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In fact, he had already planned a scheme by which all of New Englandshould be federated under his lead, thus creating a vice-gerency in theNew World which should be all-powerful.
To carry out this plan he hoped to embroil the governor of NewHampshire with the mountaineers, and thus, by creating dissensions,show to England that a strong hand was needed.
When his trusted deputy heard from the spy the result of the interviewbetween Allen and the governor, he called his aids together and askedtheir advice.
"Wentworth will give that fellow Allen all he asks," he said, "and ourmission will be a failure."
"Cannot we capture this rebel and carry him over the border?"
"If we could we should be masters of the situation."
"Then we will do it."
"How?"
"Leave that to me. You must not know anything about it or it willcompromise you."
"But, Edwards, unless I know the details how can I advise the governoror prove to him that it was justifiable?"
"That is the very thing you must not do until Allen and perhaps his menare in New York Colony. Then you can boldly say: 'Here is the rebel;hang him!'"
That evening, when the mountaineers were smoking their pipes in frontof the inn, a man strolled leisurely along the street and looked atAllen and Warner, who were talking together.
He retraced his steps and stared at the men, hoping that they wouldresent the impertinence; but Allen did not notice him and Warner onlysmiled to himself.
"Can you tell me where I shall find a man they call Ethan Allen?" askedthe man, after passing and repassing several times.
"I have the right to bear that name," answered Allen.
"Oh!"
"Why did you ask?"
"I wanted to see him."
"Well, you have seen him," Warner said, angrily.
"And who are you?"
"A better man than you."
"That I doubt."
"Very well; you are perfectly within your rights."
"I know that, but I would like to know your name."
"Seth Warner."
"I am Jack Edwards, at your service."
"Very well, Mr. Jack Edwards, you can serve me by going about yourbusiness."
"So I will, now that I have seen you. Good-day."
Warner did not answer the valedictory, and the man stooped down, and,picking up a handful of gravel, threw it at Warner.
"That's for your bad manners."
