"Yes, my lad, it will be better to tell me the truth. I do not promise to aid you; but I will treat as confidential anything you may say."
The officer's tone was so kindly that Jacob hesitated no longer. He told all he knew regarding the matter, making no attempt to conceal the fact that Seth had listened to the conversation of the guests in his mother's house, and when he concluded Lord Gordon stood silent, like one who is trying to settle some vexed question.
Then he said, as if to himself:
"This will be sad news for his mother, and she is a worthy woman!"
"It will just about kill her!" Enoch cried.
"Did she know he was going to meet the rebels?" and now the officer spoke sternly.
"Indeed she didn't, sir. Enoch and I told her he had gone out on the Delaware Road; but made it appear that we were ignorant as to why he went."
"Why should you not have told the truth?"
"We were afraid she might think it her duty to tell you, because what he learned had been gained—well, perhaps it wouldn't have been just right to take such an advantage except in a case like this, where no fellow could sit still knowing his friends might be running into a trap."
"Don't you think Mrs. Graydon ever carried any information to the American camp?"