vard is the Spanish spy--"

"Yvard, Yvard," I mentally repeated, where had I heard that name?

"These papers are to give our exact strength at Biloxi, the plans of
our fortifications, and a chart of all the navigable waters of
Louisiana. We can not afford to let the Spaniards have this
information, even if thereby we should capture their agent."

I maintained a strict silence.

"You understand le Dauphin is the last vessel over, and no other is
expected for months, so we think all this information came over with
you."

When he began I instinctively thought of Levert, who set out alone for
Paris just behind me. As he proceeded, the name "Yvard" again fixed my
attention. The very name I had heard mentioned by one of the men the
morning I left Biloxi. Serigny was right in his surmise, but I let him
go on without interruption.

"If I am correct, these plans will be perfected in Paris before le
Dauphin sails again. The spy, whoever he may be, will perhaps want to
return in her. Now you can see what I want. You can understand what a
help you may possibly be in this matter. You doubtless know every
person who came over in le Dauphin, yet you must avoid notice yourself,
for they would suspect you instantly."

I still said nothing to him of the conversation I had overheard, or of
my own suspicions, childishly thinking I would gain the greater credit
by unearthing the whole affair and divulging it at one time.

"We have some reliable fellows in Paris, and I will send such letters
as will put you in possession of all the information they have. You
and they, I trust, can do the work satisfactorily, but in no event
shall my name, or that of Bienville, be connected with the enterprise.
If the matter should come to the King, we would lose what little hold
we now have upon him. It is not an easy or an agreeable task. The
Spanish spy bears the name of Carne Yvard, a man of good birth, but a
gambler and a profligate. He is known throughout Paris as a reckless
gamester, but no man dare question him, because of his marvellous skill
with the sword. He spends much of his time at Bertrand's wine and card
rooms, though he has the _entree_ at some of the most fashionable
houses in the city, even at Madame du Maine's exclusive Villa of
Sceaux. But thereby hangs his employment; we do not know how far
Madame is involved in this intrigue with Spain and the Bretons."

Verily I felt encouraged as Serigny unfolded his charming