. My mind,--though I strove
to cast the thought aside,--was still occupied with the mystery of Elsa
Matherson; but the more I dwelt upon it, the less I was able to
penetrate the secret of her strange presence in the Indian camp, or
devise any scheme for reaching her. The ache in my heart made me dread
to meet again with Mademoiselle Toinette, lest I should utter words of
reproach which she did not deserve; for, sad as such a confession was,
I had to acknowledge that she had a perfect right to protect the man
she loved, even at my cost.

Nor did I greatly desire to run upon De Croix. I knew his temper
fairly well, and doubtless by this time he had learned the story of my
interference, and would be in fit mood for a quarrel. Still, as seems
often to be the case at such a time, before I had taken a dozen steps
away from the gate, I met him face to face. It was a jaunty picture he
made in the glare of the fire, the fine gentleman sauntering lazily
about, with hat of bleached straw pushed rakishly upon his powdered
hair, and a light cane dangling at his wrist, as fashionably attired as
if he were loitering upon the boulevards of an August evening, his
negro man a yard behind, bearing a silken fan which flashed golden in
the radiance. At sight of him, I stopped instantly, ready enough to
resent attack if that had been his purpose, though anxious to avoid
violence for the sake of Mademoiselle. But he merely laughed as he
surveyed me critically, swinging his bamboo stick as if it were a
whip-lash.

"_Parbleu_, Master Wayland!" he said, seeming in rare good-humor, "I
this moment learned of your safe return. 'T would have been an
excellent joke had the savage found excuse to retain you out yonder, to
form a part of one of their delightful entertainments! Fit revenge,
indeed, for the foul deceit you played upon me!"

"Think you so, Monsieur?" for his easy words relieved me greatly. "It
would have been one less arm for our defence."

"With safe convoy guaranteed by the Indian chiefs, that loss would make
small odds," he replied carelessly. "But, truly, that was a most
scurvy trick you played to gain the wager which was offered me. But
for the happy ending, I should be sorely tempted to break this cane
across your shoulders in payment therefor."

"Indeed!" I said; "the act might not be as easily accomplished as you
imagine. But what mean you by happy ending? Had the savages roasted
me over a slow fire, I should h