"No frolic," answered Shew soberly, "though Joe may find it a matter for his French mirth."
"Why do you stop folk at night on the King's highway?" I inquired curiously of de Golyer.
"Voyons, l'ami Jean," he replied gaily, "Sir Johnson and his Scottish bare-shanks, they have long time stop us on their sacré King's highway. Now, in our turn, we stop them, by gar! Oui, nom de dieu! And we shall see what we shall see, and we shall catch in our little trap what shall step into it, pardieu!"
Shew said in his heavy voice: "Our authorities in Albany have concluded to watch, for smuggled arms, the roads leading to Johnstown, Mr. Drogue."
"Do they fear treachery at the Hall?"
"They do not know what is going on at the Hall. But there are rumours abroad concerning the running in of arms for the Highlanders, and the constant passing of messengers between Canada and Johnstown."
"I have but left the Hall," said I. "I saw nothing to warrant suspicion." And I told them who were there and how they conducted at supper.
Shew said with an oath that Lieutenant Hare was a dangerous man, and that he hoped a warrant for him would be issued.
"As for the Indian, Hiakatoo," he went on, "he's a surly and cunning animal, and a fierce one as are all Senecas. I do not know what has brought him to Johnstown, nor why Moucher was there, nor Steve Watts."
"Young Watts, no doubt, came to visit his sister," said I. "That is natural, Mr. Shew."