r Montigny disposes of nothing here," said Alvarez. "This is to be
done because I think it best."

Then he and Wyatt went out, but that afternoon when Alvarez was sitting in
the cool shadow of the pillared portico, there came to him a man, dusty,
and riding fast, who delivered to him a document sealed with red seals,
and important in appearance.

When Alvarez read the paper he frowned, and then cursed under his breath.
It was written in plain letters and its meaning was plain, also. It stated
that Bernardo Galvez, the Governor General at New Orleans, had learned
that his brave and loyal captain, Don Francisco Louis Philip Ferdinand
Alvarez, held in his possession four prisoners from Kaintock, persons of
daring, whose presence in Louisiana might be of great significance.
Therefore His Excellency, Bernardo Galvez, Governor General of Louisiana,
commanded his trusty and loyal captain, Don Francisco Louis Philip
Ferdinand Alvarez, to bring the aforesaid four prisoners, from Kaintock,
to New Orleans at once.

"At once!" repeated Alvarez angrily to himself. "That means not next week
but now, and I am compelled to obey. To refuse or to evade would make a
breach too soon."

He sent for Braxton Wyatt and told him of the letter. The renegade was
startled, but he counseled immediate obedience from motives of policy.

"How could Galvez have known?" said Alvarez. "How could the news have
reached New Orleans so soon?"

"Perhaps the priest has told," suggested Wyatt.

"No, that is impossible. He came from up river, and I am glad to say that
he left again in his canoe this morning. Those Capuchins to whom he
belongs shall be well punished, if I gain the power in Louisiana. They
shall be expelled, every one of them, from New Orleans, and their old
rivals, the Jesuits, shall take their place. It's one of the first things
that I mean to do."

"It would be a wise thing to do," said Braxton Wyatt. He cared nothing for
either Capuchin or Jesuit, but he hated and feared Father Montigny, and
would be glad to know that he was driven from the country.

"We must start in the morning," said Alvarez. "It will not take us long to
reach New Orleans by the river, and I can spin a tale that will lull the
suspicions of Galvez."

"You can prove many things by me," said Braxton Wyatt significantly.

"Yes, Senor Wyatt, you are a good lieutenant," said Alvarez, and he meant
it. "We will make our preparations to-night and start with a strong forc