tonight?"

"He accompanied me to the city, your excellency, but I have not seen
him since."

"Small need, with Francois at your beck and call," and he patted me
playfully on the cheek. "I have already tested his faithfulness. Your
father, Mademoiselle?"

"Captain Pierre la Chesnayne, sir."

"Ah, yes; I knew him well; he fell on the Richelieu; a fine soldier."
He turned toward Cassion, the expression of his face changed.

"You depart tonight?"

"At daybreak, sir."

"That is well; see to it that no time is lost on the journey. I have
it in my mind that De Baugis may need you, for, from all I hear Henri
de Tonty is not an easy man to handle."

"De Tonty?"

"Ay! the lieutenant Sieur de la Salle left in charge at St. Louis; an
Italian they tell me, and loyal to his master. 'Tis like he may resist
my orders, and De Baugis hath but a handful with which to uphold
authority. I am not sure I approve of your selecting this lad De
Artigny as a guide; he may play you false."

"Small chance he'll have for any trick."

"Perchance not, yet the way is long, and he knows the wilderness. I
advise you guard him well. I shall send to you for council in an hour;
there are papers yet unsigned."

He turned away to greet those who followed us in line, while we moved
forward into the crowd about the walls. Cassion whispered in my ear,
telling me bits of gossip about this and that one who passed us,
seeking to exhibit his wit, and impress me with his wide acquaintance.
I must have made fit response, for his voice never ceased, yet I felt
no interest in the stories, and disliked the man more than ever for
his vapid boasting. The truth is my thought was principally concerned
with De Artigny, and whether he would really gain admission. Still of
this I had small doubt, for his was a daring to make light of guards,
or any threat of enemies, if desire urged him on. And I had his
pledge.

My eyes watched every moving figure, but the man was not present, my
anxiety increasing as I realized his absence, and speculated as to its
cause. Could Cassion have interfered? Could he have learned of our
interview, and used his influence secretly to prevent our meeting
again? It was not impossible, for the man was seemingly in close touch
with Quebec, and undoubtedly possessed power. My desire to see De
Artigny was now for his own sake--to warn him of danger and treachery.
The few words I had caught passing between La Barre and Cassion had to
me a