“Is it any great wonder,” said Ezra, “that I did not safeguard a message given me by people who later sought my life?”
He was determined to be as evasive as possible. If he hoped to come to the true depth and breadth of this spy system, he knew that he must meet craft with craft.
Pennington made no reply to this, but continued to sit and watch. The situation must have puzzled him; clearly he did not understand it.
But Scarlett was ready enough.
“For my part, I blame you but little,” he said. “It was but a churlish way to treat a messenger.”
There was a short pause; then the spy spoke.
“Might I ask,” he inquired, “who this mysterious person is to whom you confided this paper?”
Ezra shook his head and remained silent.
“As a grandson of Seth Prentiss,” continued Pennington, “I am loth to believe you other than a friend to honesty and good government.”
“And in that,” returned the boy, “you would be right.”