Sarah was uncomfortable with the idea of eavesdropping on Aunt Charity's and Uncle Ethan's private conversation, but she was anxious to hear what her uncle had to say about their tutor, Gabrielle Gordon."...spends most of her evenings in Christiana Campbell's Tavern listening to the men talk about the Revolution," he was saying as Sarah dropped silently beside Abigail beneath the open window. His words were as clear as though they were in the room with them. "We've suspected her for a while, but she's very clever. We haven't been able to catch her passing on what she hears to her British contact, whoever it is. Most likely it's the infamous 'Demon Devon' who eludes our every trap! If only I could get my hands on him!""But, Ethan, she's so gracious, so genteel, so....""So treacherous, Charity," he finished for her. "You heard Sarah say she's interested in me. I'm telling you, she only tutors our children to gain information about my activities and the action of the colonial army....

Ma's scream went straight to Sarah's heart. She ran to a hole in the hollow tree beside her brother Luke and saw Ma come running out of the cabin door behind two Indians who were scattering feathers all over the yard from the feather quilts. Another Indian jumped out the door right behind Ma.Ma's eyes were glazed with fear and her hair had come down from its neat tuck. Sarah saw an Indian grab her by the hair and whirl her around. The other Indians were whooping and laughing inside the cabin.Sarah shut her eyes. "God, please don't let him do it!" she prayed silently. "Please don't let him!"But God hadn't answered her prayers to stay in their cozy brick house nestled in its green valley near Miller's Forks, Virginia, leaving eleven-year-old Sarah no choice but to come with her family to this untamed wilderness where harsh living conditions and constant dangers surrounded them. Could she trust God now to answer her desperate prayer for Ma's life?This and other...

Back in Williamsburg to continue her education, Sarah Moore discovers there is much more to learn in Virginia's capital city than reading, writing, arithmetic, and the social graces taught by their mousy new tutor.For instance, why are there lights that come and go in the little brown house on Waller Street where their former tutor ran a millinery shop? Hasn't the house has been empty since Gabrielle Gordon was expelled from the colonies for spying for the British? And why on earth did her Uncle Ethan, who hates slavery, buy three slaves at the slave auction on the steps of the Raleigh Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street? And what do Governor Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and her best friend Marcus, the governor's gardener, have to do with it? Most puzzling of all, what is the meaning of the mysterious code "John 3:19" she keeps hearing and its whispered response: "Darkness to light"?"Why can't you be content to embroider pillowcases, Sarah?" her exasperated uncle asks wearily...