. He knew what the Indian meant. He had done no more than
Menard himself had promised the council, in the name of Governor
Denonville, should be done. The lodges of the allies near the fort
sheltered many an Iroquois spy; whatever might follow would be known
in every Iroquois village before the week had passed. To hold
Teganouan for trial would mean war.

There was the tramp of feet on the beaten ground without, and a clear
voice said:--

"Wait a moment, I must report to Captain Menard."

Menard raised the latch an inch, then looked sharply at Teganouan. The
Indian stood quietly, leaning a little forward, waiting for the
decision. The Captain was on the point of speaking, but no word came
from his parted lips. The voices were now just outside the door. With
a long breath Menard's fingers relaxed, and the latch slipped back
into place. Then he motioned toward the wall ladder that reached up
into the darkness of the loft.

Teganouan turned, picked up the hatchet and thrust it into his belt,
took one quick glance about the room to make sure that no telltale
article remained, and slipped up the ladder. There was a loud knock on
the door, and Menard opened it. The Lieutenant came in.

"We have no word yet, Captain," he said. "Every building in the fort
has been searched. I have so few men that I could not divide them
until this was done, but I am just now sending out searching parties
through the Indian village and the forest. None of the canoes are
missing. Have I your approval?"

"Yes."

"You--you have been here since you left the hospital?"

"Yes."

"I think, then, that he must have had time to slip out before we knew
of it. There are many Indians here who would help him; but a few of
them can be trusted, I think, to join the search. Major d'Orvilliers
left me with only a handful of men. It will be difficult to accomplish
much until he returns. I will post a sentry at the sally-port; we
shall have to leave the bastions without a guard. I think it will be
safe, for the time."

"Very well, Lieutenant."

The Lieutenant saluted and hurried away. Menard closed the door, and
turned to the table, where were scattered the sheets on which he had
been writing his report. He collected them and read the report
carefully. He removed one leaf, and rolling it up, lighted it at the
candle, and held it until it was burned to a cinder. Then he read the
other sheets again. The report now told of his capture, of a part of
the