"Logical, very. We are merchants in search of skins of a very peculiar shade of color. We work for a customer who is willing to pay largely for such skins—dyed ones will not do—and this fellow pretended that he was French, could not speak English, and told my trapper that he knew where we could get the skins. In all trust we followed. Now I ask you: Is it likely that 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!"