icated it.

"When do they meet?"

"Thursda' next."

"Are you sure?"

"Anderson hisself jest told me."

"He has been here already?"

"Ye-eh, this aft'rnoon."

He looked down upon the ground, considering.

"Where do they meet?"

"Th' basement o' th' Baptist Church."

"Tell me, Jim," Stephen asked quietly. "Why did you enlist in that
company?"

"I hed t', I told ye."

"Were you compelled to?"

"I was."

And then he told him of the number of debts which beset him, and the
starvation which was beginning to prick him. He told of the first visit
of Anderson and his offer of four pounds to every volunteer in the new
regiment of Catholic soldiers. He declared that he had refused
absolutely to take part in any disloyal act, however great might be the
reward, and had said that he preferred to starve until the colonists had
obtained their rights. He then told of Anderson's second visit, during
which he offered to relieve him of all financial obligations on
condition that he would sign with him; which offer he again refused. And
finally he related how he was threatened with imprisonment for his
indebtedness, and was actually served with the papers of arrest and
confinement in the stocks unless his signature was given, and how he was
at length obliged to yield and sign over the allegiance.

Stephen listened intently throughout it all, oddly studying the face of
his companion, reading into his very soul as he spoke. He was satisfied
now with Cadwalader's story.

"Jim," he said at length. "You do not want to join this regiment?"

"No, sir!" he exclaimed aloud. "Not a bit uv it."

"If I promise to assist you to escape from this man, will you lend me
your help?"

"Will I? Enythin' y' ask, sir."

His eyes brightened with manifest ardor.

"I want to go to that meeting, and I want you to let me take your
place."

"Sure, y' ken."

"And I want to borrow your clothes."

"I ain't got much," observed Jim, extending his hands and looking down
at his clothing, "but what I hev, is yours."

"And I want you to be in the vicinity of the building to join in any
agitation which may result against Mr. Anderson."

"I'll do thet, too."

"Of course, if we fail it may go hard with us. A crowd is an uncertain
element to deal with, you realize. But it is our only chance. Will you
take it?"

"O' course, I'll take it. I'll do enythin' y' say, enythin'."

"And Jim! You know of many so-called members of that company who ha