," he said nonchalantly.

"You shall put him back in his place."

"Come to me to-morrow morning, dear madame."

"I tell you he must be put back, Monsieur Doltaire."

"Once you called me Tinoir," he said meaningly.

Without a word she caught from her cloak a dagger and struck him in
the breast, though he threw up his hand and partly diverted the blow.
Without a cry he half swung round, and sank, face forward, against the
couch where Alixe lay.

Raising himself feebly, blindly, he caught her hand and kissed it; then
he fell back.

Stooping beside him, I felt his heart. He was alive. Madame Cournal now
knelt beside him, staring at him as in a kind of dream. I left the room
quickly, and met the Sisters of Mercy in the hall. They had heard the
noise, and were coming to Alixe. I bade them care for her. Passing
rapidly through the corridors, I told a servant of the household what
had occurred, bade him send for Bigot, and then made for my own safety.
Alixe was safe for a time, at least--perhaps forever, thank God!--from
the approaches of Monsieur Doltaire. As I sped through the streets, I
could not help but think of how he had kissed her hand as he fell, and I
knew by this act, at such a time, that in very truth he loved her after
his fashion.

I came soon to the St. John's Gate, for I had the countersign from
Gabord, and, dressed as I was, I had no difficulty in passing. Outside I
saw a small cavalcade arriving from Beauport way. I drew back and let
it pass me, and then I saw that it was soldiers bearing the Seigneur
Duvarney to the Intendance.

An hour afterwards, having passed the sentries, I stood on a lonely
point of the shore of Lower Town, and, seeing no one near, I slid into
the water. As I did so I heard a challenge behind me, and when I made
no answer there came a shot, another, and another; for it was thought, I
doubt not, that I was a deserter. I was wounded in the shoulder, and had
to swim with one arm; but though boats were put out, I managed to evade
them and to get within hail of our fleet. Challenged there, I answered
with my name. A boat shot out from among the ships, and soon I was
hauled into it by Clark himself; and that night I rested safe upon the
Terror of France.

XXVIII. "TO CHEAT THE DEVIL YET."

My hurt proved more serious than I had looked for, and the day after my
escape I was in a high fever. General Wolfe himself, having heard of my
return, sent to inquire after me. He also