A new slant on the American Revolution, this is the story of a young officer taken prisoner by the British while on a secret mission to his French allies, and how he captivates—and hoodwinks—the charming family of redcoats with whom he is billeted.

Major Randall E. Baltimore, a true R.E.B. in name as well as allegiance, would have long since been out of the clutches of his captors had he not promised to keep an eye out on his best friend, Timothy Wingate. Tim was a natural bungler, at crucial moments prone to let out a hearty sneeze or stumble over a watchdog's kennel. Now Tim, injured from his last fiasco, was locked up at Gatwick Hall, and the Reb was in solitary confinement at a nearby estate under the stern eye of Col. Laurence Darrington, who had hated all Americans since the unfortunate affair involving his good friend, Major André.

The four young Darringtons liked having a dangerous prisoner in the house. Soon, despite Uncle Laurence's warnings, they were making friends with the handsome young officer during his daily exercise periods. When the Reb became dangerously ill, Mrs. Darrington, the kindest of women, nursed him back to health. Later, when the children's tutor left in a huff and Mama found giving lessons a tedious chore, the Reb naturally wanted to repay her kindness. His prowess as a teacher sprad to Gatwick Hall. Billy Gatwick was having trouble with his Latin; Johnny needed coaching in speech. The Reb's classes grew. Soon Billy was fighting ancient battles in excellent Latin prose: Balbus aedificavit murum, he penned in his composition book, along with other exploits of the at busy Roman. And Johnny could recite "Fair stood the wind—" almost as well as the Darrington children.

Things were pleasant for the Reb, but he wasn't helping General Washington win the war. Would he ever get back to his regiment? Then a mischievous wax doll named Patty—a rebel herself—stepped into the picture.

From the dust jacket