them from the gloom, saying in a sharp, aching voice:
"Stop, stop! Oh, what madness!" The points dropped and they stepped
back. She stood between them, looking from one to the other. At that
moment Morris burst in also. "In God's name," he said, "is this your
honouring of the king's governor! Ye that have eat and drunk at his
table the night! Have ye nae sense o' your manhood, young gentlemen,
that for a mad gossip ower the wine ye wend into the dark to cut each
other's throats? Think--think shame, baith o' ye, being as ye are of
them that should know better."

Gering moodily put on his coat and held his peace. Iberville tossed his
sword aside, and presently wrung the blood from his white sleeve. The
girl saw him, and knew that he was wounded. She snatched a scarf from
her waist and ran towards him. "You are wounded," she said. "Oh, take
this!"

"I am so much sorry, indeed," he answered coolly, winding the scarf
about his arm. "Mistress Leveret came too soon."

His face wore a peculiar smile, but his eyes burned with anger; his
voice was not excited. Immediately, however, as he looked at Jessica,
his mood seemed to change.

"Morris," he said, "I am sorry. Mademoiselle," he added, "pardon! I
regret whatever gives you pain." Gering came near to her, and Iberville
could see that a flush stole over Jessica's face as he took her hand and
said: "I am sorry--that you should have known."

"Good!" said Iberville, under his breath. "Good! he is worth fighting
again."

A moment afterwards Morris explained to them that if the matter could
be hushed he would not impart it to the governor--at least, not until
Iberville had gone. Then they all started back towards the house. It
did not seem incongruous to Iberville and Gering to walk side by side;
theirs was a superior kind of hate. They paused outside the door, on
Morris's hint, that he might see if the coast was clear, and return the
swords to their place on the wall.

Jessica turned in the doorway. "I shall never forgive you," she
said, and was swallowed by the darkness. "Which does she mean?" asked
Iberville, with a touch of irony. The other was silent.

In a moment Morris came back to tell them that they might come, for the
dining-room was empty still.

CHAPTER V

THE FRUITS OF THE LAW

Bucklaw having convinced the governor and his friends that down in the
Spaniards' country there was treasure for the finding, was told that
he might come again next morning. H