to
admit her she would learn important matters concerning herself--the
Intendant and the Baron de St. Castin--speedily arrive in the Colony.'
That throws light upon the mystery, Cadet! A woman was to have an
interview with Caroline at midnight! Good God, Cadet! not two hours
before we arrived! And we deferred starting in order that we might rook
the Signeur de Port Neuf! Too late! too late! Oh cursed word that ever
seals our fate when we propose a good deed!" and Bigot felt himself a
man injured and neglected by Providence.

"'Important matters relating to herself,'" repeated Bigot, reading
again the scrap of writing. "'The Intendant and the Baron de St.
Castin--speedily to arrive in the Colony.' No one knew but the sworn
Councillors of the Governor that the Baron de St. Castin was coming out
to the Colony. A woman has done the deed, and she has been informed of
secrets spoken in Council by some Councillor present on that day at the
Castle. Who was he? and who was she?" questioned Bigot, excitedly.

"The argument runs like water down hill, Bigot! but, par Dieu! I would
not have believed that New France contained two women of such mettle as
the one to contrive, the other to execute, a masterpiece of devilment
like that!"

"Since we find another hand in the dish, it may not have been Angelique
after all," remarked Bigot. "It is hard to believe one so fair and
free-spoken guilty of so dark and damnable a crime." Bigot would
evidently be glad to find himself in error touching his suspicions.

"Fairest without is often foulest within, Bigot," answered Cadet,
doggedly. "Open speech in a woman is often an open trap to catch fools!
Angelique des Meloises is free-spoken and open-handed enough to deceive
a conclave of cardinals; but she has the lightest heels in the city.
Would you not like to see her dance a ballet de triomphe on the broad
flagstone I laid over the grave of that poor girl? If you would, you
have only to marry her, and she will give a ball in the secret chamber!"

"Be still, Cadet! I could take you by the throat for suggesting it! But
I will make her prove herself innocent!" exclaimed Bigot, angry at the
cool persistence of Cadet.

"I hope you will not try it to-day, Bigot." Cadet spoke gravely now.
"Let the dead sleep, and let all sleeping dogs and bitches lie still.
Zounds! we are in greater danger than she is! you cannot stir in this
matter without putting yourself in her power. Angelique has got hold of