n
the rude table.

She stood before him tall and straight, well bundled in furs. She was
not pale; her blood was too rich and brilliant for that; but despite a
half-smile and the inextinguishable dimples, there was a touch of
something appealingly pathetic in the lines of her mouth. She did not
waver or hesitate, however, but spoke promptly and distinctly.

"I have come, Monsieur, to tell you that I have hurt Captain
Farnsworth. He was about to kill Father Beret, and I shot him. He is in
our house and well cared for. I don't think his wound is bad. And--"
here she hesitated at last and let her gaze fall,--"so here I am." Then
she lifted her eyes again and made an inimitable French gesture with
her shoulders and arms. "You will do as you please, Monsieur, I am at
your mercy."

Hamilton was astounded. Helm sat staring phlegmatically. Meantime
Beverley entered the room and stopped hat in hand behind Alice. He was
flushed and evidently excited; in fact, he had heard of the trouble
with Farnsworth, and seeing Alice enter the floor of Hamilton's
quarters he followed her in, his heart stirred by no slight emotion. He
met the Governor's glare and parried it with one of equal haughtiness.
The veins on his forehead swelled and turned dark. He was in a mood to
do whatever desperate act should suggest itself.

When Hamilton fairly comprehended the message so graphically presented
by Alice, he rose from his seat by the fire.

"What's this you tell me?" he blurted. "You say you've shot Captain
Farnsworth?"

"Oui, Monsieur."

He stared a moment, then his features beamed with hate.

"And I'll have you shot for it, Miss, as sure as you stand there in
your silly impudence ogling me so brazenly!"

He leaned toward her as he spoke and sent with the words a shock of
coarse, passionate energy from which she recoiled as if expecting a
blow to follow it.

An irresistible impulse swept Beverley to Alice's side, and his
attitude was that of a protector. Helm sprang up.

A Lieutenant came in and respectfully, but with evident over-haste,
reported that Captain Farnsworth had been shot and was at Roussillon
place in care of the surgeon.

"Take this girl into custody. Confine her and put a strong guard over
her."

In giving the order Hamilton jerked his thumb contemptuously toward
Alice, and at the same time gave Beverley a look of supreme defiance
and hatred. When Helm began to speak he turned fiercely upon him and
stopped him wi