“The troops may well be sent in any case,” said Church, sourly.
“Then let them come as a further affront against our liberties.” said Adams, not as protection for the citizenry against roving killers in the night. How can we cry out, in indignation, that the Tories murder freedom-loving men if we respond in kind? I say again, the killers must be found and brought to justice. Our hands must remain clean in this affair.
“But how are we to find the murderers?” asked Cooper.
“Aye, where does a man look to find a ghost?” asked someone else.
“I have never heard of a ghost who was political,” said Adams, wryly. “Rest assured, gentlemen, this mysterious so-called ‘headless horsemen’ we’ve all heard of is made of flesh and blood. Tory flesh and blood. He is someone with the wit to hide his face so that he remains unknown and, doubtless, he has Tory confederates to help him. We must find out who they are so that they may be punished for their crime.”
“But how are we to find out who they are, Sam?” Hancock asked. “Of whom can we make our inquiries? I hardly think that the Tories shall share anything they know with us. The sympathies of every man who is present in this room are well known to all of them,”
“Not every man,” said Hunter. “They do not know my friends here.”
“Nor, for that matter, do we know them.” Paul Revere said. “No offense intended”
“None taken.” said Lucas. “We know that we are strangers here and only present because our friend. Reese Hunter, vouched for us. But we are patriots, the same as you, and there are many in New York who think as we do. We’ve come to confer with Boston’s patriot leaders, to share goodwill and seek advice, but we have also tome to offer help if needed. Now as Mr. Hancock said, if most of you are known to the Tories here in Boston, then you can hardly expect them to help you find whoever killed your friends. However, we three an: not known here. We arrived only yesterday, and except for Reese, you are the first citizens of Boston we have spoken to. We could just as easily be Tories recently arrived in Boston. We could go where the Tories gather and strike up friendships with them, then pass on anything we learn to you.”
Adams looked thoughtful. “Your idea has merit,” he said. “But you realize that you would he taking a great risk if they discovered that you were deceiving them?”
“We have already taken a great risk in coming here and meeting with known radicals,” said Delaney. “That’s the sort of thing that could tarnish a gentleman’s reputation.”
His comment provoked laughter. “You may joke, sir,” Adams said. “but spying is a very serious business.”
“So is murder,” said Andre.
“Yes, so it is,” Adams replied gravely. “How old are you, lad?”
“Eighteen, sir,” Andre said.
“Eighteen.” said Adams, with a sigh. “Eighteen is very young.”
“I see others here scarcely older than myself.” said Andre. “And seventeen is old enough to join the militia.”
“True.” said Adams. “but drilling with a rifle does not make one a man.”
“Nor does plotting in back rooms or smashing windows in the middle of the night,” said Andre
Hancock chuckled. “He has you there. Sam.”
“A man is one who is willing to stand up for his beliefs, sir.” Andre said. “I came here willing to stand up for mine.”
Adams smiled. “Well said, young man. Very well then, I accept the offer of your help. We need all the help that we can get and we could do with a spy or two among the Tories of this town. I would dearly like to find out who this ‘headless horseman’ is and who his friends are. He could scarcely have accounted for those four men alone. But for this plan to work, you must be careful not to be seen with any of us. We must devise a way for you to secretly report your findings.”
“With your permission, sir,” said Lucas, we would rather see to that ourselves. The moment we discover anything, we will send Reese to you with the information or one of us will contact you directly, at a time and place of our own choosing. In that manner, if there is to be no set time and place for us to meet, then no one can find out about
Adams stared at him for a moment. “You sound as if you have some experience in such matters. Mr. Priest.”
“As you yourself said. Mr. Adams, these are troubled times,” Lucas replied. “I have merely learned how to be cautious. And now, with your permission, if we are to begin tonight. we’d best be on our way. Good day, gentlemen. You will be hearing from us.”
“Good fortune to you.” Adams said. He waited till they’d left the room, then turned to Paul Revere. “Paul, I think it would be best if someone were to keep a weather eye upon those three. That new apprentice of yours you’ve been telling me about, young Jonathan, who came here with his uncle from the Pennsylvania frontier, you say he is a most resourceful lad?”
“Aye, made friends with the Indians, he did.” Revere said. “I’ve seen him use his fowling piece to drop a deer at over a hundred paces. Moves through the forest like a cat, he does.”
“You said that he was eager to join us.” Adams said. “Let us see, then, how resourceful he can be. Follow those three and find out where they go, then send young Jonathan to keep an eye on them discreetly and inform us of their movements.”
“I’m on my way.” Revere said, picking up his coat and hat.
“You don’t trust them?” Edes said. “But Hunter vouched for them.”