.

"Maps do not mean anything," he said. "Any military officer provides
himself with them whenever he can. He need not he at war with a country to
secure them."

"No, not in the case of ordinary maps, but here we have plans for an
attack upon the settlements in Kaintock. I find noted by the side of one
station in your handwriting: 'Could be destroyed easily with two cannon.'
It is obvious that you have exceeded your authority. How much further you
have gone is to be seen."

"Your Excellency, I protest against"--began Alvarez, but at that moment
the door was opened and Lieutenant Diego Bernal appeared upon the
threshold.

"What is this interruption? How dare you?" exclaimed the Governor General.

But the little Catalan was never more thoroughly master of himself. His
uniform was never more resplendent, and the lace at throat and sleeves
never fuller. He bore himself, too, with the utmost dignity because he
knew that he was about to make an announcement of the utmost importance.
Moreover, he was a favorite with Bernardo Galvez.

"Your Excellency," he said, with dramatic effect, "a man has come craving
immediate audience with you. He says that his news cannot wait, and, in
order to secure entrance at once to your presence, he has given me the
purport of it. He is here now."

A tall figure in a black robe, the face thin and austere, walked boldly
into the room. Mighty was the power of Holy Church in the colonies of
France and Spain and this priest who expected torture and death some day
feared neither Bernardo Galvez nor anybody else.

"Father Montigny!" exclaimed every one of the five and, "Father Montigny!"
repeated Francisco Alvarez and Braxton Wyatt. Bernardo Galvez rose from
his chair and saluted the priest courteously. He knew him well.

"What is this business, so urgent in its nature, Father," said the
Governor General.

"I came to Beaulieu when Captain Alvarez had set the bully upon this
youth," said Father Montigny, pointing to Paul.

"I have already acknowledged my fault there," exclaimed Alvarez. "It was
an impulse! Need I be accused of it again?"

Father Montigny turned his gaze upon Alvarez, and the Captain, bold as he
was, feared it more than that of Bernardo Galvez.

"That is but a preamble," continued the priest, the Governor General not
noticing the interruption, "but it caused me to take especial notice of
what might be occurring in Louisiana at the furthest limits of settlement.
I went the