since he was brought here. Sometimes he calls himself Jasmin, and says
he has betrayed his master for money, like Judas; sometimes he raves
about a letter which he says he wants to show, and then again he don't,
just as he happens to be better or worse; sometimes he talks about a
Madame de Valricour; but one does not mind what a man like that talks
about."

"No, no, of course not," replied the baron hurriedly. "As you have
always attended to him you can do so still. He sees no one else, I
suppose?"

"Of course not," said the man; "I've been used to this kind of work
before, sir--more's the pity--and I know my duty." Whereupon the new
commandant, after a special injunction to the man to be watchful,
returned to his own apartment.

"Yes, it is plain enough," said he, as he mused over what he had just
witnessed. "They did seize the wrong man, and Isidore is no doubt at
large; that is something to be thankful for at all events. I am very
much afraid, however, that my lady the baroness has been more deeply
concerned in this business than Beaujardin cared to tell me. Well, I
can let Marguerite know that her husband is safe, and that I will make
her hard fate as light as I can till something can be done."

With these words he rose, and passing along the corridor to the other
end of the fort, presently reached the door of the apartment allotted
to Gabrielle. He knocked gently at the door, but no answer was
returned. He knocked again, and for the third time, then he
impatiently pushed open the door.

The prisoner was standing at the opposite end of the room, and as she
turned towards him he noticed the long black veil which was thrown over
her head, and covered her face, descending almost to the ground.

"Marguerite!" said he, scarce able to hide his emotion, "Marguerite!
Do you not remember me?"

She started; at first she had not recognised him, but the voice soon
recalled to her recollection the kindness and sympathy he had shown to
her when they first met at Quebec the year before. Still she made no
answer.

"Why so silent?" said he, in some surprise. "You may lift your veil to
me, for I am thankful to say that I am the new commandant of this
place, and my heartfelt wish is to comfort you, and help you if I can."

There was a brief pause, then the veil was lifted, and revealed the
face of Amoahmeh.

It was some little time before the baron could recover from the shock.

"What is all this?" he at last