“Well, unless that handkerchief contains evidences of disloyalty you will go free. Put on your clothing. I will assist you.”
In a little time Mildred was again presentable, and the door being re-opened, the two men entered without ceremony. The little woman was the first to speak.
“That’s the only suspicious article I’ve been able to discover.”
“And that is enough,” said the clerk. “Alas! young lady, we are forced to arrest you as a spy. I am sorry for you.”
“I do not need your sympathy,” said Mildred indignantly. “I would rather be anything than a detestable informer, showing a ‘Devil’s purpose with an angel’s face’—sneaking among your unsuspecting guests, smiling and fawning upon them in order to convert their blood into gold. ‘I’d rather be a dog and bay the moon than such a Roman.’ Yes, I’d rather die a thousand times than act the base part of a contemptible hypocrite.”
“High! wrathful lady,” exclaimed the clerk without betraying any symptoms of vexation and annoyance, “how can you blame me for discharging my duty to my country?”
“Don’t you remember that King Philip said he loved the treason, but despised the traitor? That is the case with your masters; they love your treachery, but they hate you. Every honest man heartily execrates a cold-blooded, villainous informer,” cried the enraged Mildred.
“Nevertheless, young lady,” coolly said the clerk, “it is our duty to arrest you as a spy.”
“I am no spy,” exclaimed Mildred. “I have not come to Washington to find out anything of a military character. I call God to witness that I have not come here for any such purpose.”
“Why, don’t you know the contents of this document?” asked the clerk.