Delaplace was a diplomat; he had imbibed the idea that every man had his price; in other words, that every man could be influenced for or against a cause by bribery in some form or other. Being a quick reader of character, he saw that Arnold was ambitious, and he at once began to wonder whether ambition would lead him to be false to Allen. "You have treated me very kindly," he said to Arnold, "and I shall report to my superiors, though----" He paused, and there was a world of meaning in that sudden silence. "Why do you hesitate? I know what you would say." "Do you?" "Yes; shall I tell you?" "If you please." "And you will tell me whether I am right?" "On my honor as a soldier and a gentleman." "You were about to say that such a recommendation would not even be a plea in mitigation of the death penalty if I should fall into the hands of the English." Again there was silence. "I am answered. Your silence proves that I am right. You need not think I am offended. I know I should be treated as a rebel, not as a prisoner of war." "And, knowing this, you joined these men against the rule of your sovereign?" "I knew that if the colonists failed the leaders would be hanged; if they succeeded they would found a new nation, and the chances were worth risking." "Did you not think that England has a large army and a strong navy at her back?" "Yes, and I knew it had strong forts; this is one of them." "You sneer! I admit that England behaved scurvily in allowing me to have so few men." "Nay, nay, captain. Fifty men, if they felt an interest in their work, could hold this fort against an army." "You are the victor and so have a right to rebuke me. But do not think England will allow the colonies to be independent." "Perhaps not, but at any rate the colonies will have won respect for themselves." "But the leaders will be hanged." "So let it be." "Can you face the thought of death like that?" "I can, for my country will be saved from a serfdom which no self-respecting nation should submit to." "If--mind, I say if, for I do not think there is the remotest chance--but if the colonies were successful, what could they do for you? I suppose you might be a governor, or something like that, with no salary to speak of, while if you had remained loyal to your king you might have a chance----" "Of being snubbed, insulted and laughed at." Delaplace smiled. He had learned the cause of Arnold's action in joining the colonists--it was disappointed ambition. Could he play on that and win over Arnold? If so, then he would regain the fort, and that by treachery; but what of that? Would not the result justify the means? "My dear general"--Arnold smiled at the title--"if anyone insulted or snubbed you it was through a misunderstanding. Tell me about it, and I think all can be rectified." "It is too late."