“Your purse, if you please,” said Captain Johnson, extending his hand, and speaking in a harsh voice, for he had no reason to doubt the truth of Lieutenant Taylor’s words.
The girl’s face turned white. For the first time she realized the full seriousness of her situation. For a moment she held her purse even closer to her.
“But, captain,” she began, “I——”
“Your purse, if you please,” interrupted the captain.
Slowly the girl extended it to him. Quickly he opened it, and a moment later withdrew a little piece of paper, which he opened and read. It was the message containing the supposed plans of the British fleet.
After a hasty perusal, the captain turned to Lieutenant Berkeley, his first officer.
“Arrest her,” he said.
“But, captain,” exclaimed the girl in terror, “a message to Lord Hastings will confirm the truth of my story.”
“I shall communicate with Lord Hastings at once,” was the reply, “but I am convinced that no answer he can make will exonerate you.”
“The case is perfectly plain,” agreed Lieutenant Taylor.