There was a certain note of respect in his voice that did not escape Tom; he had made an impression by his boldness.
“There are many things connected with this business,” said the youth, “that I don’t understand myself.”
“I suppose not—I suppose not.” There was awe in the voice of Cornwallis as he said this; and Tom could scarcely keep from laughing. He was determined to escape the notice of Clarage, so he continued,
“This man Clarage must not be permitted to observe me—he must not see me—he must not know who I am.”
“Is it possible that he is suspected as strongly as all that!”
“He is not a king’s officer,” said Tom, “and in these times it behooves us to suspect every one not actually in the uniform.”
“Right,” cried Tarleton. “Right, sir! Allow me to shake you by the hand.” He grasped Tom’s hand as he spoke, and shook it warmly. “When I first clapped eyes upon you I could not understand why a boy had been sent about this important business; but I see it now; it’s because you have brains and know how to use them.” He continued to shake Tom’s hand violently. “I beg your pardon, sir, for my first impression of you; but I see my mistake, and am willing to acknowledge it. You are right. Every one in Carolina should be suspected except those who wear the king’s uniform.”
Then the two senior officers talked long and earnestly about matters of which Tom had not the slightest knowledge; but, seeing that he was supposed to be well informed as to most of it, he kept nodding his head or shaking it, as the case might be, and wore a look of great gravity. He gradually drew from their talk that he was supposed to be a messenger, sent by the very highest officials of the government at London, to collect facts of some kind. But just what the facts were, and why so much caution was considered necessary in their collecting, he could not learn. At length Cornwallis said:
“There is to be an affair to-morrow evening at which you could meet a very great many people, if you choose to attend.”
Tom trembled with expectation; but his voice was steady enough, as he asked: