CHAPTER 1

Later that day ...

Charles was tired when he arrived home early that evening. It was dinnertime, around 6:00 p.m. Beth tried to have dinner by then, but she never knew when her husband would arrive home. She knew his missions were top secret. Beth didn't ask, but she was curious what he did during his absences. All she knew was that he worked for a branch of the government and everything was kept secretive.

Beth's fear came from rumors she heard as a child. She had heard that her father had affairs on her mother. Back then, there was nothing much the wife could do for infidelity. She usually tolerated his disloyalty and kept her mouth shut. Still, Charles was a nice-looking young man with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. He was fairly tall and slim with a medium complexion. He could attract the attention of women if he wanted to. She had to trust her husband that he wasn't having an affair. Trust was a strong part of their marriage. It was the foundation that held their family together.

Charles entered the house. He concealed the revolver in his coat pocket. The two older children, Timothy and Lawrence, were downstairs in the dining room doing their homework for the next school day. They attended a local school a few blocks away from their home. The youngest child Stephen was in the kitchen with Beth.

Beth eyed Charles in the hallway. "I've wondered when you were coming, my husband," Beth said.

"I have returned. Is dinner ready?" he asked. Charles sounded sort of grumpy.

"Tired? Was it a long trip?" she asked.

"You know I can not tell you any information," Charles replied. "Just tired from riding today. I will be leaving in the early morning."

"Leaving!" exclaimed Beth. "You just got home the other day from a mission."

"This can't wait. I am needed tomorrow evening somewhere," replied Charles.

"Beth, we have been all through this many times before. The wages I make affords us this home and gives the boys luxuries they wouldn't have otherwise. My father was quite poor when he came to America. He and my mother didn't have two cents to rub together when they married. Appreciate what you have."

Beth looked at her husband with her baby blue eyes and smiled. "I do appreciate all you have given me and the children. We are most comfortable, but I would rather see you more often," she said.

Charles took hold of Beth's right hand. "My love, there is no other woman, but you. You have to trust me on that. I am endeared to only you, my darling," he said.

"Then why all this secrecy? Can't you tell me anything?" she asked.

"Only that it is at top source. If I tell you anymore, your and the boys' lives would be in danger," Charles replied.

"Do you know how long you will be gone this time?" Beth asked.

"No, if it gets involved, it may take awhile," replied Charles.

Beth looked at her husband. She wondered how they ever had children. Charles was home only during short periods of time. She knew his work was important to him, but she missed him during his absences from home.

"You used to love to write and publish. Couldn't you get your editor's job back?" Beth asked.

Charles had worked as an editor for the town's newspaper, The Patriot. It was a desk job with scheduled hours, five days a week, something Charles hated; he didn't like structured hours and routine.

"I haven't had that job in over ten years. Besides, I only did it two years after we married. This job pays more," Charles said.

"I know it does, but it allowed you to come home everyday." Beth responded.

"That was before Timothy was born," Charles replied. Charles then changed the subject. "I'm starving. What is for dinner?"

"Your favorite – roasted duck with carrots and potatoes. I have mincemeat pie for dessert," Beth said. Beth brought the roasted duck into the dinning room. She placed the meal on the table. She asked the boys to remove their books off the table and prepare for dinner. She placed the youngest child next to her seat to help him fix his plate.

"Sounds delicious, I could eat a bear right now," Charles said. He then asked the family to bow their heads and pray. Charles was a religious man. He believed in God and faith. Even little Stephen bowed his head and folded his little hands in prayer. After the prayer, Charles stood up to cut the duck. Each person got a slice. Beth helped Stephen with his slice. She scooped him a spoonful of carrots and potatoes. There was buttered bread served, as well. Charles ate to his heart's content. Beth was not only quite pretty, she was an excellent cook.

After dinner, Beth cleaned the dishes as Charles played with his son Stephen. Timothy and Lawrence finished their homework and went upstairs to prepare for bedtime. Usually they were in bed by 8:00 p.m. on a school night.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Beth took Stephen upstairs to change him for bedtime. She was tired and decided to change for bedtime and then go to bed. Sometimes, she joined Charles downstairs in front of the fireplace. They would hold hands or cuddle on the sofa. At other times, they would drink a glass of brandy together. Not tonight, Beth was tired and somewhat disturbed by Charles' leaving again.

