"And the copy?"
"I left it at Ticonderoga."
"What became of it?"
"I do not know; at least I find that I know now, though I had no suspicion. When I returned from the Continental Congress I asked for the plan, and was told it had been lost. The truth is that Arnold took it away with him."
"Gen. Washington shall know this."
"No, never mind. I care not who gets credit for the plan if it is only successful; but if I should fall let the people of Vermont know that the plan was mine."
"Rest assured of that."
"I have the original with me, and you shall read it, for I want no one to accept my word for anything."
Allen was right. Benedict Arnold had read the plan, and had actually appropriated the copy and sent it in Allen's writing to Philadelphia.
Once he was asked about Allen's statement, and he replied that he had employed Ethan Allen to make copies from his rough draft.