e not the
worst. Louisiana and New Orleans can supply many a desperate villain of
their own."

"Sent by Europe!" said Paul.

"Truly so. An old country always seeks to disgorge such people upon a new
one. But Monsieur Gilibert, the proprietor of this inn, on the whole,
maintains good order among his customers. As you can now see, Monsieur
Gilibert is a man of parts."

The proprietor, wearing a cook's cap and white apron, emerged that moment
from his kitchen. He was not above supervising, and even doing his own
cooking, and, because of it, his inn had acquired a great reputation for
excellence of food, as well as drink.

Many of the French in New Orleans were Provencals, but Monsieur Gilibert
was from the North of France, a huge, flaxen-haired man with a large
square chin, and a fearless countenance. His blue eye roved around the
room and lighted upon the five and their host, Lieutenant Diego Bernal, at
the secluded table. He noted that every one of the five had a long rifle
leaning by his chair, and he shrewdly surmised that they were from the
wilderness of the far North.

Monsieur Francois Eugene Gilibert did not love the Spanish, although he
did like Lieutenant Diego Bernal, who was a Catalan and therefore, in the
opinion of Monsieur Gilibert, almost a Frenchman. Neither did he like the
passing of New Orleans from the French into the hands of the Spanish,
although trade was as good as ever at his Inn of Henri Quatre, despite the
narrow Spanish rule, which was not to his taste. It was perhaps one half
his love of freedom and one-half his objection to the rule of Spain that
made him look with friendly eyes upon any far wanderers from Kaintock.

He strolled to the table and greeted Lieutenant Bernal, who returned his
greeting pleasantly and gave the names of the five.

"They come from Kaintock," said the lieutenant, significantly, "and they
do not like Francisco Alvarez."

"Ah," said Monsieur Gilibert, who also spoke English. "I do not love that
man Alvarez. He is the enemy of the French."

"Not more than he is of Kaintock," said the Lieutenant. Then he turned to
the five and said:

"I did not bring you here merely to hear words. I wish something to drink
for my friends, kind Monsieur Gilibert. The inn has rum of both New
England and Barbadoes, Spanish and French wines. Now what shall it be?"

He turned to the five, and as they answered, one by one, the eyes of the
young Spanish lieutenant opened wider and wi