Quebec,
although he was wishful to see the city for himself, and to judge
of the strength of its position. He knew that the fleet from
Louisbourg would be hanging about nearer the mouth of the great
estuary, and to a traveller of his experience the journey either by
land or water was a mere trifle.

Any day the sails of the English vessels might be expected to
appear. The seething excitement in the city, and the eager and
laborious preparations upon land, showed how public feeling was
being aroused. It might not be well for Fritz to linger much
longer. If his real connection with the English were discovered, he
might find himself in difficulties.

"I have arranged with a boatman to take you down the river tonight,
Monsieur," said Madame Drucour to him; when he had expressed a
determination to leave. "He is scouting for information as to the
English fleet, and we have heard that vessels have been seen in the
region of the Isle-aux-Coudres. He will land you there, and you
will then have no difficulty in rejoining your countrymen. If
Monsieur Wolfe has arrived, pray give him my best compliments, and
tell him that I hope his health is improved, and that if we should
meet once again it will be as friends."

"I will not forget to do so, Madame," answered Fritz. "I myself
look forward with pleasure to making the acquaintance of that great
soldier. I should not have dared to think that I might approach him
myself; but since Julian is his friend, I shall not be denied his
presence."

Corinne was listening to the talk with eager interest; now she
broke in with a smile:

"And tell Monsieur Julian that if he should repeat his strategy of
Louisbourg here at Quebec, and steal into the city in disguise, I
hope he will come to see us here. We are very well disposed towards
the English, my aunt and I. We should have a welcome for him, and
would see that he came to no harm."

Madame Drucour laughed, and patted the cheek of her niece.

"Make no rash promises, little one. The game of war is a fiercer
and more deadly and dangerous one than thou canst realize as yet.
It may be our privilege to shelter and succour a hunted foe; but
tempt not any man to what might be certain destruction. Spies meet
with scant mercy; and there are Indians in this city who know not
the meaning of mercy, and have eyes and ears quicker and keener
than our own. Monsieur and his friends had better now remain
without the city walls, unless the day should