Charles remained downstairs. There, while everyone else was upstairs, he sat down in the living room chair near the fireplace. The lamp on the table allowed him to read the fine print. He then carefully unraveled the papers Mr. Fortson gave him earlier today. Charles's identity was changed to Sir Albert Newburg, a descendant from the royal family of Great Britain. His home was a mansion in Virginia. Charles would have to practice a Virginia accent, different from his New York dialect. Charles would check into the inn downtown in Georgetown by evening. Once checked in, he would settle in for the night. The next morning, however, he would be going over to the State House (now known as Capitol Hill) to start his investigation. There would be other Federal agents there to assist him. His coach driver would check into another inn to not look conspicuous. They would meet up later on.

Charles read more information and the details known. He feared Beth would come downstairs any minute. He kept his eyes glued to the papers, yet looked up at the staircase every once in a while. Finally, he finished reading. He took the papers to the fireplace, where a fire was ignited. He placed the papers down on the burning logs. He watched the papers burn up in flames. He was not allowed to take notes from the information. Destroying the papers not only protected them from getting into the wrong hands, it kept his family safe. The less they knew, the better and safer they were.

It was already past 9:00 p.m. Charles went upstairs to the master bedroom. He lit the lamp by his bedside. Beth was already in bed asleep. How peaceful she looked. Being as quiet as he could, Charles got out his traveler's bag and packed for his stay in Georgetown. He packed clothes for a week. He wasn't sure how long he would be there. He hoped it wasn't for long.

Charles changed into his nightclothes and slid into bed beside Beth. How pretty she looked. Beth was a living beauty in her time with a 23-inch waistline. She was still lovely - only the few pounds added to the waistline with the births of three babies. Her light brown hair extended down the length of her back and she had the softest blue eyes. They seemed to stare at you as if looking straight through you. She had fair skin that was radiant. Her children were good-looking too. Timothy and Stephen had the darker features, like Charles. Lawrence had the lighter features, like Beth.

Charles turned off the lamp beside his bed. He fell asleep once his head hit the pillow. He would get a good night's sleep tonight. Morning would be here before he knew it. The thought of his trip to Georgetown tomorrow was the last thing on his mind just before he fell asleep.

The next morning came early. Even the rooster hadn't crowed yet. Dawn would be arriving within the hour. Charles woke up suddenly. He had no idea what time it was, but he needed to get up. He turned on the lamp next to him. He reached for his pocket watch that he put on the table last night. It was after 4:30 a.m. He had an hour to get ready and then start heading for the depot. It was about six blocks away. Normally, he could walk to it in fifteen minutes.

Beth usually awoke around 6:00 a.m. to get the children ready for school. Timothy and Lawrence left the house at 7:30 a.m. to walk to school, three to four blocks away. It took them ten minutes. On harsh days, Beth could drive them by coach. Children attended school at age six through adolescence. The school operated from 7:45 a.m. until after noontime. Some students would drop out of school to work on their family's farm or in their business. Once school was completed, the student usually entered an apprenticeship after graduation. Stephen stayed home with Beth during the day. Preschool and kindergarten were unheard of then.

Charles dressed quickly and grabbed his traveling bag. He looked at Beth. He needed to write her a note before he left. He kissed her on the cheek and went downstairs and found a tea kettle. He warmed some water on the fire. He made some hot tea this morning. He made some cream of wheat this morning. Gulping down the cup of hot tea and cream of wheat, he then sliced a piece of bread. He could eat it on the way to the depot. He left the house shortly before 5:45 a.m.

Charles walked the distance to the depot. He made sure he wasn't being followed. With his training, he could tell if someone were watching him. It was cold this late February. There was still snow on the ground from a heavy snow a few days ago. He held tightly to his coat. His gloves provided warmth to his hands. He wore a hat to shield his head and face against the cold. He carried the traveler's bag in one hand, while eating the slice of bread in the other. Often, he didn't have time to eat and would miss meals. He ate when he could, a hazard to his job.

Charles continued walking until he saw the depot up ahead on the street. Charles was getting cold. His boots provided little warmth on the cold snowy ground. As Charles got closer to the depot, he saw a carriage parked in the corner. He looked at his pocket watch. He had one minute until 6:00 a.m. Charles approached the carriage and looked at the coach driver. He uttered a password that only he and the coach driver would know. "Norwell 1775," Charles said, as the driver nodded. He then handed the coach driver his traveler's bag, opened the door and climbed into the buggy. At 6:00 a.m. on the dot, they were on their way to Georgetown.

How the passwords got started, Charles never knew. They were secret passwords given to him to be heard only by other Federal officials. Charles used them only with government officials in his division. There were sixteen men that worked under him, mostly in searching and tracking spies. Charles had interesting cases, from domestic espionage to international spies. One such case he investigated had to do with the Swamp Fox in South Carolina. But the Swamp Fox was proven to be an American hero in the Patriot movement, defending his countrymen against the British.

