Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-23
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY,

will soon see who they have got to contend
with"
:" So they will" SAID Hopkins, giving Mark
look of peculiar meaning.
| The potations ended, the landlord removed
the glasses and took his accustomed seat by the
fire. place.
" suppose said Mark after pause, " that
you are always ready and willing to do what
lies in your power to promote the cause of King
George in these colonies %
Always, sir. I've !hsd M, ,life threatened
by some of the Wings near here, who belong to
a gang of men under the command of Mark
Lincoln, because persisted in harboring His
Majesty's followers
" AS long as you are conscious Of doing right,
do not allow their threats to intimidate you.-
We came here tonight in hopes Of finding two
men with whom we have business"
"Who were they, sir?' asked the landlord
starting
81 cannot give you their Names My Ser
geant will explain the nature of our business. .
"To begin with said Hopkins, swe have
good reason to believe that you have in your
house two men who are pretended friends to the
King
"Snpposing this is true, sir?"
i" We merely wished to know if we were
right"
"No, sir, you are not. There are no such
men here, as you speak Of"
" You are aware, sir, Of the injury you do
to the cause by harboring enemies of the
King?"
g | am, sir. | would not for moment
even, keep his enemies beneath my roof"
Then the two men who are now in your
house are His Majesty subjects, presume? v
" said not that there were any here"
" To show you that we are correct in regard
to the men you would conceal we will tell you
who they are. The one is Il follower of Mark
Lincoln, while the taller of the two is Colo
mel in Washington's Guard,' and Hopkins
went on to describe their looks and appearance
g Arc you sure of this?" exclaimed Harding
in evident concern
"Sure There's not chance of mistake. >
" For what purpose have they stopped here
at this time of the night? "
"They are spies-one acting in that capacity
for Lincoln, the other for Washington"
'' Gentlemen, if this is true, regret that my
house has been their hidins-placs egep fsr tk'
few hours they have been here
Are you willing to assist us in whatever
we propose then? " asked Mark.
' To the extent of my ability, sir But say
the word, and they shall leave the Inn, or, ]
. you wish it, we can easily secure them
"We do not wish to capture them; nor ye
to let them leave.''
"What then ? " asked the Inn-keeper.
In what room are they quartered 7"
g In one which joins the one above ths?"
" Is there any means by which we can hea
their conversation, and yet not let them b
aware Of our presence?"
Il think you might, sir. There is passag
between the two rooms in which you might Sc
crete yourself and hear whatever they say, a
there is a large crevce near the centre of tn
door, and several smaller ones in the partition.
1.-The very thing for our purposes, sir. !"
There is few shiners,' said the Scout
slipping some gold pieces into Harding's hand
81 will show you the way but what do
out of pure love to the King. do not wis
> for your gold sir
81 see that your motives are pure, but sine
, you will not take pay for the valuable informa
tion you have afforded us, pray accept it as
gift"
5 Thank you, SIR said Harding, pocketin
the gold. This way-but stay, have nc
yet asked your names"
= "Mr. Harding, said the Scout, Z" allow n
g to present you to Col. Vaughn, a servant
Y His Majesty, George the Third.
Sergeant Briggs SIR said Mark as
- bowed stifly and inclined his head towards Il
O Scout.
@ Mark, it Is to be confessed, felt some remor
of conscience at the deception he had used b
L he thought the end to be gained justified t
means taken to obtain it.
10 " Before W co. said Mark in stern tor
e g let me caution you that your life depends
d your keeping our visit here secret. VIII
V you return to the bar-room close your doc
r and put out your fires, so that you may ha
a no more visitors tonight
(" 1t shall be as you wish sir"
10 Mark and the Scout proceeded to reno
re their heavy boots; the former concealing FRI
ID Harding's view the weapons his own contain'
it This done, they signfed to their host tn
readiness to accompany him to the passage
q had mentioned With cautious steps they
il cendad the stairs, and at last stood in the ro
adjoining the one where the plotters were
gagged in conversation. Harding pointed ,
IN the passage, and then handed the lantern
Mark.
w "Wait moment" said Mark, as he v
,,r about to descend the stairs. If we do
: come down in an hour you will come to
~ with another light. We may be obliged to
;. tinguish this one.
,os 81 will be careful to remember, sir.
Ia "See that you do, and also our other dil
tions.''
led We're in luck, " said Hopkins &a wins
ne. after the landlord had gone.
re. So we are. And now lets ensconsce q
selves in this passage"
Tx Shading the light SO that its rays might
penetrate the creyices, Mark and the Scout
ng tered the passage and listened attentiyely
the purport of any conversation which mi