around the building as large as it was yesterday?" Hiram
asked as if deeply interested, and having perfect confidence in what our
host might tell him.

"As nearly as could be judged there has been no change; but I heard on
the street that General Gage counts on advancing his outposts at Boston
Neck with the idea of pushing our people back from Roxbury, in which
case he will need all the men at his command, when I doubt not the guard
at the Bridewell will be lessened."

"Then your opinion is the same as when we last talked together?" and
Hiram urged Master Lord to partake more heartily of his own provisions.

"Aye, that seems to me wisest. In fact, there is nothing else for you to
do, and surely you are comfortable here as any four so-called rebels to
be found in the colony could be."

"That we are, sir, thanks to you, but for our having found this very
agreeable hiding-place, which is guarded by a man so deeply devoted to
the Cause, most-like we would be keeping our comrade company in the
Bridewell by this time," and one would have said from Hiram's tone that
he firmly believed Master Lord was the only person in all this world who
could have lent us aid. "We would be unwise as well as ungrateful should
there be any thought in our minds of doing other than as you advise."

There is no need why I repeat all which was said between Job Lord and
Hiram Griffin, for each was bent on deceiving the other, as it appeared
to me, and the words which were spoken amounted to nothing, so far as
our work of releasing Silas was concerned.

The result of it was, however, as I fancied, that Hiram succeeded in
making Master Lord believe we had the fullest confidence in him, and at
the same time was firmly convinced our host to be as thorough paced a
scoundrel as when we had talked with him previously.

"It must not be that I spend all my time with you lads, pleasant though
your company is," Master Lord said after having made a hearty meal, and
at the same time satisfied himself that we were not meditating any move
other than as he directed. "I must pick up all the information I can
concerning General Gage's intentions to advance on the outposts at the
Neck, in order that word be sent to Cambridge without delay; therefore
it is necessary I go abroad for a while."

"Do as you would if we were not here," Hiram replied, "and above all,
neglect not the work of the Cause in order to show your kindly
disposition toward us."

Then after