been no attachment made to-day.

"How did you know anything about that?" Walter asked, sharply.

"I heard the matter discussed, and feel certain you would have been given
more time but for your own very unwise move last night."

"Then you know-"

Walter stopped suddenly on realizing that he was about to betray a secret,
but Haines finished the remark.

"That you enrolled yourself among that rabble who call themselves the Sons
of Liberty? Yes; I know it, and so do others."

"It seems I am of more importance than I fancied. I never supposed
anything I did could make any difference to the good people of Portsmouth;
but I was mistaken."

"It concerns right-minded people anywhere when a boy who stands on the
threshold of manhood makes a grievous mistake."

"That remains to be proven."

"And it will be speedily, as you must learn to your cost. If you really
want a mill on the Pascataqua, I will show you how it can be built at
once."

"I should like to learn the secret."