you're standing here he doesn't know a thing about that
fox," he whispered. "He's been double-crossed by the Injun. Perhaps we
can use him to get the redskin out of his hole. It's worth trying,
anyway."

CHAPTER XVIII

SMOKING OUT THE INDIAN

Pat and Alec returned to their captive. Alec acted as spokesman,
speaking the patois of the Canuck or French Canadian fluently, while the
Frenchman spoke English but little, and that very brokenly. Alec
repeated his previously made charges of theft from the traps, and also
of illegal poaching in the deer yard, to all of which Pierre shrugged
his shoulders indifferently. Then speaking slowly, that every word might
sink in, Alec charged him with being an accomplice to attempted murder
and the theft of the black fox.

This roused the Frenchman to vehement denial. He swore by the name of
his patron saint that he knew nothing of the black fox and had had no
part in the theft. He declared that he didn't even know that a black fox
had been seen in the Hollow, and as for the assault on Sparrer, he was
as innocent as a new-born babe. Then Alec told him the story of the
killing of the fox and the murderous attack by the Indian, concluding by
stating his belief that the latter had hidden the skin and intended to
desert his companion at the first opportunity and thus avoid having to
share his ill-gotten gains.

Pierre's face grew black with ill suppressed rage, not, as his captors
well knew, at the dastardly crime, but at the evident intention of his
partner to "double-cross" him. Alec artfully pointed out the serious
situation in which he, Pierre, was; if turned over to the officers of
the law he would undoubtedly have to face the charge of being accessory
to the Indian's crime. He wound up with the suggestion that if Pierre
would endeavor to help them recover the skin they would in return be
content to allow him to get out of the country. If he refused they would
hold him and turn him over to the authorities.

It did not take Pierre long to make up his mind. He saw clearly that he
had nothing to gain by refusing, and everything to lose. Moreover the
spirit of revenge was strong within him. After a few minutes of
hesitation he sullenly agreed to do whatever was required of him.

"Tell him," said Pat, "that he is to go out there and demand of that
skulking redskin that he come out and surrender. Tell him to make it
clear that the camp is surrounded and the jig is up; that we're