to learn how far I am
responsible for where I go to a thief-catcher."

"You hear that, sergeant? you heard him use a word to bring me into
contempt before the people, and excite them to use acts of violence
towards me?"

"No such thing. Mister Barton!" said Malone, coolly; "nobody here has
any thought of molesting you. I told you that young gentleman's name
and condition, to prevent you making any mistake concerning him; for his
friends are not the people to trifle with."

This artfully-put menace had its effect. Barton sat down again, and
appeared to reflect for a few minuted; then taking a roll of paper from
his pocket, he began leisurely to peruse it. The silence at this moment
was something horribly oppressive.

"This is a search-warrant, Mr. Malone," said Barton, laying down the
paper on the table, "empowering me to seek for the body of a certain
French officer, said to be concealed in these parts. Informations on
oath state that he passed at least one night under your roof. As he
has not accepted the amnesty granted to the other officers in the late
famous attempt against the peace of this country, the law will deal
with him as strict justice may demand; at the same time, it is right you
should know that harboring or sheltering him, under these circumstances,
involves the person or persons so doing in his guilt. Mr. Malone's
well-known and tried loyalty," continued Barton, with a half grin
of most malicious meaning, "would certainly exculpate him from any
suspicion of this nature; but sworn informations are stubborn things,
and it is possible, that in ignorance of the danger such a proceeding
would involve--"

"I thought the thrubbles was over, sir," interrupted Malone, wiping his
forehead with the back of his hand, "and that an honest, industrious
man, that minded his own business, had nothing to fear from any one."

"And you thought right," said Barton, slowly and deliberately, while
he scanned the other's features with a searching look; "and that is the
very fact I'm come to ascertain. And now, with your leave, we'll first
search the house and offices, and then I 'll put a little interrogatory
to such persons as I think fit, touching this affair."

"You're welcome to go over the cabin whenever you like," said Malone,
rising, and evidently laboring to repress his passionate indignation at
Barton's coolness.

Barton stood up at the same moment, and giving a wink at the sergeant to
follow, walked toward