The commodore paused for an instant, as if at loss for a word, and I looked in amazement at Alec, who sat on the locker, gazing first at his brother and then at me; but it was impossible to read any solution to the seeming mystery upon his face. He answered my glance without a change of expression, and I fancied he was questioning me with his eyes. “Captain Dobbins and myself have decided that no good can come of trying to punish the traitor, while by showing mercy--mistaken mercy, perhaps,--he yet has an opportunity to redeem himself. Therefore it is that we take you lads into our confidence, asking your assistance.” I was even more bewildered than before, and gazed in open-mouthed astonishment at my commander. “We depend upon you to liberate this man as secretly as may be, trusting only Silas Boyd, who will lend the necessary assistance, and allow it to be believed that he escaped.” For a moment it seemed to me I must be dreaming! I could not believe that my father, whom I knew was devoted to his country, and Commodore Perry, who had been literally consumed with impatience because he could not come at our enemies, would plot to release a traitor--a man ready to sell his friends and his native land to the highest bidder. “I see that the proposition astonishes you, as it did Alexander; but it is a sound one, of which I am not ashamed. Talk the matter over with my brother, and by the time the plans can be put into execution you lads will have come to a thorough understanding concerning it.” Having said this the commodore arose, a movement which I understood to be a token that the interview was at an end, and as I turned to leave the cabin Alec linked his arm in mine, walking in this fashion until we were come on deck, where I observed old Silas gazing at us curiously. Not until we were well forward on the forecastle-deck where none could creep up on us unawares, did I speak, and then it was to ask:-- “What do you think, Alec Perry, of this proposition to set free a traitor who would have delivered us over to the enemy without remorse?” “It has the approval of both your father and my brother.” “Now you are begging the question. I asked for your opinion.” “At first I looked at the matter much as I believe you do; but after thinking it over, and I have had ample time, I fancy there is much of good in it.” “In what way?” It would be impossible for me to set down here all the arguments Alec advanced in favor of the plan, explaining as he spoke that he but repeated what his brother had said. It is enough if I give the chief points, and it appears to me that the case should be made plain lest we be blamed for what we afterward did. First the difficulty of proving the man’s guilt was brought up, and I was free to admit that argument a good one, because we had really seen nothing which would absolutely fasten the crime upon him.