Awed, overwhelmed, they stole to the back parlor; but Marian soon faltered, “O Mr. Merwyn, won’t you forgive me?”

He made no reply, and a moment later he stepped to the door.  Mr. Vosburgh hastily entered, and Marian rushed into his arms.

“What, Merwyn! you here?  Thank God my darling was not alone!  Well, Merwyn, you’ve got to play the soldier now, and so have we all.”

“I shall not ’play the soldier’;” was the reply, in quick, firm utterance.  “But no matter about me, except that my time is limited.  I wish to report to you certain things which I have seen, and leave it to your decision whether I can serve you somewhat, and whether Miss Vosburgh should remain in the city.  I would also respectfully suggest that your colored servant be sent out of town at once.  I offer my services to convey her to New Jersey, if you know of a near refuge there, or else to my place in the country.”

“Good God, Merwyn! don’t you know that by such an act you take your life in your hand?”

“I have already taken it in my hand, an open hand at that.  It has become of little value to me.  But we have not a second to lose.  I have a very sad duty to perform at once, and only stayed till you came.  If you have learned the spirit abroad to-day, you know that your household was and is in danger.”

“Alas!  I know it only too well.  The trouble had scarcely begun before I was using agents and telegraph wires.  I have also been to police headquarters.  Only the sternest sense of duty to the government kept me so long from my child; but a man at Washington is depending on me for information.”

“So I supposed.  I may be able to serve you, if you can bring yourself to employ a coward.  I shall be at police headquarters, and can bring you intelligence.  When not on duty you should be in the streets as little as possible.  But, first, I would respectfully suggest that Miss Vosburgh retire, for I have things to say to you which she should not hear.”

“This to me, who listened to the story of Gettysburg?”

“All was totally different then.”

“And I, apparently, was totally different.  I deserve your reproach; I should be sent to the nursery.”

“I think you should go and help Mrs. Borden,” said Merwyn, quietly.

“It’s impossible to send Mammy Borden away just yet,—­not till darkness comes to aid our effort,” said Mr. Vosburgh, decisively.  “You can serve me greatly, Merwyn, and your country also, if you have the nerve.  It will require great risks.  I tell you so frankly.  This is going to prove worse than open battle.  O Marian, would to God you were with your mother!”

“In that case I would come to you if I had to walk.  I have wronged and insulted you, Mr. Merwyn; I beg your pardon.  Now don’t waste another moment on me, for I declare before God I shall remain with my father unless taken away by force; and you would soon find that the most fatal course possible.”