es--it is simply a question of shillings and
pence?"

"Well, sir, perhaps it is something like that," Nathan replied, growing
confused. "Father thinks since the news came from Concord and Lexington
that all the provincials ought to turn to and show their mettle; but
mother says so long as the king's troops buy truck and pay good prices
for it, it is our business to see that we don't take the bread and
butter out of our own mouths."

"I understand; yours is what might be called a divided household," and
Colonel Allen looked around with a smile at his companions.

"I guess I don't know what you mean by that, sir; but things our way are
about as I have told you."

Corporal 'Lige glowered at the boy who thus unblushingly announced that
he measured his patriotism by its value in money, and Isaac wondered
that a lad so young could talk thus pertly to one as high in authority
as was Colonel Ethan Allen.

"If you should be paid six shillings, would you be willing to guide one
of these gentlemen into the fort and come back with him to where our
troops might then be stationed?"

"Which one wants to go?" Nathan asked, not intending to commit himself
until the full details were given.

"This gentleman," and Colonel Allen pointed toward Master Phelps, one of
the Committee from the Connecticut Assembly.

Nathan looked at him critically a moment, and then asked, as if
suspicious some portion of the plan was being kept secret from him:

"Does he want to see Captain Delaplace?"

"He simply wishes to view the fort, and it would be necessary you should
pretend he was a neighbor who had come with no other motive than that of
curiosity."

"You couldn't pass him off for any neighbor of our'n."

"Why not?"

"'Cause he's dressed too fine, an' his face is so pale that anybody'd
know he didn't live 'round here."

"All that may be readily changed," Master Phelps interrupted. "I'll
promise to look so nearly like one of your neighbors that there shall be
no question raised."

"When do I get the six shillings?" Nathan asked.

"After you have performed the work faithfully to the extent of bringing
Master Phelps back to me," Colonel Allen replied, now speaking quite
sharply. "It would be a serious matter indeed if you were to betray him
to the commandant of the fort, or indicate that this body of men are
near at hand."

"If I take the six shillings, I'll earn 'em. It's none of my business
where you folks are, nor what's goin' on