But who was this strange man? An army paymaster? No, or he would have been glad to have gone into Boston—unless he was absconding with the money which was to pay the wages of the British soldiers. Like a flash the thought came to me. The usual place for a paymaster was on a frigate, surrounded by a force that could convey him to his destination beyond all question. But if he was trying to make off with the money, what was more natural than for him to take passage from England to the Azores, and from there to America where he would wish to avoid both British and Continental authorities. In fact, the more quietly he could slip into the country, the better. I was sure I had found the true explanation why he made his strange proposal—his tremendous offer. But that was a matter the Continental authorities could settle. My duty was clear. It was to guard the man and his money every moment until we reached port and I had turned him over to the proper tribunal. This decision reached, I said quietly:
“I am satisfied, Master Rollins. Close up your boxes, and put them back under the berth.”
He did so, and then remarked: “You see I can pay you the amount promised, Captain Dunn, large as it is.”
“Certainly, sir,” I admitted, “but come now with me.”
Without hesitation he followed me into the cabin.
“Close and lock your door,” I now directed, and he complied, but in a way that showed he was a little puzzled by my commands.
“Now come in here,” I continued, throwing open the door of what had been Captain Williamson’s room, and stepping back to allow him to enter first. He did so reluctantly, and no sooner was he well within the room than he turned upon me asking:
“What does this mean, Captain Dunn?”
“This,” I explained, drawing my pistol from my pocket and holding it so it was ready for instant use. “You are evidently too important A personage to be allowed to escape in any way, Master Rollins. I shall keep you in here under guard until we are safe in port, and you have been turned over to the Continental authorities. They shall decide who you are, and to whom your gold and silver rightly belongs. Meantime you have the satisfaction of knowing it is locked up and the key is in your pocket. It shall not be touched until you yourself open the door for the men to whom I am responsible.” And with these words I stepped back into the cabin, and closing the door locked him in. Five minutes thereafter an armed sailor stood before the door, nor was it without a guard for a single moment until we reached Lynn.
With strict instructions to Midshipman Blinn to take good care of Master Rollins until I returned, I hurried on shore and visited the Continental agent. Reporting the prize, I then acquainted him with the astonishing discovery I had made, and my own surmise about the mysterious passenger.