ny's hand was still on my shoulder, but his glance did not
seek my face.

"There is some low trick here, Barbeau," he began soberly, "but the
details are not clear. Madame has trusted me as a friend, and confided
all she knows, and I will tell the facts to you as I understand them.
False reports were made to France regarding Captain la Chesnayne. We
have not learned what they were, or who made them, but they were so
serious that Louis, by royal decree, issued order that his estates
revert to the crown. Later La Chesnayne's friends got the ear of the
King, no doubt through Frontenac, ever loyal to him, and by royal
order the estates were restored to his ownership. This order of
restoration reached Quebec soon after La Barre was appointed Governor,
and was never made public. It was suppressed by someone, and La
Chesnayne was killed three months later, without knowing that he had
won the favor of the King."

"But Cassion knew; he was ever hand in glove with La Barre."

"We have cause to suspect so, and now, after listening to your tale,
to believe that Captain la Chesnayne's death was part of a carefully
formed plot. By accident the lady here learned of the conspiracy,
through overhearing a conversation, but was discovered by La Barre
hiding behind the curtains of his office. To keep her quiet she was
forced into marriage with Francois Cassion, and bidden to accompany
him on this journey to Fort St. Louis."

"I see," commented Barbeau shrewdly. "Such marriage would place the
property in their control by law. Had Cassion sought marriage
previously?"

His eyes were upon me as he asked the question, and I answered him
frankly.

"He visited often at the home of my Uncle, Hugo Chevet, and, while he
never spoke to me directly of marriage, I was told he desired me for
his wife and at the palace he so presented me to Monsieur La Barre."

"On pledge of Chevet, no doubt. Your uncle knew of your fortune?"

"No; he supposed me penniless; he thought it a great honor done me by
the favorite of the Governor's. 'Twas my belief he expected some
reward for persuading me to accept the offer."

"And this Chevet--what became of him?"

"He accompanied us on the journey, also upon order of Monsieur la
Barre, who, no doubt, thought he would be safer in the wilderness than
in Quebec. He was murdered at St. Ignace."

"Murdered?"

"Ay, struck down from behind with a knife. No one knows who did it,
but Cassion has charged the crime ag