She put her ear to the keyhole and--doubtless, with a fast beating heart--waited there, listening intently for the sound of the officers' voices.
"For a few moments all was silence; then it was broken by a single voice reading aloud an order from Sir William Howe for the troops to march out of the city the next night and make an attack upon Washington's camp at Whitemarsh.
"Lydia waited to hear no more, for that was sufficient, and it would have been dangerous indeed for her to be caught there.
"She hastened back to her own room and again threw herself on the bed; but not to sleep, as you may well imagine.
"Presently the opening and shutting of doors told her that the visitors of the adjutant-general were taking their departure; then there was a rap on her door.

But she did not answer it.

It was repeated, but still she did not move or speak; but at the third knock she rose, went to the door, and found the adjutant-general there.
"He informed her that his friends had gone and she might now close her house for the night.
"She did so, then lay down again, but not to sleep.

She lay thinking of the momentous secret she had just learned, considering how she might help to avert the threatened danger to the patriot army, and asking help and guidance from her heavenly Father.
"Her prayer was heard; she laid her plans, then at early dawn arose.
Waking her husband she told him flour was wanted for the family and she must go immediately to the mill at Frankford for it.

Then taking a bag to carry it in, she started at once on foot.
"At General Howe's headquarters she obtained a passport to leave the city.
"She had a five miles' walk to Frankford, where she left her bag at the mill, and hurried on toward the American camp to deliver her tidings.
"It was still quite early, but before reaching the camp she met an American officer, Lieutenant Craig, whom Washington had sent out to seek information in regard to the doings of the enemy.
"Lydia quickly told him her story, then hastened back to the mill for her bag of flour and hurried home with it." "Mamma," exclaimed Walter, "how could she carry anything so big and heavy ?" "Perhaps it was but a small bag," returned his mother, with a smile.