When he had finished the meal he changed places with Latham, while Ira sat with his eyes fixed upon the prisoner.
“The more I think the matter over,” Master Turnbull said after a brief silence, “the surer I am, lieutenant, that you have adopted my trade.”
“I have sowed no seed of discord against General Burgoyne,” Ira replied in a meaning tone.
“No, but you would have done it had such a step been possible, or necessary to your purpose. You know the old saying that ‘Everything is fair in love and war?’” was the smiling reply.
“Yes, I presume so,” Ira said slowly; “but it comes a trifle harder to admit it in this case, than in some others.”
“I understand,” the man replied with a show of sympathy; “but you have this to console you, that every charge made against the general was false.”
“That is something I readily acknowledge,” the lad said with a laugh; “but you are a dangerous fellow to be at liberty, Master Turnbull, and I shall be doing the Cause great service if I see that you are put where it is no longer possible to do any harm.”
“I might have known you would take that view of it,” the spy said gloomily, “and yet I have a proposition to make.”
“What is it?”
“I said you had taken up my trade,” he began, “for I venture to guess you have been up country as Ira Le Geyt. You steered clear of Colonel St. Leger’s headquarters, knowing there were those near-by who would recognize you.”