The trip to Georgetown would take 320 miles, an all-day trip. There would be two stops along the way to rest and water the horses. The buggy would stop 10 miles past New York City to eat lunch. It was halfway at that point. Charles hoped that they would get there by this evening.

Meanwhile, Beth woke up at her usual time on the weekdays. It was 6:00 a.m. She needed to get Timothy and Lawrence up to dress for school. They could dress themselves. Stephen would sleep for another hour or so. Beth then dressed herself and made her way downstairs. She saw that her husband had heated a pot of hot water and made hot tea this morning. He had made a bowl of cream of wheat also. She wished she could have said goodbye to him before he left. She decided to make cream of wheat for her two sons. She would eat later after cleaning upstairs and waking Stephen up. As her other sons came downstairs, she made sure they had their books to take with them. As they ate breakfast, Beth went back upstairs to make up her bed. As she got closer to the bed, she saw an envelope lying on Charles' pillow. It was addressed to her. She opened the envelope. Inside, was a neat handwritten note. My Dearest Beth, my heart has always been only for you. I love you and the boys very much. During my absence, I want you to buy the prettiest dress as we will go dancing once I return. I want to show you off, my love. With fondest wishes and love, your Charles forever.

Beth sniffled as she read the note. She held it close to her heart. She knew Charles loved her and she felt guilty when she questioned his loyalty to her. She made up her bed and the bed her two older sons shared. She then went downstairs. Timothy and Lawrence were finished eating. They put on their coats, hats and gloves. She got them off to school shortly before 7:30 a.m. She then went upstairs to wake Stephen. She helped him dress and took him downstairs. She served him breakfast and ate herself.

As Beth was cleaning up the kitchen, she decided to sit down and write a letter to her mother. Her mother and father lived in Baltimore, Maryland. They had moved from upper state New York after Beth and Charles had married. Charles and Beth met at a dance over thirteen years ago. Charles was attending the dance with a friend and Beth had another admirer back then. One look at Charles and she knew that he was the one she wanted. Charles was dazed with her loveliness. Beth was quite a looker. They were both 18 years old then. Charles attended college and Beth was intrigued with the classical arts.

Charles and Beth were both good dancers. They would dance the night away. Beth was swept off her feet and Charles was charmed by her beauty. Within a year, they fell in love and were soon married. The couple waited three years to have their first child. Charles changed jobs the year before Timothy was born to make enough to raise his growing family.

Beth finished the letter, put it in the envelope and sealed it. She would find a courier to mail it. She soon finished cleaning the house and making up Stephen's small bed upstairs. The boys would be home from school just after noontime.

At noontime, the carriage had stopped. The horses were watered and rested while Charles went inside the restaurant to eat. Dinner may become late tonight, so he needed to eat a good lunch. He ordered roast chicken and an assortment of vegetables. He drank a cup of coffee with lemon pie for dessert. After a hearty meal, he got back on the carriage. It would be another six hours at least. There would be another stop on the way.

Charles had thoughts of his trip to Georgetown. He couldn't write anything down. Any notes he made had to be destroyed. He just didn't want to take the chance of them falling into enemy's hands. He couldn't even write Beth that he made it okay to his destination as the location could be postmarked and traced. He recalled what Mr. Fortson said yesterday. If there were a spy, he may be tied up in Georgetown much longer than originally thought.

This wasn't Charles' first trip to Georgetown, Maryland. It was on the northwestern tip of what now is known as the modern Washington, D.C. The State Capitol had not been established yet. It was not founded until July 1790 by President George Washington.

There was another stop later that afternoon. They were about 60 miles away from Georgetown. They had two more hours to go. It was too early for dinnertime, but Charles got out and walked around for a few minutes. Finally, around 7:00 p.m. that evening, the carriage arrived in front of the inn. Charles gathered his traveler's bag and nodded to the coach driver. He would check into the inn and find a good restaurant to eat dinner. He was hungry by now.

Charles was in luck as there was a restaurant next door to the inn. He checked in and went upstairs to his room to freshen up. He put the traveler's bag on the bed, but decided to unpack after dinner. Within a few minutes, he went back downstairs. He walked to the restaurant next door. He ordered lamb chops, English peas and Irish potatoes. He drank a glass of sherry with his meal. He ordered cherry pie for dessert.

Once satisfied from eating a full meal, Charles rubbed his bloated stomach. He walked back to the inn. Once back in his room, he unpacked his clothes and changed into his nightclothes. Charles had a hard time going to sleep that night. He was away from Beth, his beloved - away from his family and his home. He closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day, but he hoped he would find out what was going on, once and for all. Within an hour, sleep finally came and he drifted off to sleep.