ANNOUNCER
Our next scene is a few days later. It is evening. Darkness is just falling. Mrs. Chichester, the keeper of the Huntington Tavern, is bustling about her kitchen, when Lieutenant Drew enters the back door.
DREW
Good evening, Mrs. Chichester.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Good evenin' to ye, Lieutenant Drew. And what are ye doin' comin' into my kitchen, I'd like to know?
DREW
Your tavern room's crowded, and I thought perhaps you'd serve me here.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Indeed, I'll do nothing of the kind. There's room enough in the tavern room.
DREW
But I'll have no chance to talk to you out there. And I'd as soon not eat as be deprived of your company.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Go along with ye! Come on out here into the tavern room or ye'll not git a bite to eat.
DREW
Your word is law—I can only obey.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Through this door—here.
DREW
Oh, very well—wait—
MRS. CHICHESTER
Now what's the matter?
DREW
Close the door, Mrs. Chichester! Did you take particular notice of the man sitting alone in the corner?
MRS. CHICHESTER
The nice-lookin' young feller in the brown suit?
DREW
That's the one. Do you know him?
MRS. CHICHESTER
Never set eyes on him before.
DREW
Then he's not from Huntington.
MRS. CHICHESTER
He is not! I know every young blood hereabouts. An' he's not a native here, I kin warrant ye that.
DREW
I have it!
MRS. CHICHESTER
What—don't scare a body to death! What have ye got?
DREW
I know where I've seen him! He's a rebel.
MRS. CHICHESTER
A rebel! Indeed! In my tavern? I'll go throw him out!
DREW
No! No! We must make certain first. But I think he's an officer in the rebel army. Some months ago I was captured near Boston. I escaped later. But while I was a prisoner, I saw this fellow—unless I'm much mistaken. I saw him again the other day in Jamaica, at the shoemaker's; and now—look at him—here through the crack in the door!
MRS. CHICHESTER
He's lookin' fer somethin'—out the winder.
DREW
He's watching the shore of the cove!
MRS. CHICHESTER
Lookin' fer a boat to fetch him away, I'll warrant ye!
DREW
Exactly! Now, Mrs. Chichester, let's set a trap for him. Will you help me?
MRS. CHICHESTER
I will that! A rebel—and like as not a spy—in my tavern!
DREW
Go in to him, engage him in conversation, then look out the window and remark that you see a small boat landing.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Aye, I'll do it.
DREW
If he starts up, I'll know he's my man.
MRS. CHICHESTER
And then?
DREW
Tell him you're mistaken. The darkness deluded you.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Yes?
DREW
A small boat from my ship, the Halifax, is waiting for me round the point. I'll bring it around with my crew and we'll apprehend him.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Good. Wait here—I'll go in now. [door opens, laughter and talk swell up]
MRS. CHICHESTER
I hope, sir, ye found the roast beef to yer liking.
HALE
Yes, thank you, madam.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Can I help ye to anything else, sir?
HALE
I think not, thank you.
MRS. CHICHESTER
I'm sorry we have such poor fare, sir, but the times are hard, what with the comin' and goin' of the troops; and the rebels cleaned out the place when they were here.
HALE
I've fared very well, Madam.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Oh look—there in the cove! D'ye see a small boat comin' into shore? I wonder what it can be doin' here?
HALE
Oh, indeed! I'm afraid I'll have to go, Madam! Let me pay my reckoning.
MRS. CHICHESTER
There—I guess my eyes deceived me. It's not a boat at all.
HALE
Ah!
MRS. CHICHESTER
What was that you said? Your reckoning? But sir, you've had no sweetmeat. Come, sit down, I'll bring ye a bit o' pastry.
HALE
But—
MRS. CHICHESTER
I'll take it much amiss if ye refuse me.
HALE
Thank you, Madam—I'll wait—bring your sweetmeat.