. It certainly had to do with the four grinning faces. Most curious. “And how did you manage this?”
“We caught him riding the streets. His horse nearly bucked him off. We were surprised. I thought you claimed she was very loyal to him.”
“She is.” He arched an eyebrow at Ben, who just grinned.
“You’ll never believe who the Shadow Fox is.” Howe’s face reddened in furry.
Suddenly, Chaplen knew. “Remington.”
Howe closed his mouth in annoyance. “How did you know that?”
Chaplen smiled at the head that had joined the four peeking around the door. “Reid Remington. R.R. About the right height, but the wrong color of eyes. Very well done.”
The new head and the tricorned one exchanged glances.
Howe frowned, confused. “What?”
“He means, General Howe, that Corporal Reid Remington is not the Shadow Fox.”
Howe spun around to see the Shadow Fox leaning cockily against the door frame, one leg drawn up.
“You—how—what—“ the general spluttered.
Chaplen rested his chin on his linked fingers. “Once again, General, this boy has out-foxed you. He gets rid of Remington which clears his way to take care of your famous spy.”
“But—“
“But what? I’m sorry General, but there’s nothing you can do but release Remington. His only crime is for falling for the Shadow Fox’s clever plan.”
The boy spoke up. “Actually, Chaplen, I have to give credit where credit is due.” He waved his hand at the boy with the tricorn hat. “My friend here came up with this plot, not I.”
The tricorned boy wiggled his fingers in a wave at Howe.
“Where are my officers?! Arrest these children at once!”
Laughing, the four youths darted off. The Shadow Fox paused to bow with a dramatic flourish.
Chaplen nodded in return, a broad smile on his face.
~~~~~
The group laughed as they walked the streets towards the Sumpters’ home.
“That was brilliant, all. Thank you so much for helping me get rid of Corporal Remington.”
Jacob snorted. “Try Private Remington. I highly doubt he’ll keep his position of power after what happened tonight.”
The cloak one laughed, nodding. “Well, thanks all the same. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Anytime.”
Alice trotted over to the Shadow Fox. “So, do you need help with that spy?”
Robyn took a surreptitious step away from her. “Keep your eyes and ears open. One of the best things about you is that they don’t think you can do anything because you are a girl.”
Sovay grinned. “Oh, I do love these adventures. Boston is such a fun place!”
Ben sighed. “Huh, try being the doctor for all these fun adventures."

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Ta-da! Yes, I know it's shorter than usual, but the last chapter was longer than usual. So there.
Yay! Reid is gone! Now all I have to worry about is that spy. Huff (that was the sound of Robyn and I blowing a strand of hair from our eyes, btw). Now that Howe is thoroughly embarrassed, Chaplen is free to track down the Shadow Fox in peace. He will catch her. You can be sure of that. Oh yes. Whether or not she hangs, though, is up to Chaplen. I still don't know what he'll do. Creepy character, that. And yes, I like him. Why do I always like my bad guys?
Anyway, Enjoy! And be all Patriotic today! March around the house (or the neighborhood) playing/singing Yankee Doodle! Wear that tricorn hat! Enlist your siblings into your Revolutionary Army Parade! Blow something up! (or, if you live in one of those states like I do that only allow things that don't leave the ground--come on, guys! What's the purpose of fireworks if they don't go anywhere?!--get a bottle rocket and shoot it across the ground. It doesn't really leave the ground, does it? ;))Dump some tea in a river (please, please not in your neighbor's pool)! (What? No! I am not planning on doing any of these!) There might be some dumb people running the place right now, but even with all their efforts (unintentional and otherwise) to make us feel/look like a bunch of idiots, we are still a great nation! Be proud to be an American! And if you're one of my international readers, give the nearest American a hug.
Have a great week, guys!
Cloaked Patriot out!!