Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/278

262 "Well, what if I did? What of it, anyway?" retorted Claudius Brown.

"That will be for Sir Henry to say. Why did you do it?"

"He would n't tell where th' letter was. We were n't goin' t' do more'n twist him a little. We should n't 'a' hurt him. We wanted t' make him own up." The leader's tones and manner had changed, and it was evident that he had no desire to increase the suspicions or anger of the officer.

"What letter?" demanded the lieutenant.

"The letter this man was carryin' t' General Clinton."

"General Clinton?" exclaimed the lieutenant in manifest surprise.

"Th' rebel gen'ral, not Sir Henry."

"Oh, yes, I see. Are you the express? Has this man told the truth?" said the lieutenant to Robert.

"Yes, sir, I suppose he has," replied Robert, who was convinced that his better course would be not to attempt to conceal his identity.

"You don't look like very much of an express," said the lieutenant, smiling dryly as he glanced at the young man's tattered garments.

"I did n't look this way three hours ago."