n the lining and the seams!

VOICE

Yes, sir. [_sound of tearing cloth_]

HALE

Why am I suffering this indignity?

DREW

Anything there?

VOICE

Not a thing, sir.

DREW

Strip him--tear every piece of clothing to pieces!

VOICE

Aye, aye, sir.

HALE

I trust this is giving you some pleasure.

DREW

We're enjoying ourselves, aren't we, boys?

ALL

Aye, aye, sir.

VOICE

Here, sir--a piece o' paper.

DREW

Let's see it--ha--receipt for lodgings. Is that the best you can do?

VOICE

That's all there is, sir.

HALE

Perhaps, sir, now that you have ruined my clothes, you'll let me go.

DREW

I will not! I'll find where you've hidden your notes if I have to rip
your skin off!

HALE

I am helpless, sir. But you must be satisfied that I have nothing on
me. Can't you conclude your sport and let me go?

DREW

Look here, men--what about his boots?

VOICE

Nothing in them, sir.

DREW

He was having them resoled the other day! Ho, I'll wager that's where
they are! Give me your knife, Bos'n!

VOICE

Here you are, sir.

DREW

Hm! There--ah, ha! I thought so! Papers--papers--I thought as
much--bring the light nearer! Hm--what's this? Some foreign tongue--Ah!
Latin. Who would have expected a rebel to know Latin?

HALE

I am a schoolmaster, sir.

DREW

Aye, and a spy as well--as these notes prove.

HALE

Can you read them?

DREW

My Latin is a little rusty, but I can make out the tenor of them.
Hm--disposition of troops--probable movements of army--yes, that will
do! What have you to say to that, my fine rebel?

HALE

Nothing.

DREW

You don't need to. We've evidence enough to hang you as it is. Bring
him along, men! [_mob noise_]

ANNOUNCER

So Hale was taken aboard the _Halifax_ and delivered late the same
night to General Howe, who, without the formality of a trial, turned
him over to the Provost Marshal, William Cunningham, for execution the
next day.

Our next scene is in the apple orchard of the Beekman estate on
Manhattan. Hale has been marched out for his execution. He is standing
under guard, near the tent of Captain John Montressor, who, as our
scene opens, comes out of his tent, sees Hale, and speaks to him.

MONTRESSOR

Sir, I regret to see such a fine appearing young man in this situation.

HALE

You are kind to say so, sir.

MONTRESSOR

May I ask your name and rank?

HALE

I am Captain Nathan Hale, of the Colonial army.