"You are forgetting, Mistress Thankful, that you have not told me
how I can serve you. It cannot be that you are still concerned in
Capt. Brewster, who has given evidence against your other--FRIENDS,
and tacitly against YOU. Nor can it be on their account, for I
regret to say they are still free and unknown. If you come with
any information exculpating them, and showing they are not spies or
hostile to the cause, your father's release shall be certain and
speedy. Let me ask you a single question: Why do you believe them
honest?"

"Because," said Mistress Thankful, "they were--were--gentlemen."

"Many spies have been of excellent family, good address, and fair
talents," said Washington gravely; "but you have, mayhap, some
other reason."

"Because they talked only to ME," said Mistress Thankful, blushing
mightily; "because they preferred my company to father's; because"--
she hesitated a moment--"because they spoke not of politics, but--
of--that which lads mainly talk of--and--and,"--here she broke down
a little,--"and the baron I only saw once, but he"--here she broke
down utterly--"I know they weren't spies: there, now!"

"I must ask you something more," said Washington, with grave
kindness: "whether you give me the information or not, you will
consider, that, if what you believe is true, it cannot in any way
injure the gentlemen you speak of; while, on the other hand, it may
relieve your father of suspicion. Will you give to Col. Hamilton,
my secretary, a full description of them,--that fuller description