army would
have disbanded through insubordination, or perished of starvation and
hardship in the wilderness. Comforted and replenished by His Majesty's
own subjects, it is now marching with threatening front toward Quebec."

"Traitors to the King in the outlying districts cannot unfortunately be
so easily reached as those who lie more immediately under our eyes. But
their time will come yet. Meanwhile, we have to keep a sharp watch over
disaffection and treason within the walls of this very city," said the
Lieutenant-Governor with great earnestness and very perceptible warmth.

"This parcel may probably assist Your Excellency in doing so," replied
Hardinge, at the same time delivering the remainder of the package which
he had received from Donald.

"What have we here?" questioned the Governor, while unfastening the
strings which bound the parcel.

"Letters from Colonel Arnold to General Schuyler, the original commander
of the army of invasion. Arnold will be surprised, if not chagrined, to
learn that Schuyler has been succeeded by Montgomery."

"Ah! I see. Well, as these letters are not addressed to General
Montgomery, and as Gen. Schuyler has left the country, it will be no
breach of etiquette on our part if we open them. No doubt they will
furnish very interesting reading. And these?"

"They are letters from Arnold to several prominent citizens of Quebec."

"Impossible."

"Your Excellency will please read the addresses."

The Governor examined the superscriptions one by one, and in silence,
while he made his comments in an undertone.

"Mr. L.--It does not surprise me."

"Mr. F.--I shall inquire into it."

"Mr. O.--As likely as not."

"Mr. R.--Must be some mistake. He is too big a fool to take sides one
way or the other."

"Mr. G.--His wife will have to decide that matter for him."

"Mr. X.--I'll give him a commission, and he'll be all right."

"Mr. N.--I don't believe a word of it."

"Mr. H.--Loose fish. He was false to France under Montcalm. He may be
false to England under Carleton."

And so on through a dozen more. At length he came upon the twentieth
address, when he exclaimed:

"Mr. B.--Impossible! My best friend! But what if it were true? Who knows
what these dark days may bring about? B--! B--! I will see to it at
once."

Saying which, he flung all the letters on the table, and striving to
master his excitement, turned towards Roderick Hardinge, and asked:

"Have you anything else to