"Your suggestion," said he, at length, "is certainly a good one, and worth consideration. Yet I don't see how it can be so. No—for this reason: the captain of the schooner was certainly a New Englander, and e spoke in my hearing, on several occasions, as though this Motier was, like himself, a native of New England, and as one, too, whom he had known for years. Once he spoke as though he had known him from boyhood. I know enough English to understand that. Besides, this fellow's English is as perfect as his French. No, it cannot be possible that he has been sent out by any parties in France. He must have lived in New England nearly all his life, even if he was not born there; and I cannot agree with you."
"O, I only made the suggestion. It was merely a passing thought."
"Be assured this steward Motier has brought him up with an eye to using him for the very purpose on which he is now going."
"Do you suppose that Motier is alive?"
"Of course."
"He may be dead."
"And what then?"
"In that case this young fellow is not an agent of anybody, but is acting for himself."
"Even if that were so, I do not see what difference it would make. He has been educated for the part which he is now playing."
"Do you think," asked the commandant, after a pause, "that the Count de Montresor had a son?"