Mr. Vosburgh’s laugh reassured her, and he said:  “I fancy I shall pass among strangers, since you don’t know me.  Nothing could be better than the milk and crackers.  No wine.  My head must be clearer to-day than it ever was before.  So the Irish Biddy has gone with her plunder?  Good riddance to her.  She would have been a spy in the camp.  I’ll bring home food that won’t require cooking, and you’ll have to learn to make coffee, for Merwyn and others will, no doubt, often come half dead from fatigue.  All we can do is to forage in such shops as are open, and you’ll have to take the office of commissary at once.  You must also be my private secretary.  As fast as I write these despatches and letters copy them.  I can eat and write at the same time.  In an hour I must go out.”

“I won’t play the fool again,” said the girl, doggedly.

“Drink this glass of milk first, while I run down for more, and satisfy my mind as to the fastenings, etc.”

“But, papa—­”

“Marian,” he said, gravely, “you can stay with me only on one condition:  you must obey orders.”

“That is what Mr. Merwyn said.  Oh what a credit I’ve been to my military friends!” and with difficulty she drank the milk.

“You are a promising young recruit,” was the smiling reply.  “We’ll promote you before the week’s out.”

In five minutes he was back, cool, yet almost as quick as light in every movement.

The despatches she copied were unintelligible to Marian, but the one to whom they were addressed had the key.  The copies of the letters were placed in a secret drawer.

When their tasks were finished, Mr. Vosburgh looked up and down the street and was glad to find it comparatively empty.  The storm of passion was raging elsewhere.

He closed all the shutters of the house, giving it a deserted aspect, then said to his daughter.  “You must admit no one in my absence, and parley with no one who does not give the password, ’Gettysburg and Little Round Top.’  If men should come who say these words, tell them to linger near without attracting attention, and come again after I return.  Admit Merwyn, of course, for you know his voice.  It is a terrible trial to leave you alone, but there seems to be no prospect of trouble in this locality.  At all events, I must do my duty, cost what it may.  Be vigilant, and do not worry unnecessarily if I am detained.”

“I am bent on retrieving myself, papa; and I’d rather die than be so weak again.”

“That’s my brave girl.  You won’t die.  After this venture, which I must make at once, I shall be able to take greater precautions;” and with a fond look and kiss, he hastened away through the basement entrance, Marian fastening it securely after him.

We must now follow Merwyn’s fortunes for a time.  Rapidly, yet vigilantly he made his way up town and crossed Third Avenue.  He soon observed that the spirit of lawlessness was increasing.  Columns of smoke were rising from various points, indicating burning buildings, and in Lexington Avenue he witnessed the unblushing sack of beautiful homes, from which the inmates had been driven in terror for their lives.