."

De Artigny stepped between us, smiling in good humor.

"My call was upon you, Monsieur Chevet, and not the young lady," he
said quietly enough, yet with a tone to the voice. "I merely asked her
if I had found the right place, and if, Monsieur, the Commissaire
Cassion was still your guest."

"And what may I ask might be your business with the Commissaire
Cassion?" asked the latter, pressing past Chevet, yet bowing with a
semblance of politeness, scarcely in accord with the studied insolence
of his words. "I have no remembrance of your face."

"Then, Monsieur Cassion is not observant," returned the younger man
pleasantly, "as I accompanied the Sieur de la Salle in his attempt to
have audience with the governor."

"Ah!" the word of surprise exploded from the lips. "_Sacre!_ 'tis
true! My faith, what difference clothes make. I mistook you for a
_courier du bois_."

"I am the Sieur Rene de Artigny."

"Lieutenant of La Salle's?"

"Scarcely that, Monsieur, but a comrade; for three years I have been
with his party, and was chosen by him for this mission."

Cassion laughed, chucking the gloomy-faced Chevet in the side, as
though he would give point to a good joke.

"And little the trip hither has profited either master or man, I
warrant. La Barre does not sell New France to every adventurer.
Monsieur de la Salle found different reception in Quebec than when
Frontenac ruled this colony. Where went the fur-stealer?"

"To whom do you refer?"

"To whom? Heaven help us, Chevet, the man would play nice with words.
Well, let it go, my young cock, and answer me."

"You mean the Sieur de la Salle?"

"To be sure; I called him no worse than I have heard La Barre speak.
They say he has left Quebec; what more know you?"

"'Tis no secret, Monsieur," replied De Artigny quietly enough,
although there was a flash in his eyes, as they met mine. "The Sieur
de la Salle has sailed for France."

"France! Bah! you jest; there has been no ship outward bound."

"The _Breton_ paused at St. Roche, held by the fog. When the fog
lifted there was a new passenger aboard. By dawn the Indian paddlers
had me landed in Quebec."

"Does La Barre know?"

"Faith! I could not tell you that, as he has not honored me with
audience."

Cassion strode back and forth, his face dark with passion. It was not
pleasant news he had been told, and it was plain enough he understood
the meaning.

"By the saints!" he exclaimed. "'Tis a sly fox to bre