earn, and
Guienne--watched in silence. Well they might, for in this entr'acte
was the little weapon forged which opened the door of New France to
England's glory. So may the little talent or opportunity make possible
the genius of the great.

The pain of this suspense grew so, that I longed for some sound to break
the stillness; but there was nothing for minute after minute. Then, at
last, on the halcyon air of that summer day floated the Angelus from the
cathedral tower. Only a moment, in which one could feel, and see also,
the French army praying, then came from the ramparts the sharp inspiring
roll of a drum, and presently all was still again. Nearer and nearer the
boat of prisoners approached the stone steps of the landing, and we were
several hundred yards behind.

I motioned to Doltaire to stop, but he made no sign. I saw the cloaked
figures of the nuns near him, and I strained my eyes, but I could not
note their faces. My men worked on ardently, and presently we gained.
But I saw that it was impossible to reach them before they set foot on
shore. Now their boat came to the steps, and one by one they hastily got
out. Then I called twice to Doltaire to stop. The air was still, and
my voice carried distinctly. Suddenly one of the cloaked figures sprang
towards the steps with arms outstretched, calling aloud, "Robert!
Robert!" After a moment, "Robert, my husband!" rang out again, and then
a young officer and the other nun took her by the arm to force her
away. At the sharp instigation of Doltaire, instantly some companies
of marines filed in upon the place where they had stood, leveled their
muskets on us, and hid my beloved wife from my view. I recognized the
young officer who had put a hand upon Alixe. It was her brother Juste.

"Alixe! Alixe!" I called, as my boat still came on.

"Save me, Robert!" came the anguished reply, a faint but searching
sound, and then no more.

Misery and mystery were in my heart all at once. Doltaire had tricked
me. "Those batteries can not harm her now!" Yes, yes, they could not
while she was a prisoner in our camp. "Done with the world!" Truly, when
wearing the garb of the Sister Angelique. But why that garb? I swore
that I would be within that town by the morrow, that I would fetch my
wife into safety, out from the damnable arts and devices of Master Devil
Doltaire, as Gabord had called him.

The captain of the marines called to us that another boat's length would
fetch upon u