Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/104

Rh officer—Lieutenant Oakman of the Forth-fourth foot, he said—with children at home no older than us two—such a pleasant gentleman!"

"Then a British spy has actually been in this house, and I was telling a tissue of lies to those men—those honest men whom I berated as rogues! And I claim to be a staunch Whig! I am foresworn! disgraced!"

"Tut, tut, friend Dean," Master Lamb said soothingly. "You spoke only as you believed, and surely no man can accuse you of wittingly telling that which is false. I do not see that any shadow of blame may be attached to you; but why did not the children explain all this at the outset?"

"Dorothy tried to do so, sir; but first her mother wouldn't allow it, and then Master Dean threatened punishment if the poor thing spoke again."

"True, true," the silversmith said with a groan. "I remember now that she did try to have speech with me; but my anger against those honest men whom I called rogues, was so great that I could not listen. Tell me, child, did the spy go out by the street door when he left?"

"No, sir, because he hasn't gone yet."

"Hasn't gone!" Master Dean echoed, staring wildly first at Sarah and then at Dorothy. "Do you mean to say that he—a British spy, was in