Char.  How?  Tell me.  I am not afraid.

Gordon.  And I believe you.  The enemy are sure to come and search the house.  When they come, you must get them all together here.  Do not be surprised at anything you see.  Take this paper.  It’s simply a decoy.  The plans are false.  Use it to get them in this room.  If need be, say you have taken it from Carter.

Char. (white with terror).  I will.

[Takes paper.

Gordon.  Remember, you and I have got to save the army.  Now, when the men are here, on some pretense or other, you must break that window.  It is a signal for the colonel to escape.  You understand.  You will not fail?

Char.  Decoy them with this paper, and when they are here, break that window.  I can do it, and I will.

Gordon (taking her hands and looking straight in her eyes).  The life of Morgan’s army is in your two hands.  You will not fail.

[Exit hurriedly into the hall.

Char.  God help me through this evening’s work.

[Enter Bev, Mrs. S., Fair, Marthy and Cupid hurriedly.

Bev.  They’re coming, a whole squad of soldiers, up the avenue.  I can hear them!

Char.  The avenue, you say?

Bev.  Yes, they’re nearly here.

Char.  You stay in here.  You must obey me.  Stay, and let me keep them. (Exit into hall.  The voices of many solders are heard, the noise of their boots on the porch. (Without)—­So you have come to search the place?

[A wild sort of irony in her tone.

Winth.  With your permission.

Char. (at the door).  Oh, certainly.  Come in, come in.  Perhaps you think you’ll find other of your friends?

Winth.  Madam, my quickest way is to make the best of a bad business, for you must see my duty in this matter.  My men, with your permission, must search your house and then your grounds.

Mrs. S. I have told you, sir, that no one can deny the right of conquest.

[Winthrop, white and silent, turns to the men.

Winth.  Hopkins, will you conduct the search, as quickly and as quietly as possible?

Hop.  As you say.

[He and the soldiers start to the door, but are stopped by a cry
from Charlotte, who stands between curtains at door center.

Char.  Wait there!  Your search shall not be long.  See, I have all you wish.  I have the paper here! (She tears it from the front of her dress).  See, all the plans!  Your visit shall not be in vain.  And if you want a prisoner, and if you are not satisfied, why then take me.  Ha!  I am not afraid of you!  Come, take me as your spy; I’ll do you men no harm.  Here, take the paper; it’s all you need.  I have the information, but I’ll give it back to you. (She tears the paper in pieces, flinging it at them).  There, fit the pieces for yourselves!

[The men all gather around the table, placing the paper before
them.

Hop.  It’s only torn twice.  Spread that piece out.  What’s here?