Suddenly the lads were attracted by the sounds of great confusion down a side street.

"Let's see what is going on," cried Hal, and, quickening their pace, they were soon in the midst of an excited crowd.

In the center of the mob a lone man struggled desperately to shake off the many hands that grasped him.

"Hang him!" came a voice from the crowd.

Other voices took up the cry immediately.

"Hang him! Hang him!"

Hal turned to a man in the crowd.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Matter? Why, the man was caught spying near one of the forts."

"How do you know he was spying?"