The Liberty Boys Running the Blockade | Page 4

think you had better go out that way. Time presses, and we had better go now."
The spy suddenly arose, started for the door, threw the chair in front of Dick and shouted:
"This boy is a British spy! Hold him while I go for the guard!"
Then he flew toward the door and was out of it. At once the men in the shop began surging toward Dick with evil looks on their faces, and some drawing ugly-looking knives.
"That is the cry of 'Stop, thief!' to draw attention from himself," said Dick. "My gentleman is a spy himself. I am Dick Slater, captain of the Liberty Boys. I think you may have heard of me. Don't be afraid. My lieutenant is at the other door."
Then, quickly pushing the chair aside Dick left by the door he had entered and then around to the alley. The spy had evidently thought that Dick was deceiving him, but as he went into the alley he saw Bob, who quickly caught him by the arm and said:
"Wait a moment. The captain will be out in a second and will want to see you. There is no such haste."
Then Dick came down the alley, and Bob said with a careless laugh and a quizzical expression:
"Here is the captain. I have his uniform, but he is the captain, just the same."
The spy got up, glared at Dick and said angrily:
"You are making a great fuss over nothing. I am not a spy, as you think. I am an attorney and have---"
"Why did you try to escape, why did you call me a spy, why did you change your clothes, why did you follow me into Frances tavern, why did you instruct your companion to follow me, if you are not a spy? Attorneys don't do these things."
The man turned sallow, smiled in a sickly fashion, and said:
"This was all to test you. General Putnam had his doubts as to your efficiency and wished me to put you to the---"
The boys laughed at this flimsy excuse, and Dick said shortly:
"You will go with us. I am well acquainted with General Putnam, who is in command in the city. You know that, of course. We will go to his quarters now."
The man suddenly thrust his hand into his pocket and withdrew a packet, which he tried to throw over a fence, but was prevented by Bob.
"You had better give that to me," he said, taking the packet and putting it in his own pocket.
"Come!" said Dick. "It is nearly sunset. If you attempt any more nonsense I shall call the guard. You know me, and you know why you are arrested, and you are simply trying to throw obstacles in my way and so make your escape."
The spy made no reply, and remained quiet for the rest of their way to the general's quarters. Leaving the prisoner under guard, Dick shortly saw the general himself and related what had occurred.
"H'm! spies in the city, eh?" muttered the veteran. "This is an important capture, Captain. I must compliment you on a very pretty piece of work. I shall have to see this man."
Dick had the packet which Bob had taken from the spy, and he gave it to the general, while the man was being sent for. Putnam looked it over and said:
"This proves conclusively that the man is a spy. You have the other one, you say, Captain?"
"Yes, in our camp. I can deliver him to-night or in the morning, as you please."
"I think it had better be to-night," shortly.
"Very well," and at that moment the spy was ushered into the general's presence, turning pale as he saw the veteran and realized what his fate would be. Dick then took his leave and he and Bob returned with all speed to the camp.
CHAPTER III.
-In the Stone House.
Reaching the camp, the boys were heartily welcomed by the Liberty Boys, who knew that something had happened when Ben and the rest came in with a prisoner and were eager to hear the rest.
"Did you get the other fellow, Captain?" asked Sam.
"Yes, and we left him holding an interview with General Putnam."
"In which he was likely to get the worst of the argument," put in Ben dryly.
At that moment a jolly-looking Irish boy up and said, giving a comical salute:
"Captain dear, supper do be ready an' the young leddies have come to camp, an' will ye ate thim foirst--Oi mane mate thim foirst an' ate supper afther, or phwativer?"
There was a laugh, and then two young very pretty young ladies rode up to the fire and were helped to dismount by Dick and Bob. The girls were their sisters and their sweethearts also, the sister of each being the sweetheart of the other, and were as constant companions as the boys themselves. They