When he reached his father's house, supposing the front door was locked,
he went to the kitchen window, where he had heard the patriotic remarks of
his mother. Tom told his story in substance as we have related it.

"Do you mean what you have said, mother?" inquired he, when he had
finished his narrative.

Mrs. Somers bit her lip in silence for a moment.

"Certainly I do, Thomas," said she, desperately.

It was half-past one when the boys retired, but it was another hour before
Tom's excited brain would permit him to sleep. His head was full of a big
thought.




CHAPTER VIII.

SIGNING THE PAPERS.


Thomas went to sleep at last, and, worn out by the fatigue and excitement
of the day, he slept long and soundly. His mother did not call him till
eight o'clock, and it was nine before he reached the store of his
employer, where the recital of the adventure of the preceding night proved
to be a sufficient excuse for his non-appearance at the usual hour.

In the course of the week Captain Benson had procured the necessary