Martha brings lunch to Ephraim at the mill and immediately notices that Barnabas Lambard has arrived in a wagon and looks frightened rather than social. Ephraim quickly understands that Barnabas has not come to see Dolly. When Barnabas finally speaks, he announces that he has been ordered to arrest Cyrus Ballard for the murder of Joshua Burgess.

The family goes with Barnabas to Mill Pond, where Cyrus is ice fishing. Dolly joins them, senses the danger, and grows afraid and angry when no one will explain. At the pond, Cyrus reads the situation as soon as he sees Barnabas and calmly returns from the ice. Through signs, Cyrus tells Ephraim that he did not kill Burgess, and Barnabas says he does not personally believe Cyrus is guilty but must obey the court’s order.

Barnabas explains that Cyrus must be taken to Vassalboro to appear before Judge Wood the next day, with a hearing set for March 26 and confinement at Fort Western after bail. He admits the court has no real proof beyond testimony about Cyrus’s earlier beating of Burgess. Dolly openly defies both her father and Barnabas, pleading with Barnabas not to arrest her brother. When Barnabas refuses, Dolly threatens never to speak to Barnabas again, and Barnabas answers coldly that he is sorry to hear it. Dolly then slaps Barnabas and storms away.

After Dolly leaves, Martha tells Barnabas that Cyrus did not kill anyone. Barnabas agrees and reveals that the arrest is largely political: the court wants to appear thorough because Joseph North escaped and higher authorities are scrutinizing the county. Ephraim accuses Barnabas of helping injustice, but Barnabas insists he is doing his duty. In the end, Cyrus chooses not to resist. Instead, he steps forward, grins, holds out his wrists together, and allows Barnabas to bind him.