On this occasion, he went directly to Mr. Vosburgh’s residence, resolving to take no risks out of the line of duty.  His first thought now was the securing of Marian’s safety.  He had learned that there was no longer any special need for personal effort on his part to gain information, since the police authorities had wires stretching to almost every part of the city.  An account of the risks taken to keep up this telegraphic communication would make a strange, thrilling chapter in itself.  Moreover, police detectives were busy everywhere, and Mr. Vosburgh at headquarters and with the aid of his own agents could now obtain all the knowledge essential.  Therefore the young fellow’s plan was simple, and he indicated his course at once after a cordial greeting from Mr. Vosburgh and Marian.

“Hard fighting appears to me to be the way to safety,” said he.  “I can scarcely believe that the rioters will endure more than another day of such punishment as they received yesterday.  Indeed, I should not be surprised if to-day was comparatively quiet.”

“I agree with you,” said Mr. Vosburgh, “unless the signals I saw last night indicate a more general uprising than has yet taken place.  The best elements of the city are arming and organizing.  There is a deep and terrible anger rising against the mob and all its abettors and sympathizers.”

“I know it,” cried Merwyn; “I feel it myself.  When I think of the danger which threatened your home and especially Miss Vosburgh, I feel an almost ungovernable desire to be at the wretches.”

“But that means greater peril for you,” faltered the young girl.

“No, it means the shortest road to safety for us all.  A mob is like fire:  it must be stamped out of existence as soon as possible.”

“I think Merwyn is right,” resumed Mr. Vosburgh.  “Another day of successful fighting will carry us to safety, for the general government is moving rapidly in our behalf, and our militia regiments are on their way home.  I’ll be ready to go to headquarters with you in a minute.”

“Oh, please do not be rash to-day.  If you had fallen yesterday think what might have happened,” said Marian.

“Every blow I strike to-day, Miss Vosburgh, will be nerved by the thought that you have one enemy, one danger, the less; and I shall esteem it the greatest of privileges if I can remain here to-night again as one of your protectors.”

“I cannot tell you what a sense of security your presence gives me,” she replied.  “You seem to know just what to do and how to do it.”

“Well,” he answered, with a grim laugh, “one learns fast in these times.  A very stern necessity is the mother of invention.”

“Yes,” sighed the girl, “one learns fast.  Now that I have seen war, it is no longer a glorious thing, but full of unspeakable horrors.”

“This is not war,” said Merwyn, a little bitterly.  “I pity, while I detest, the poor wretches we knock on the head.  Your friends, who have fought the elite of the South will raise their eyebrows if they hear us call this war.”