Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/334

318 telling you it was all a part of the trap. Her father had her and her mother come here just to find out if this old rascal was really handling the counterfeit money, as it was reported that he was doing."

"And that was how you happened to come?"

"Partly," replied the man. "We 're out after Claud Brown and his gang. Two hundred of us, men and boys, are scouring the country, and we 'll get him if we have to chase him right into the house where Sir Henry Clinton is, or follow him clear to Montauk Point. His work has got to stop, and stop right now!"

"Good! good!" exclaimed Robert eagerly. "He's the man that served me this trick," and as he spoke Robert looked down at his torn and cut garments.

"He did? What for?"

"Trying to find that letter you have in your hands." "Why did n't he find it, then?"

Robert explained how it was that his hat had escaped the search, and then said eagerly, "If you don't believe me you 'll at least send that letter right on to General Clinton, won't you?"