nd.

The door was wide open, but Father Beret was not inside; he had gone to
see a sick child in the outskirts of the village. Alice looked about
and hesitated. She knew the very puncheon that covered the flag; but
she shrank from lifting it. There seemed nothing else to do, however;
so, after some trouble with herself, she knelt upon the floor and
turned the heavy slab over with a great thump. The flag did not appear.
She peeped under the other puncheons. It was not there. The only thing
visible was a little ball of paper fragments not larger than an egg.

Farnsworth heard her utter a low cry of surprise or dismay, and was on
the point of going in when Father Beret, coming around the corner of
the cabin, confronted him. The meeting was so sudden and unexpected
that both men recoiled slightly, and then, with a mutual stare, saluted.

"I came with a young lady to get the flag," said Farnsworth. "She is
inside. I hope there is no serious intrusion. She says the flag is
hidden under your floor."

Father Beret said nothing, but frowning as if much annoyed, stepped
through the doorway to Alice's side, and stooping where she knelt, laid
a hand on her shoulder as she glanced up and recognized him.

"What are you doing, my child?"

"Oh, Father, where is the flag?" It was all that she could say. "Where
is the flag?"

"Why, isn't it there?"

"No, you see it isn't there! Where is it?"

The priest stood as if dumfounded, gazing into the vacant space
uncovered by the puncheon.

"Is it gone? Has some one taken it away?"

They turned up all the floor to no avail. La banniere d'Alice
Roussillon had disappeared, and Captain Farnsworth went forthwith to
report the fact to his commander. When he reached the shed at the angle
of the fort he found Governor Hamilton sitting stupid and dazed on the
ground. One jaw was inflamed and swollen and an eye was half closed and
bloodshot. He turned his head with a painful, irregular motion and his
chin sagged.

Farnsworth sprang to him and lifted him to his feet; but he could
scarcely stand. He licked his lips clumsily.

"What is the matter? What hurt you?"

The Governor rubbed his forehead trying to recollect.

"He struck me," he presently said with difficulty. "He hit me with his
fist Where--where is he?"

"Who?"

"That big French idiot--that Roussillon--go after him, take him, shoot
him--quick! I have been stunned; I don't know how long he's been gone.
Give the alarm--do some