n as Cavaliers. Some of your
best blood in the Old Dominion descended from them. I believe it isn't
so much what people have as the way they use it. I've seen those who
were getting along finely until something more was added to them, then
make a failure of it. Take your hero, Morgan; what did he have but his
own courage and brains and powerful body? He's made the most of what
he had. Had he been born a duke he might not have done so well."

"Could he have done what he has in your country, where your dukes are
born with the privilege of lording it over the Morgans?"

"Rodney, you argue well. Where did you learn? I forget your father.
You are indeed his son. Must you go? Well, here is a packet, of which
I wish you to take charge. When you learn that I am dead, and the
doctor tells me my heart is about worn out, you are to open the packet
and I am sure will do right with what you find there."

Rodney hesitated, and the man, noticing his hesitation, said, "You
will not regret it. You believe me, don't you?"

Looking into the face of the man, Rodney had it not in his heart to
say no. Somehow, and he was almost ashamed to admit it to himself, he
did believe. This man, who, under the guise of friendliness, once had
robbed him, this gambler, literally compelled his liking.

When Allison had finished the business for which he had come, and was
about to leave, he noticed the camp doctor hurrying to the Chevalier's
cabin. With fear in his heart he followed. The fear was realized. The
man who had been known to him as the "Chevalier" was dead. Rodney
helped prepare the body. He had performed similar services for friends
who had died in camp. It was not a duty from which he would flinch.
Yet he started back, his face was pale. The doctor noticed the
agitation and sought the cause. Young Allison was staring at tattoo
marks on the right arm of the body. These represented a closed hand
gripping a sword. Rodney had seen the exact counterpart of that on the
right arm of little Louis, who had told him, "Papa put it there!"

CHAPTER XXIX

WHAT THE PACKAGE CONTAINED

"What's the trouble here, Rodney?" asked Angus, shouldering his way in
through a throng of the curious, assembled about the door of the
cabin.

The hearty voice of his friend helped Rodney to collect himself.
"There has been a sudden death; he was a man I knew," he replied.

"I reckon you've lost a good friend," said Angus, when he saw the face
of the figure