e spoke like an honest man, and yet on the instant there came to my
mind the question as to whether he had any traitorous intent in thus
advising us, after having much the same as said we could not hope to
succeed in our purpose.

CHAPTER XIII

GRAVE DOUBTS

Master Lord was evidently of the opinion that we could do no better than
remain where we were until it should become possible for him to show us
whereby we might aid Silas, and I wondered much that he spoke in such a
strain, after having declared that the force of lobster backs at the
Bridewell was so large that we had no hope of getting at the lad even to
give him a cheering word.

This much I ventured to remark, glancing meanwhile at Hiram in order to
learn, if possible, what he might think of the matter, for it was come
to my mind that our comrade, who was ever eager to be up and doing, had
turned about strangely, as if content to spend any number of days in
that underground hiding-place.

"There is such a thing as a fortunate accident," Master Lord replied
gravely, "and in this struggle against the king we of the colonies who
are weak in numbers as compared with the force he can bring against us,
must ever be on the alert for some turn in affairs which will work to
our advantage. It is true that at present there are so many lobster
backs on duty at the Bridewell that you cannot hope to come at your
comrade; but who shall say how soon the number of sentinels there may be
lessened?"

"Have you enough influence among the lovers of the king to succeed in
getting inside the Bridewell?" Hiram asked in a placid tone, as if the
matter was of but little importance to him, and I fancied Master Lord
replied to the question eagerly, as if anxious we should have full faith
in him, when if he had been a true man, so it seemed to me, there would
have been no question in his mind as to the possibility of our doubting
his intentions:

"I believe before many days have passed, aye, perhaps by to-morrow, I
may be able to drop a hint to the lad that you are here in search of
him."

"On what pretext could you get inside that portion of the Bridewell
where the prisoners who were taken at Breed's hill are confined?" Hiram
asked in the same quiet, indifferent tone.

"There are many people in Boston, and especially among the Tories, who
are curious to see these so-called rebels; some in order to learn if
perchance they may have acquaintances among them, and others to