r the madman but saw him not. The
weirdness of the place, the horror of its secret, crept into my blood.
I became afraid. Down the bleak road I picked my way, glancing
fearsomely over my shoulder. I fain would have fled as had the lad.

I found my horse re-equipped. Still shuddering I mounted, scarce
daring to look backwards at the cursed pile. Then, with the madman's
story surging in my brain, I dug savage spurs into my steed and
galloped desperately onward through the night.

CHAPTER XX

FROM THE PATH OF DUTY

It was about ten of the clock when I reached Dieppe. Soon thereafter I
was well aboard le Dauphin, Serigny himself meeting me at the vessel's
side.

"Hullo, Placide," he cried. "All goeth well, and the passing night
gives promise to us of a brighter day."

Later, in his own cabin, he told me of a brief meeting he had with
Louis.

"For the time we are safe. The King is restless about the safety of
the province, and he trusts Bienville as a soldier. The Spanish
intrigue keeps our enemies so busy they have not time to disturb us.
The King has no man who can take Bienville's place. Well, it's all
happily over, and I am as delighted as a child to be at sea again. We
would sail at once, now that you are come, were it not for de la Mora;
he, with his wife and another lady, are to bear us company. The
Chevalier is a thorough soldier, and I welcome him, but like not the
presence of the ladies. We may have rough work betimes."

I knew my face grew pale, and thanked the half-light for concealment,
or he must have noted. Who that "other lady" was, possessed for me no
interest, and I never asked.

De la Mora. This was terrible, and so unforeseen. Full well I knew I
could not spend five long weeks in daily contact with Agnes and give no
betraying sign. I must needs have time to think, and that right
speedily.

"When do they come, sire?"

"Any moment; they left--or should have done so--the same time as
yourself. His orders were the same."

Rapidly as a man could think, so thought I.

"How long will you wait for them?"

"Until dawn, no longer. Then we sail."

A glimmer of hope--de la Mora might be delayed. Without any clearly
defined purpose I went on and carefully gave Serigny every detail of
information which could be valuable touching the expected trouble in
the colonies. Of this my hands should, in any event, be clean. I even
handed him the King's new commission directed to B