They padded silently through Mr. and Mrs. Revere’s bedroom. It was empty. Filigree made sure his toenails didn’t click on the wooden floor. At the stairway, his ears and nose twitched, alert. He stayed on guard all the way downstairs. Frances’s stepmother sat at the table in the main room, holding Mr. Revere’s leather bag.
Frances darted behind the armchair. Filigree followed. He tried to breathe quietly. They waited for what seemed like a long time.
Finally the door opened. Mr. Revere was back. He strode into the room and walked over to Frances’s stepmother.
“It’s happening, Rachel,” he said. He didn’t sit down. “Warren says the Regulars are heading to Concord tonight to take our supplies.” “Regulars” was another name for Redcoats. “And they’re on their way to arrest Adams and Hancock. I’m going across the river and riding to Lexington to warn them. William Dawes is already on his way there. If one of us is caught, maybe the other will get through.”
Filigree felt Frances tense beside him. He pressed up against her. “And the signal . . . ?” Frances’s stepmother began.
Mr. Revere’s voice was grim. “Our friend Newman is on his way to the Old North Church to hang the lanterns. That will let our men know the Regulars are coming across the river. Our men will ride out to the towns and farms to warn everyone they can.” He put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Rachel . . . if I’m caught . . .”
“The Redcoats will be happy to hang the spy Paul Revere,” she finished. “So you’d best keep ahead of them.” She slung his leather bag over his shoulder.
Mr. Revere walked out into the night.
“Stay alive,” Frances’s stepmother whispered to the closed door. She shut the latch. Filigree saw her feet go by as she walked upstairs.
As soon as she was gone, Filigree sprang onto the armchair. Frances stood up. She was trembling. “Hang the spy Paul Revere! Oh, Filigree!” She bent down to bury her nose in his fur. He woofed in sympathy.
“I’m going after him!” Frances whispered. “I can warn him if anyone follows him. I’m so small, those Lobsterbacks won’t even see me.”
Me either, Filigree thought. He jumped down from the chair.
“Are you coming with me?” Frances asked.
Of course I am. Filigree was already running toward the door. The patriots would need all the help they could get.
Frances put on her shoes.
Filigree felt a twinge.
Take care of my girl, Mr. Revere had said that day he brought Filigree home. I’m trusting you.
Maybe she shouldn’t go.
But to protect Frances, Filigree had to protect the patriots. Especially her father. Besides, he knew that Frances would go no matter what. If she went, he was going with her.
Frances reached up and unlatched the door so slowly, it didn’t make any noise. She opened the door a crack. Filigree nudged it farther so they could both slip through. They stepped outside together.
They had only taken a few steps when a booming voice stopped them.
“What are you doing here?” it demanded.
Filigree’s left front paw froze in midair.
He looked way, way up. Right into the face of General Gage, leader of the Redcoat army.