"But how came you here, then?"

He laughed in careless good humor.

"Why that was no trick! Think you I am one to disappoint because of so small an obstacle? As the door was refused me I sought other entrance and found it here." He pointed through the open window. "It was not a difficult passage, but I had to wait the withdrawal of the guards below, which caused my late arrival. Yet this was compensated for by discovering you so quickly. My only fear was encountering someone I knew while seeking you on the floor."

"You entered through this window?"

"Yes; there is a lattice work below."

"And whose office is that within?"

"My guess is that of Colonel Delguard, La Barre's chief of staff, for there was a letter for him lying on the desk. What difference? You are glad I came?"

"Yes, Monsieur, but not so much for my own sake, as for yours. I bring you warning that you adventure with those who would do you evil if the chance arrive."

"Bah! Monsieur Cassion?"

"'Tis not well for you to despise the man, for he has power and is a villain at heart in spite of all his pretty ways. 'Tis said he has the cruelty of a tiger, and in this case La Barre gives him full authority."

"Hath the Governor grudge against me also?"

"Only that you are follower of La Salle, and loyal, while he is heart and hand with the other faction. He chided Cassion for accepting you as guide, and advised close watch lest you show treachery."

"You overheard their talk?"

"Ay! they made no secret of it; but I am convinced La Barre has more definite instructions to give in private, for he asked the Commissaire to come to him later for conference. I felt that you should be told, Monsieur."

De Artigny leaned motionless against the window ledge, and the light streaming in through the opening of the draperies revealed the gravity of his expression. For the moment he remained silent, turning the affair over in his mind.

"I thank you, Mademoiselle," he said finally, and touched my hand, "for your report gives me one more link to my chain. I have picked up several in the past few hours, and all seem to lead back to the manipulations of Cassion. Faith! there is some mystery here, for surely the man seemed happy enough when first we met at Chevet's house, and accepted my offer gladly. Have you any theory as to this change in his front?"

I felt the blood surge to my cheeks, and my eyes fell before the intensity of his glance.

"If I have, Monsieur, 'tis no need that it be mentioned."

"Your pardon, Mademoiselle, but your words already answer me--'tis then that I have shown interest in you; the dog is jealous!"

"Monsieur!"

He laughed, and I felt the tightening of his hand on mine.

"Good! and by all the gods, I will give him fair cause. The thought pleases me, for rather would I be your soldier than my own. See, how it dovetails in--I meet you at the convent and pledge you my aid; some spy bears word of our conference to Monsieur, and an hour later I receive word that if I have more to do with you I die. I smile at the warning and send back a message of insult. Then my invitation to this ball is withdrawn, and, later still, La Barre even advises that I be assassinated at the least excuse. 'Twould seem they deem you of importance, Mademoiselle."

"You make it no more than a joke?"

"Far from it; the very fact that I know the men makes it matter of grave concern. I might, indeed, smile did it concern myself alone, but I have your interests in mind--you have honored me by calling me your only friend, and now I know not where I may serve you best--in the wilderness, or here in Quebec?"

"There can nothing injure me here, Monsieur, not with Cassion traveling to the Illinois. No doubt he will leave behind him those who will observe my movements--that cannot harm."

"It is Hugo Chevet, I fear."

"Chevet! my uncle--I do not understand."

"No, for he is your uncle, and you know him only in such relationship.

He may have been to you kind and indulgent. I do not ask. But to those who meet him in the world he is a big, cruel, savage brute, who would sacrifice even you, if you stood in his way. And now if you fail to marry Cassion, you will so stand. He is the one who will guard you, by choice of the Commissaire, and orders of La Barre, and he will do his part well."

"I can remain with the sisters."

"Not in opposition to the Governor; they would never dare antagonize him; tomorrow you will return with Chevet."

I drew a quick breath, my eyes on his face.

"How can you know all this, Monsieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice me?"

"No matter how I know. Some of it has been your own confession, coupled with my knowledge of the man. Three days ago I learned of his debt to Cassion, and that the latter had him in his claws, and at his mercy. Today I had evidence of what that debt means."

"Today!"

"Ay! 'twas from Chevet the threat came that he would kill me if I ever met with you again."

I could but stare at him, incredulous, my fingers unconsciously grasping his jacket.

"He said that? Chevet?"

"Ay! Chevet; the message came by mouth of the half-breed, his _voyageur_, and I choked out of him where he had left his master, yet when I got there the man had gone. If we might meet tonight the matter would be swiftly settled."

He gazed out into the darkness, and I saw his hand close on the hilt of his knife. I caught his arm.

"No, no Monsieur; not that. You must not seek a quarrel, for I am not afraid--truly I am not; you will listen--"

There was a voice speaking in the office room behind, the closing of a door, and the scraping of a chair as someone sat down. My words ceased, and we stood silent in the shadow, my grasp still on De Artigny's arm.

CHAPTER V

THE ORDER OF LA BARRE

I did not recognize the voice speaking--a husky voice, the words indistinct, yet withal forceful--nor do I know what it was he said.

But when the other answered, tapping on the desk with some instrument, I knew the second speaker to be La Barre, and leaned back just far enough to gain glimpse through the opening in the drapery. He sat at the desk, his back toward us, while his companion, a red-faced, heavily-moustached man, in uniform of the Rifles, stood opposite, one arm on the mantel over the fireplace. His expression was that of amused interest.

"You saw the lady?" he asked.

"In the receiving line for a moment only; a fair enough maid to be loved for her own sake I should say. Faith, never have I seen handsomer eyes."

The other laughed.