"We can bear with hunger many hours and make no complaint, as has already been shown at Breed's hill," Hiram replied in a tone of sharpness. "Because of what we heard last night, and through knowing that we were locked in here as prisoners, did we come to be somewhat uneasy in mind." "Then you tried to get out when there was trouble above, regardless of my warning?" the old man cried angrily. "We held ourselves as you commanded," and now Hiram's voice rang with temper. "It was this morning we strove to learn whether we were free to come and go as we pleased, and found that such was not the case." "Neither are you free, so far as leaving this house without my consent is concerned. I have much the same as promised to aid you, and am doing so, even at risk to myself and injury to the Cause, therefore it is you are holden here until I shall give the word that you may depart without endangering the secret of this place." Master Lord spoke with such an air of authority, as if he understood full well we were thoroughly in his power, that I was more alarmed than at any time since we came into the town, and mayhap there was somewhat of the same feeling in Hiram's heart, for he asked as if he had the right to know: "What was going on above us last night?" "What did you think might be happening?" Master Lord asked. "It sounded as if three or four men were fighting to such purpose that the furniture of the room was destroyed." "You have such a good idea of the matter that there is no need for me to make any explanation," Master Lord replied somewhat indifferently. "There were three Tories with me last evening, and but for the fact of their being well known as favoring the king, I am thinking one or more of us might have been taken into custody by the patrol." "Then you consort with enemies of the Cause?" Hiram asked, and the old man replied: "Aye, that I do, else how might it be possible for me to do our people a good turn here in Boston town?" The man could have made no reply which would have disturbed me more sorely than did this, for it was in substance exactly what Seth Jepson had said when we taxed him with being traitorously inclined, and if it had been possible to get out of that cellar without leaving my comrades in the lurch, I would have taken to my heels, fleeing through the streets of Boston town at risk of being arrested by the patrol, rather than remain there at his mercy. If Hiram remembered the excuse Seth made for having been seen in the company of Tories, and set the words alongside those just spoken by Master Lord, he failed to give proof of the fact; but asked as if believing everything had been explained: "Did you succeed in learning aught concerning Silas Brownrigg?"