"Remove her to another location, then. Mrs. de la Gura, the newspapers have been most explicit. The law in effect since 1850 puts all the right on that gentleman's side-"

"The law be damned! I'm thinking about Mary. But perhaps moving her isn't a bad idea. Michael-?"

"Won't work, Mrs. A."

"Why not?"

He crooked a finger and led her to one of the narrow windows flanking the front door.

"Take a look at what I spied when you were inside with the captain the second time."

She peered out, saw a man huddled against a tree in the small park in the center of the square.

"Hell of a chilly evening to be taking the air, don't you think?" Michael asked. "There's another chap similarly occupied opposite the entrance to the alley. I saw both climb out of Tunworth's hackney. That captain may be a countryman, but he's no fool. I'll wager he was prepared for a refusal and hired those lads from some saloon or other."

"To keep watch."

"Aye. You know the law says bystanders may be summoned to help recapture a slave. Or a posse comitatus can be formed-"

"So if we remove her, they'll follow us."

"Undoubtedly."

"Then we'll have to keep her here for the moment. But I won't let them take her. I don't give a damn how many orders they produce. That bald bastard helped drive Jephtha out of his own home-and now he's turned him into a fugitive too-Michael, you examine all the locks and latches downstairs. Make sure they're fastened. Hampton, I want someone awake and watching the front and back entrances at all times. I'll take my turn-you will too, Louis. I've also got to speak with Mary. It isn't fair to conceal what's happened-especially since we may have unexpected visitors crashing in on us in the next day or two-"

She started for the library. "But first I think I'd better do what I forgot to do Friday night. Locate my old revolver."

The library door closed with the sharpness of a gun firing.

Louis and the servants stared, still too stunned to react. Only Michael Boyle showed animation-lifting a hand to his mouth and rocking back on his heels as he laughed, half in admiration, half in dismay.

Chapter IX.

Besieged

i

IN THE EARLY HOURS of Monday morning, the temperature climbed a few degrees above the freezing mark. Rain began to turn the last of the snow to slush. Amanda woke around five, having tossed restlessly most of the night. Her knees and elbows ached; she felt ancient.

She put on a robe and lit the gas. While the rain pelted the windows, she sat worrying about Jephtha, and pondering the dilemma created by Captain Tunworth's arrival. When it grew light, she walked to the bedroom window that overlooked Madison Square.

Among the dripping, leafless trees of the little park stood a small kiosk with latticework sides. Inside the kiosk she glimpsed a man pacing to and fro beneath the conical roof. Whether it was the same watcher Michael had spied the preceding evening, she couldn't say. But someone was there- By the time she went downstairs, the servants had already lit the gas to dispel the gloom. She quickly became aware of the strained atmosphere in the house. The two remaining maids, the cook and Mr. Hampton all knew the mansion was under surveillance. They went about their work with drawn looks and few words.

She had no appetite for breakfast. She went directly to the kitchen, poured herself a cup of tea and carried it into the dining room, where Michael sat in front of an untasted platter of ham and fried potatoes. As she sank into her chair and unfolded her napkin, she asked, "Did you sleep badly, Michael?"

"I didn't sleep at all, Mrs. A. I looked in on our guest, though. She was snoring. You did tell her about Tunworth?"

"Yes."

"Well, she evidently feels reasonably secure in this house." He grimaced as Mr. Mayor prowled from under the table and leaped into his lap. "I think she's the only one," he added, stroking the cat in an absent way.

"Is Louis up?"

Michael nodded. "Polishing the woodwork on the third floor."

"I wonder how soon the captain will be back."

"Not before the end of the day, I should imagine. The court procedure will take time."

"We've got to get Mary out of here."

"I agree. But the two men are still on watch."

"Then we'll take her out right in front of them."

He blinked. "How?"

"I've been thinking about a way. I want you to take the horse-car to Rose's house. Ask her to come here in her carriage. And to wear something bright-with a shawl and a parasol or an umbrella. Also gloves-gloves are particularly important."

He smiled. "I think I see what you're driving at. It's risky-but audacious enough that it just might work."

"When you leave, use the front door. So you'll be clearly seen."

He nodded. "Do I have your permission for a slight detour on the way to Mrs. Ludwig's? I think it might be prudent if I spent a short time browsing around Paradise Square. Just to see whether there's any sign of Kathleen stirring up trouble."

"If you don't take too long at it," Amanda agreed. "Try to be back by noon."

Michael Boyle said, "I will." He dumped the white cat off his lap and strode out.

ii

The young Irishman returned about eleven thirty, rain-soaked, with a paper tucked under his arm. He found Amanda in the library.

The old Colt revolver lay on the mantel next to the tea bottle. He flung his cap and scarf on the chair by the hearth and walked to the desk, where Amanda had been vainly trying to examine some figures on the preceding year's profits of the Blackstone Company. Somehow the figures blurred and refused to make sense- She set the ledger aside with great relief. "Is Rose on the way?"

"She promised to be here inside of an hour-" He managed a grin. "She made a hell of a fuss when I showed up. I forgot she never rises until twelve."

"Oh, heavens, so did I. Well, I expect she'll forgive me when I explain the urgency of the situation. What did you learn in the Five Points?"

