Then Dick took his way up to the church and waited for the spy to appear. Coming out of the church after a stay of a few minutes, Dick saw Bob in the yard, standing contemplating a monument, while not far away stood the second spy watching him. At the time mentioned, Phil, who was supposed to be Bob, came up, and the two began to chat in the most animated fashion. Dick saw the spy approach them so as to overhear their conversation, and at once signaled to Ben, Sam, Harry, Will and others whom he saw in the grounds to approach rapidly.
Bob and Phil were talking away in the liveliest fashion about all sorts of things except matters of importance, the spy standing behind a monument listening to them and trying to discover what connection the talk had with the situation in the city. Dick meanwhile had gathered the various groups together, and they were now closing in upon the spy, ready to act as soon as they got the word from the captain. The man with the steeple-crowned hat was not to be seen, and Dick was uncertain whether to wait for him or not. Then the spy stepped up to Bob and Phil and said glibly:
"Good day, Captain. You don't remember me, I suppose? I met you on Long Island. So you are over here now? Where is your camp? I should like to send up an ox or two for your use. Where did you say you were encamped?"
Dick passed at that moment but was not observed, nor was a certain sign he made to Bob. Then the call of a bird was heard and Ben, Sam and the rest began to close in.
"On the Commons," replied Bob. "Come up and see us some time. You are Mr. Bulwinkle, are you not?"
"Yes. I see you remember me very well."
Then all at once he found himself surrounded by Liberty Boys, and a young man in plain garments stepped up and said:
"You are a British spy. You and a man in a steeple-crowned hat in Fraunces tavern tried to listen to my conversation. I have not yet caught your employer, but if you make any alarm or try to get away you will be denounced. Go with these boys. They will show you our camp, where you will remain a prisoner until I can deliver you up to General Putnam."
The man's face blanched, and then he recognized Dick, and muttered:
"Jove! you are Slater, the rebel, himself! How did you manage—"