cts."

"Then I will, Monsieur," I said gravely. "It was because of my belief
that Sieur de Artigny would refuse explanation that I sent for you.
The truth need not be concealed; not from you, at least, the commander
of Fort St. Louis--"

"Pardon, Madame, but I am not that. La Salle left me in command with
less than a dozen men. De Baugis came later, under commission from La
Barre, but he also had but a handful of followers. To save quarrel we
agreed to divide authority, and so got along fairly well, until M.
Cassion arrived with his party. Then the odds were altogether on the
other side, and De Baugis assumed command by sheer force of rifles.
'Twas La Salle's wish that no resistance be made, but, faith, with the
Indians scattered, I had no power. This morning things have taken a
new phase. An hour ago M. Cassion assumed command of the garrison by
virtue of a commission he produced from the Governor La Barre, naming
him major of infantry. This gives him rank above Captain de Baugis,
and, besides, he bore also a letter authorizing him to take command of
all French troops in this valley, if, in his judgment, circumstances
rendered it necessary. No doubt he deemed this the proper occasion."

"To assure the conviction, and death of De Artigny?" I asked, as he
paused. "That is your meaning, Monsieur?"

"I cannot see it otherwise," he answered slowly, "although I hesitate
to make so grave a charge in your presence, Madame. Our situation here
is scarcely grave enough to warrant his action, for the fort is in no
serious danger from the Iroquois. De Baugis, while no friend of mine,
is still a fair minded man, and merciful. He cannot be made a tool for
any purpose of revenge. This truth Major Cassion has doubtless
learned, and hence assumes command himself to carry out his plans."

I looked into the soldier's dark, clear-cut face, feeling a confidence
in him, which impelled me to hold out my hand.

"M. de Tonty," I said, determined now to address him in all frankness.
"It is true that I am legally the wife of this man of whom you speak,
but this only enables me to know his motives better. This condemnation
of Sieur de Artigny is not his plan alone; it was born in the brain of
La Barre, and Cassion merely executes his orders. I have here the
written instructions under which he operates."

I held out to him the page from La Barre's letter.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE COURT MARTIAL

De Tonty took the paper from my hand,