wont, young and careless, but marked by thought and
perplexity. Something strong and earnest in the character of the man,
brought forth by this emergency, seemed to stamp itself on his
features. If I had ever before imagined him to be a mere reckless
youth, with that moment such conception vanished, and I knew I was to
rely on the experience of a man--a man trained in a rough wilderness
school, yet with mind and heart fitted to meet any emergency. The
knowledge brought me boldness.

"You would question me, Monsieur," I asked doubtfully. "It was for
that you led me here?"

"Yes," instantly aroused by my voice, but with eyes still scanning the
trail. "And there is no time to waste, if I am to do my part
intelligently. You must return below before the sun disappears, or
Monsieur Cassion might suspect you had lost your way. You have sought
me for assistance, counsel perhaps, but this state of affairs has so
taken me by surprise that I do not think clearly. You have a plan?"

"Scarcely that, Monsieur. I would ascertain the truth, and my only
means of doing so is through a confession by Francois Cassion."

"And he is too cold-blooded a villain to ever acknowledge guilt. To my
mind the methods of Chevet would be most likely to bring result."

"But not to mine, Monsieur," I interrupted earnestly. "The man is not
so cold-blooded as you imagine. Arrogant he is, and conceited, deeming
himself admired, and envied by all, especially my sex. He has even
dared boast to me of his victims. But therein lies his very weakness;
I would make him love me."

He turned now, and looked searchingly into my face, no glimpse of a
smile in the gray eyes.

"Pardon; I do not understand," he said gravely. "You seek his love?"

I felt his manner a rebuke, a questioning of my honesty, and swift
indignation brought the answering words to my lips.

"And why not pray! Must I not defend myself--and what other weapons
are at hand? Do I owe him kindness; or tender consideration? The man
married me as he would buy a slave."

"You may be justified," he admitted regretfully. "Yet how is this to
be done?"

I arose to my feet, and stood before him, my face uplifted, and, with
one hand, thrust aside the shade of my hat.

"Monsieur, deem you that impossible?"

His lips parted in a quick smile, revealing the white teeth, and he
bowed low, flinging his hat to the ground, and standing bareheaded.

"_Mon Dieu_! No! Monsieur Cassion is to be congratulate