Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/102

Rh for being angry; but in these days, when the colony needs just such men as went to make up that mob, we, their leaders, must meet their lawlessness with a certain degree of forbearance."

"If they had been moved by a spirit of patriotism, no man could bear with their insults longer than I; but in this case, as I believe, the story of the spy was but a pretext to rob this house."

"A Britisher runned inter de square, suah, Massa Dean," Scipio said meekly. "I done saw him skinnin' 'roun' de corner ob dis berry house."

"It was probably the man who gave them a chase this morning," Master Lamb suggested. "The one whom Colonel Willett recognized."

"Doubtless; but it would have been impossible for him to get into my house. All the doors have been locked—"

Dorothy could remain silent no longer. With white face and trembling lips she interrupted her father by saying:

"The front door was left open after Scip went out, sir."

"I thought he locked it behind him," and Master Dean looked sternly at the old servant.

"I done lef' de key on de inside, Massa; but de young Missy turn' it, kase I couldn't git in when I come back."

"Did you lock it, my child?" the silversmith asked.