were yesterday,
letting my tongue run away with me. What I counted on saying was
something much after this fashion: If we could have a cloudy night, or,
better still, a stormy one, and if so be he understood to what end we
might be working; and in case we could get across the town after having
pulled him out, without being overhauled by lobster back or patrol, why
then there would be a chance, and such an one as would tempt me to make
a try for it, you lads helping, as a matter of course."

"And shall it be done to-night?" I cried eagerly, thinking Hiram was
minded to go about the task at once.

"If everything had happened as I've laid out, then we might start at
once; but according to the looks of things this night is likely to be a
fair one, while we are needing darkness. Pulling your comrade out from
the clutches of the Britishers isn't such an easy task that you can
begin it whenever you are feeling so disposed. Let him know what's in
our minds, and be ready to help himself when the time comes to suit us.
What about sending word to Cambridge?"

I told him all my conversation with Silas, and it appeared to please him
greatly that the lad was not willing to explain how he counted on going.

"He'll turn the trick all right? When you find a boy who can be cautious
to the extent of holding his tongue even among friends, it may be set
down as a fact that he won't come to grief, unless meeting with the
direst kind of an accident. Which reminds me that it wouldn't be a bad
idea for you to overlook the doings of that same Seth Jepson."

"What of him?" I cried in dismay, fearing to hear ill news.

"Nothing that I can be certain of, lad, save that I saw him chumming
with a couple of lobster backs down at the dock, and it strikes me they
were amazingly friendly with a lad of his size, for he's not one a man
would take to naturally--an honest man I mean."

"I will go after him at once; but there is little chance of learning
anything, for if he is minded to play the traitor he'll keep a still
tongue in his head when I overhaul him."

"Go your way, lad," Hiram said as if he pitied me because I fancied it
would be possible to convict a traitor out of his own mouth. "I am
minded to have speech with Silas Brownrigg before he sets off for
Cambridge, and am allowing there is a chance of finding him at home now
while it is yet day."

Then Hiram Griffin left me suddenly, as if it was dangerous to be seen
speaking with me on the