"Nothing. All quiet. A little too early in the day, I think. I may pop back later this afternoon. Provided I'm not needed here-"

He unfolded the paper in front of her.

"Stop-press edition. Out two hours early. Most of the news is a rehash of last week's. But there's one fresh item-"

He pointed out a feature story on the front page of the Journal of Commerce, a paper founded in 1825 by the Tappan brothers, who had followed a stern abolitionist policy. But the Tappans had later sold the Journal; its current management was pro-southern.

"Didn't imagine we could keep the affair quiet for long," Michael murmured. Pale, Amanda scanned the story.

FUGITIVE SLAVE IN MADISON SQUARE?.

Virginian lodges accusation against textile heiress; seeks warrant.

A warrant permitting search of the residense of Mrs. Amanda de la Gura, wealthy resident of No. 12 Madison Square, will be sought by Captain Virgil Tunworth of Lexington, Virginia, it was learned at eight this morning by the Journal reporter assigned to the court of Judge Develbess, Fugitive Slave Bill Commissioner for the city.

Captain Tunworth, who arrived in New York yesterday, alleges that operatives of the so-called Underground Railroad did cause to be stolen from him and delivered to the Madison Square address late last week one female slave who goes by the name Mary. The captain, who is stopping at the Astor House, informed this reporter that he anticipates Judge Develbess will issue a search warrant, together with another for the arrest of said escaped slave, late today or early tomorrow.

Tunworth charges that the fugitive was aided in her escape by a former Methodist pastor, one Jephtha Kent of Lexington. Kent is a relative of the lady who occupies the Madison Square manse, and has since fled the district from which Captain Tunworth traveled- Despondent, Amanda laid the paper aside with the rest of the piece unread.

Michael said softly, "We can't say it was unexpected."

"I know. I only wish they hadn't dragged in Jephtha's name-"

She sat staring at the column of type, wondering whether it was being read in a certain residence in Washington Square.

iii

"Take off my clothes?" Rose Ludwig exclaimed when Amanda met her in the front sitting room shortly after one. "I've received some odd propositions in my life, but that has to be the most-"

"Rose, don't say anything-not till you've read this." She held out the copy of the Journal of Commerce.

With a puzzled expression, Rose took the paper, the unlit Cuban cheroot in her hand momentarily forgotten.

While Rose studied the front page, Amanda went to the window. She could see both the man in the kiosk and her friend's carriage under the portico. The carriage driver looked miserable in the wind-blown rain.

Once more Amanda judged the angles and the distance. From the kiosk the watcher not only had a clear view of the carriage, but of the front door as well. Yet he was far enough away so that facial features would be indistinct. Provided Mary kept the parasol down, kept her dark skin hidden- A rustle of the paper turned her attention back to Rose. The other woman laid the Journal aside, her eyes grim. "Is it true, Amanda?"

"Yes. The girl's up on the third floor." Quickly, she described most of what had taken place since Mary's arrival.

"Then you're in serious trouble with the law," her friend said when she concluded.

"I know. But that's of less concern to me than getting Mary out of the house. When Tunworth produces his warrant, there's no way I can prevent him from seizing her. And I want her on that steamer for Canada tomorrow night! Rose"-she walked to her friend, laid a hand on her arm-"if you'll stay here until then, you can help Mary escape."

"How, for God's sake?"

"You were seen coming in- "By whom?"

Amanda led her to the window, pointed out the dim figure pacing in the kiosk. Rose peered through the rain-streaked glass. "Who is that?"

"Some fellow Tunworth hired to stand watch. There's another keeping an eye on the alley and the carriage house. The captain was shrewd enough to realize he couldn't get the warrant issued immediately-and that we might try to spirit Mary away. I'm sure you were observed when you arrived. If that man in the park sees the same dress and umbrella going out again, I don't think he'll realize he's been tricked-"

Rose's eyebrow hooked up. "Is that why Michael insisted I wear something like this-?" She touched the sleeve of her yellow velvet dress. "Which I must say is entirely inappropriate for the season and the time of day!"

"That's exactly it. I want Mary to stay at your house until about nine tomorrow evening. Then your driver can deliver her to the White Star pier on North River. Please, Rose!" Amanda pleaded. "I wouldn't ask if I could think of another way-"

"What am I supposed to do, loll in my pantalets until Wednesday morning? I was planning to do some shopping at the Lord and Taylor store this afternoon. And I have engagements tomorrow"-she sighed-"but of course I'll do it."

"Bless you! I should tell you one more thing. We might be in for some difficulty from another quarter. Louis-well, let's just say he got into a bit of trouble with one of the maids. I discharged her. Before she left, she threatened reprisals. I wouldn't take them seriously, except that she has an uncle who's cozy with Mr. Rynders, the Sixth Ward politician. It's possible he could send some of his gang friends to vandalize the house-"

Rose sighed a second time, louder. "When you stir up a stew, you do a thorough job of it."

"I'm not positive there'll be any trouble from Rynders. I only thought it was fair to warn you."

"Well," Rose said with an emphatic nod, "that's fair enough. Take me up to the girl and let's get her on her way."

Amanda hugged her friend, then hurried her out of the sitting room to the third floor.

iv