hear. Doubtless you could convict me as easily."

"What do you mean?"

"Only that your whole case is a tissue of lies."

"Pah! you have her word for it, no doubt. But you will all sing a
different song presently. Ay, and it will be her testimony which will
hang the villain."

"What is this you say, Monsieur--my testimony?"

"Just that--the tale of what you saw in the Mission garden at St.
Ignace. _Sacre_, that shot hits, does it! You thought me asleep, and
with no knowledge of your escapade, but I had other eyes open that
night, my lady. Now will you confess the truth?"

"I shall conceal nothing, Monsieur."

"'Twill be best that you make no attempt," he sneered, his old
braggart spirit reasserting itself as De Tonty kept silent. "I have
guard here to escort you to the Commandant's office."

"You do me honor." I turned to De Tonty. "Shall I go, Monsieur?"

"I think it best, Madame," he replied soberly, his dark eyes
contemptuously surveying Cassion. "To refuse would only strengthen the
case against the prisoner. M. Cassion will not, I am sure, deny me the
privilege of accompanying you. Permit me to offer my arm."

I did not glance toward Cassion, but felt no doubt as to the look on
his face; yet he would think twice before laying hand on this stern
soldier who had offered me protection. The guard at the door fell
aside promptly, and permitted us to pass. Some order was spoken, in a
low tone, and they fell in behind with rifles at trail. Once in the
open I became, for the first time, aware of irregular rifle firing,
and observed in surprise, men posted upon a narrow staging along the
side of the log stockade.

"Is the fort being attacked?" I asked.

"There has been firing for some days," he answered, "but no real
attack. The savages merely hide yonder amid the rocks and woods, and
strive to keep us from venturing down the trail. Twice we have made
sortie, and driven them away, but 'tis a useless waste of fighting."
He called to a man posted above the gate. "How is it this morning,
Jules?"

The soldier glanced about cautiously, keeping his head below cover.

"Thick as flies out there, Monsieur," he answered, "and with a
marksman or two among them. Not ten minutes since Bowain got a ball in
his head."

"And no orders to clear the devils out?"

"No, Monsieur--only to watch that they do not form for a rush."

The Commandant's office was built against the last stockade--a log hut
no more pretentious than