Ira’s reply was a smile.
“I venture more,” the speaker continued. “It is that you have been the Ira Le Geyt who for weeks has been a close adviser of General Burgoyne. How you have brought it about, lieutenant, I don’t know. Where the real Ira is I cannot say. But, if the disasters that have befallen my general are due to you, the injury you have done the king is greater than any I have worked against the colonies.”
“Thank you,” the scout replied. “That is no mean compliment, coming from one who has been so uniformly successful in his work as yourself.”
“I see we understand each other,” the spy added. “Your work has offset mine. Why not continue to let it do so?”
“What do you mean?”
“Let me go now, and I give my word of honor that I will in no way betray you, either to the men I have just left, or to the general. In other words, you may go on in your work unmolested by me, if you allow me to continue mine.”
“You can afford to make such an offer,” Ira said with a smile. “I have you where I can put an end to all your work. More than that even, for once I deliver you into the hands of our commander, your life is not worth a farthing. What gain have I personally in releasing you? I can continue the work I am doing more successfully with you in our hands, than at liberty.”
“Do not be so sure of that,” the spy returned quickly.
“I will run the risk anyway,” the scout answered decisively. “You must go with us,” and ten minutes later the three lads and their prisoner were moving rapidly down the trail.
Not until they were twenty-five miles below the old hut, did the little party go into camp. A rude shack was the only shelter, and in this the prisoner and two of the scouts were soon sleeping. It fell to Late’s lot to stand the first watch. His time of guard duty had nearly expired when he heard the spy moving restlessly. Going quickly to his side, the lad found Turnbull sitting upright.