Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/131

118 "and for that you should make allowance, knowing the excitement of the moment."

Here Master Lamb interposed.

"There has been no show of a spy since friend Dean and I came into the house, and, thus, the situation is the same as during your first visit. Both sides are willing to admit that words were used which had better have been left unsaid, therefore what is to prevent your company from making a search now, examining carefully every portion of the house; but having due regard to care lest anything he injured?"

"That is my idea," the silversmith added, wiping the perspiration from his forehead which had been brought out by mental anxiety rather than heat. "I hope most fervently you may find that for which you seek, even though it be in my house, and all of you know full well that if I discovered a British spy on these premises, or anywhere else, I would hale him before the officers of the law without delay."

"True for you, Master Dean!" some one in the front hall shouted, for by this time the crowd extended, in a densely packed mass, from the living room to the street.

"We know you for a true patriot," another cried, "and never meant to suggest that you would harbor the enemies of your country, let alone a dirty spy!"