Looking through a crack in the floor, I could plainly see them. She took
the letter from him and read aloud:

"If Gabord the soldier have a good heart still, as ever he had in the
past, he will again help a poor friendless woman. She needs him, for all
are against her. Will he leave her alone among her enemies? Will he not
aid her to fly? At eight o'clock to-morrow night she will be taken to
the Convent of the Ursulines, to be there shut in. Will he not come to
her before that time?"

For a moment after the reading there was silence, and I could see the
woman looking at him curiously. "What will you do?" she asked.

"My faith, there's nut to crack, for I have little time. This letter but
reached me with the news of Jean, two hours ago, and I know not what to
do, but, scratching my head, here comes word from General Montcalm that
I must ride to Master Devil Doltaire with a letter, and I must find him
wherever he may be, and give it straight. So forth I come; and I must be
at my post again by morn, said the General."

"It is now nine o'clock, and she will be in the convent," said the woman
tentatively.

"Aho!" he answered, "and none can enter there but Governor, if holy
Mother say no. So now goes Master Devil there? 'Gabord,' quoth he, 'you
shall come with me to the convent at ten o'clock, bringing three stout
soldiers of the garrison. Here's an order on Monsieur Ramesay, the
Commandant. Choose you the men, and fail me not, or you shall swing
aloft, dear Gabord.' Sweet lovers of hell, but Master Devil shall have
swinging too one day." He put his thumb to his nose, and spread his
fingers out.

Presently he seemed to note something in the woman's eyes, for he spoke
almost sharply to her: "Jean Labrouk was honest man, and kept faith with
comrades."

"And I keep faith too, comrade," was the answer.

"Gabord's a brute to doubt you," he rejoined quickly, and he drew
from his pocket a piece of gold, and made her take it, though she much
resisted.

Meanwhile my mind was made up. I saw, I thought, through "Master
Devil's" plan, and I felt, too, that Gabord would not betray me. In any
case, Gabord and I could fight it out. If he opposed me, it was his life
or mine, for too much was at stake, and all my plans were now changed
by his astounding news. At that moment Voban entered the room without
knocking. Here was my cue, and so, to prevent explanations, I crept
quickly down, opened the door, came in on them.

They whee