Robyn’s plan seemed to be failing. Several weeks had passed, and they had yet to see any likely candidate pass through the gates. The little group had compiled their ideas, but all had eventually agreed that the spy had to be coming in person. Even the fabulous Jack Richards seemed to be coming up dry. They were running out of options, ideas, and time. Several times already, Jack had arrived with questions of the next move from General Washington. She had had no answers for him. The Shadow Fox was getting desperate.
“I want to go!” Sovay announced.
“What?” Robyn gave her an annoyed look from over a pair of ripped breeches.
Her cousin set down her sampler. “I never did like needlework much. Anyway, I want to go with you to the Redcoat’s camp.”
Robyn frowned at her. “I’m not going to the Redcoat’s camp.”
“Yes you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then why are you fixing the breeches to the Redcoat uniform?”
“Because, they were ripped, and need fixing.”
“And the buttons on the coat, I suppose, just needed to be polished.”
Robyn wrinkled her nose. “Yes, they did. They were dirty.”
“And you really care that suit looks nice in that space in the floor, why?”
Her cousin sighed. “It’s too dangerous.”
“Oh, of course. Yet, you still do it.”
“I could never live with myself if something happened to you.”
“Ha! You have used my help before.”
“After great hesitation.”
“Well, you’ve been hesitating all day. No need to ask, I’ll go.”
“You’re an idiot, and you’re not going.” Robyn smiled smugly. “Besides, you have no uniform.”
To her cousin’s surprise and horror, Sovay pulled a red coat from her sewing basket.
“Where did you get that?!”
“Right before we tricked Corporal Reid Remington, I offered to mend his coat. I did.” She held it up to herself. “And it fits nicely.”
Robyn sighed and shook her head.
“Speaking of Corporal Reid Remington, what happened to him?”
“Private Reid Remington was sent back to England in disgrace.”
“Pity he left his coat with me.” Sovay grinned. “Can I come? You really need my help. You’re practically helpless without me.”
“Fine, but if you get yourself captured, I am not going to be pleased.”
~~~~~~
A cheerful blonde drummer and his red-haired friend strode into the camp on the commons. No one paid them any mind. After all, the drummers were just boys. They were of no account.
Sovay giggled. “This is fun!”
“Keep your voice down.” Robyn glanced around warily. “We don’t want any one getting suspicious.”
Sovay sighed. “Kill joy.” She glanced around, as well. “Should we split up or—“
“You there! Boy!”
Both girls spun around in shock. An officer stood behind them, frowning importantly.
Robyn, used to playing the part of a drummer boy, answered, “Aye, sir?”
He held out a sealed letter to her. “Take this directly to General Howe.”
Both girls turned to leave.
“Wait a moment!” They turned back around, and the officer jabbed his finger at Sovay. “You! Carry firewood for the cook.”
Sovay and Robyn exchanged glances. “I’ll be back,” Robyn hissed.
As casually as possible, both girls strode off to carry out their individual tasks. Robyn headed in the direction of General Howe’s house and Sovay in the direction of the wood pile. Both hoped the other would be okay.
Robyn trotted easily along Milk Street. She wasn’t worried in the slightest for her own safety. General Howe was a clever general, but he wasn’t very good at remembering faces. Besides, Robyn had much of her mother’s old stage make-up coving her face.
Sovay, on the other hand. She sighed. She never should have brought her cousin along.
She arrived on the doorstep of the house. After she rapped several times, the door was opened by a maid. When Robyn announced she had a message for the general, the maid quickly showed her in. She was stopped by an officer, but he waved her on through after seeing the seal on the letter. Taking a deep breath, Robyn knocked on the door to the general’s study.
“What do you want?”
She cleared her throat. “A message for General Howe, sir.”
There was a grumble, then, “Enter.”
Robyn pushed open the door and entered the study. Then, she froze. General Howe sat behind his desk, talking to a young man with bright red hair. As his green eyes met hers, recognition dawned on his face. At the same time, Robyn suddenly understood everything.
“Well?” snapped General Howe, who seemed to be oblivious to the tension in the air.
Robyn stayed rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do.
Jack Richards just stared at her, mouth slightly open.
“Well?” growled Howe.
As Jack inhaled to speak, the Shadow Fox turned and ran.
“Stop him!” Jack’s voice rang out after her. “That’s the Shadow Fox!”
She practically leaped down the stairs in a mad dash to get out of the house. However, her flight was in vain. Several officers darted out of various rooms to stop her. Quickly, they surrounded her. She skidded to a halt, trapped. There was no escape.
Howe descended the stairs, smirking. Jack followed at his heels. The general eyed the Shadow Fox thoughtfully. “Are you sure this is him?” he asked Jack.
The youth regarded her thoughtfully, almost as if he was contemplating whether or not to say yes.
Robyn regarded him with a cold stare.
Slowly, he nodded. “Yes, that’s him.”
“Arrest him!”
The officers quickly secured her, then glanced at Howe for further instructions.
He smirked at Robyn. “You are being arrested for high treason against the crown. What do you have to say for yourself?”
Robyn smiled. “You may have caught me, General, but you’ll never win.”
“We’ll see. Take him away! Do not let him escape! He will be hanged on the morrow.” He smiled at Jack. “Good work, Richards.”
Robyn shot Jack one last glare before she was dragged out of the door.
-----
Okay, so I did two mean things. First, I posted two days late. Second, I made you think the Shadow Fox was going to catch the spy when in fact, she was the spy that was caught. I guess you could throw a third in there: I left you on a rather nasty cliff hanger. The first one I am ashamed of, the last two I am not.
I told you I didn't like Jack. He is not a nice person. I was about to say raise your hand if you saw this coming, but I can't see your hands, so post and tell me so. I was thinking I was making it too obvious.
Anyway,
Holy Cliff Hanger, Batman!
Have the Redcoats finally defeated the Shadow Fox?
Is her neck about to get longer?
Will Agent Chaplen throw a party?
Is Ben going to grow a beard?!
Find out next week! Same bat-site, same bat-Monday!
Have a great week, ya'll. ^.^
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