at this Ethan Allen would allow himself to be
entrapped?"

"No, you are right; but I am not the judge, and you will have to go to
Sabrevous and see the colonel."

"That will take time, and I am anxious to get the skins. I will make
you a proposition: I will go with you to Sabrevous, but this man must
go with me, and as a prisoner, for I have charges to make against him
which will cause him to be hanged. My friends must go free to search
for the skins."

"I cannot accept the offer--all must go."

"But you said you were to arrest Ethan Allen; now, we cannot all be
Ethan Allen, and I am the one accused."

Allen knew just as well as the officer that all must surrender, but he
wanted to confuse the Englishman, and perhaps find a way of escape.

"I am very sorry, but if you are Allen, the party with you may be also
wanted. I must demand the surrender of all."

"Before I surrender I demand the arrest of that man."

"What for?"

"Murder!"

The informer almost shrieked as he heard the charge. His knees
trembled, the blood left his cheeks, and he looked a most guilty wretch.

"Look at him," Allen exclaimed. "Tell me, is he not guilty?"

"I did not do it. He--he shot himself."

"And you took the skins. Ah, my fine friend, Frenchman or Canadian,
you may well tremble. England does not accept the services of
murderers. You sought to save yourself by denouncing me. Your trick
has failed. I shall not surrender on the accusation of a murderer. I
will give my parole to appear against you on your trial."

"You refuse to surrender?" asked the sergeant, in amazement.

"If my accuser was a man of honor instead of a murderer I should bow to
fate, but unless you have some one to accuse me who is not tainted I
shall resist you, and if I fall my family will hold you accountable for
my death."

The sergeant was in a quandary.

He had been ordered to arrest Ethan Allen, and here was a man who had
put him to the proof. The only accuser was one whose word was of no
account, for he was a self-confessed murderer.

"Are you Ethan Allen?" the sergeant asked, most innocently.

"If you think so arrest me. I shall not answer any questions except
before a proper tribunal."

"You are a brave fellow, and I wish there was some one here who knew
you."

"I know him!"

All turned toward the door and saw a man with a long white beard and
patriarchal appearance, though his garb was that of a monk.

"I know him," the monk