Part 18 (2/2)

The storm had moderated, and Tom now had to hasten back to camp where he was welcomed for he had for distribution a large bag of apples, given him by Jackie's father.

That evening about the camp-fire Tom recounted his adventures to his friends, and a trip was planned for the next day to explore the secrets of the old house.

The following morning, after drill and the camp duties had been performed, Tom, d.i.c.k and Ben set out for the scene of the previous day's excitement.

”I don't believe half of these 'haunted house' stories,” said Tom, ”ever since-,” and here he stopped.

”Yes, ever since you thought we had a real ghost, and suggested leaving the poor spirit to its own reflection while you and the rest of us made for home,” broke in d.i.c.k.

”When was that?” questioned Ben.

”Why, about a year ago,” d.i.c.k responded, ”four of us spent a night in a house with a 'haunted' reputation, and after numerous fake alarms, caused by the wind shaking the windows or banging the shutters, we at last got track of the real disturber, who happened along the very night we were on watch.”

”Who was it?” questioned Ben, eagerly, while Tom, remembering his temporary terror on that night, grew suspiciously red in the face.

”None other than a marauding cat,” d.i.c.k replied, ”whose head had stuck in a can it was drinking from, and who knocked the unwelcome helmet on the floor in an effort to disengage it.”

The boys had now reached the old mansion, and a trip through its ruined rooms failed to reveal anything unusual, so after gathering another supply of apples, the three returned to camp.

Chapter XV

d.i.c.k Again Does Spy-Work

As the days and weeks dragged slowly past and the British did not make an attack on the patriot force on Brooklyn Heights, General Was.h.i.+ngton became somewhat impatient. He was puzzled by the action, or rather lack of action of the enemy, and was desirous of learning what it meant.

There was only one way that this could be done-by sending a spy to venture among the enemy and spy upon them, and as d.i.c.k Dare had done good work for him on two former occasions, the commander-in-chief decided to try him again. He had been on the Heights, conferring with General Putnam, on the afternoon of August 20th, and presently he summoned an orderly and told him to tell d.i.c.k Dare to come to headquarters.

The orderly saluted and went in search of the youth, whom he found in company with his brother Tom, and Ben Foster and two or three other soldiers, talking listlessly and wondering when the British would make an attack.

”d.i.c.k Dare, you are wanted at headquarters,” said the orderly. ”The commander-in-chief sent me to inform you.”

d.i.c.k leaped up with alacrity.

”I'll go at once,” he said.

”Maybe he is wanting you to do some more spy-work, d.i.c.k,” suggested Ben.

”I hope so. I would like to get away from camp and circulate around awhile.”

”So would I,” said Tom.

”Yes, and get captured again,” grinned Ben. ”You are not cut out for spy-work, Tom. You are too impulsive.”

”Oh, I don't know about that,” demurred Tom. ”I'd like to try spying, on my own hook, once, like d.i.c.k does.”

”I don't think either of us would be as successful as d.i.c.k,” remarked Ben.

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