k on his way home for a moment's visit with his
mother. I entrusted him with a letter I dared not send through the
post, telling her to come to me at once, bringing a set of garments
exactly like those she herself would wear." He chuckled. "She came,
thinking me quite mad, but obeying me as is her habit. In a moment, I
had told her all. She left the extra clothes in that basket with me
and now waits us beyond the courtyard, where Sir Henry and his friends
will find an empty scaffold tomorrow."

Thus the little jailor, unlocking Haym's chains as he spoke.

"But I do not understand--" Haym was still bewildered, after his long
hours of torturing doubt and uncertainty--"You never spoke to me of
escaping."

"I dared not raise your hopes too high. What if Sir Henry decided I
was not so stupid after all and put another jailor in my place? But
now all is ready. The sentinels below have seen my wife visit me today
and I took pains to let them believe she was dining in my room,
whereas she slipped away when the guard was being changed. Now when
you leave the prison with me, I have but to say that I am taking my
good dame to the stage coach." Again he chuckled, half forcing Salomon
into the calico dress. "Instead, we will meet her at the appointed
place, you will slip off these flounces--she cautioned me that you
should not tread upon them and tear them down, as she loves this frock
dearly,--and seek your good friend, General McDougall, who commands
the rebel forces in our neighborhood and will grant you protection,
while my wife and I will hurry back to our little farm."

"But your position here--" Haym fumbled with the unfamiliar buttons of
the dress.

"I do not care to remain here and have Sir Henry Clinton try me in his
court," answered the other, simply. "So a week ago I handed in my
resignation--my rheumatism cannot endure this prison dampness--my wife
insists that unless I come home for the harvest, she will come to
fetch me--and other strong proofs that I must leave the dear old
Provost. And, fortunately, my friend, the noble gentleman who secured
this post for me has fallen in battle, and no one else knows where to
look for the stupid jailor who helped Haym Salomon to escape."

"But, my friend, I cannot allow you to take such a risk for me,"
protested Salomon. "And even if you are not punished--do you care to
give up your post for my sake?"

"I, too, have grown tired of this devil's business," answered the
little