“Spies?” said he, gently. “That would be a rough-hewn fate indeed. Think what is meted out to such offenders.”
“It is death,” said Ezra, solemnly.
“And would you deliver us up to that?”
“It is not for me to pass judgment,” answered the lad. “I leave that for my superiors.”
“But,” and there was a curious note in Abdallah’s voice that caught the boy’s attention, “you shall decide, for all! And your decision will be in our favor.”
“You shall see in a moment,” spoke Ezra Prentiss, gravely. “Here comes the American patrol. What is to hinder my giving you up to them?”
“This,” said Abdallah.
As he spoke he thrust the old man, who bore him company, forward suddenly. For the first time, Ezra saw this latter plainly.
“Grandfather,” he cried chokingly.
The old merchant lifted a hand as though about to denounce the lad; but Abdallah drew him back with a fierce whispered word of warning.