Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/108

 CHAPTER VI

A DILEMMA

Lamb was no less alarmed than his host, and well might both the gentlemen, prominent members of the Sons of Liberty, feel decidedly ill at ease. Their daughters were guilty of that offense which they had been foremost in declaring was the greatest—short of absolute treason—, and the most serious against the struggling colonies, which could be committed.

The situation was aggravated by the intemperate words which Master Dean used when the citizens proposed to search his dwelling, in addition to which, as a matter of fact, he was solely responsible for the half-hearted examination of the premises. Had he welcomed those who claimed that a spy was concealed within, cheerfully giving them every opportunity to prove the truth or falsity of their statements, there could be no question but that Lieutenant Oakman would have been found.

"And it is I, Jacob Dean, secretary of the first patriotic association formed in this colony, who 95