ade, "is from Kentucky. We
were boys together but he deserted the white people, his own people, to go
with the red. He has continually urged the Indian attack upon us and he
has brought to Captain Alvarez complete maps of every settlement in
Kentucky, Wareville, Marlowe, Lexington, Harrodsburg, and all the others.
Why is he here! Why has he come to New Orleans, if not to bind the red
chiefs and Captain Alvarez together in such an enterprise?"

Alvarez again burst into a laugh, ironical and taunting. Paul flushed
deeply.

"I know," he exclaimed, "that we cannot bring you absolute proofs, but it
is true, nevertheless. The Indian chiefs, Yellow Panther and Red Eagle,
have his agreement made without any authority from you, and there are the
maps."

"A map does not necessarily mean war," said Alvarez, "even if they should
exist, and they do not exist. I took these people, arms in hand, upon His
Majesty's soil, and it was my intention to bring them to New Orleans for
examination and punishment by you."

"Doubtless it is so," said Bernardo Galvez, "but you were in no hurry to
perform the mission. I was forced to send a message to you at Beaulieu to
come to New Orleans with your prisoners, but it seems they have escaped
and come of their own accord."

"And I may state, your Excellency," said Henry Ware rising, "that while my
comrade, Paul Cotter, was a prisoner at Beaulieu, he was forced into a
ring and a professional swordsman was set upon him. That, Captain Alvarez
cannot deny. It was witnessed by too many people."

Bernardo Galvez gave Alvarez a surprised and stern look. The captain
winced, but it was only for a moment.

"Is this true, Don Francisco?" asked the Governor General gravely. "Did
you do this thing?"

Alvarez made a gesture as if It were true, but yet a trifle.

"I confess, Your Excellency," he said. "I had forgotten the circumstance,
but, since I am reminded of it, I will not deny. The thing seems much
worse in the telling than it was in the happening. The young man had shown
great skill with the sword--he had disarmed me in a little encounter; I
admit that, too--and we wished to test his agility and courage against a
master, who was instructed not to hurt him seriously under any
circumstances."

He spoke rapidly and lightly, almost convincingly. But Henry Ware
interrupted.

"His object," he said, "was to have Paul Cotter killed."

Bernardo Galvez looked from one to the other and back again. It was