acide," he said, "it grieves me to the soul for you to leave me. I
love you, boy, as I do my own flesh. You have served me truly, always
with affection and honor. I respect your silence now, and ask you for
no confidences not your own. Serigny has told me how faithful you were
in Paris, and what he heard from others of your interview with the
King. Placide, my lad, even now it fires my blood to think of a boy of
mine standing before the mighty Louis, surrounded by our enemies, and
daring to tell the truth. It was glorious, glorious, and it saved your
Governor. I had minded me in an idle day to hear it all from your own
lips. Perhaps, some day, who knows, it may yet come. You will lose
not an hour in leaving Biloxi, and I have your word to engage in no
encounter?"

"Aye, sire, you have my word."

"Good-by, Placide."

I had dropped upon my knee, and, taking his hand, kissed it gently. He
turned back into his room, shut the door, and left me alone in the
hall. I walked thence straightway to my own quarters, put on hastily
the garb of the forest and made all readiness. My toilet was not
elaborate, and a short half hour found me completely equipped for the
journey.

Leaving Biloxi, unaccompanied, like a thief in the night, I set out,
and having reached the Bay winded a horn until Pachaco heard, then sat
me down to wait for his boat.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE CHILDREN OF THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED

According to the Governor's recollection, I had been gone only a short
space when a peremptory knock came upon his door. He opened it, and
there stood the Chevalier de la Mora, dishevelled and with evidences of
haste, but courteous as was his wont.

"I desire to speak with Captain de Mouret, at once, at once."

"That you can not do; he has gone. Chevalier, I am astonished. Had I
not a gentleman's parole that you should remain in your house this
night?"

"You had, sire, but the conditions were urgent, and see, I have sought
Captain de Mouret without arms, so no breach could occur between us."

"Fortunately, M. le Chevalier, Captain de Mouret has consented to leave
this colony to-night, and before the day dawns he will doubtless be
many miles away."

The Chevalier heard like one dumb and undecided, a great doubt tugging
at his heart. He departed unsteadily in the direction of the barracks.

"Here, my good fellow, hast seen Captain de Mouret?" he inquired of a
straggler.

The man saluted.

"Yes, sire, h