Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/130

Rh wanted to hear and see all that was going on, provided it could be done while he was out of his master's sight, and to this end he pushed the door open ever so little, which enabled the three to be unseen spectators of the scene.

"We have come to make a thorough search of this house. Master Dean," the leader of the mob said curtly, without showing the ordinary respect to which the silversmith's position in the community entitled him. "We are not satisfied with what was done here a short time ago, an' there are others in the city of the same mind. Harsh words won't drive us away, and if you stand on such high ground as when we were here last, an appeal will be made to the military authorities."

"You have no need to assume any such air with me," Master Dean said sharply, for the manner and tone of the speaker aroused his ire. "I am free to admit, as Master Lamb claims, that I spoke intemperately to you before; but at the time it seemed as if the situation demanded it. My house had been closed; all my family, including old Scip, must have been at Bowling Green when you started in chase of the spy. You had the building surrounded in such manner that a man could not have escaped, when I arrived, and yet it was your purpose to break down my door."

"Perhaps we were a little too free-spoken. Master Dean," the man said in conciliatory tone,