Ojibway is a devoted friend of ours," said a harsh voice over
his shoulders.

He turned and saw the lowering face of Boucher, and once more he was
amazed. De Courcelles did not give the youth time to answer. Again he
laughingly waved Boucher away.

"Pierre, my friend," he said, "you seem to be seeking points of issue
tonight. Now, I refuse to let you and Mr. Lennox quarrel over the
manners, habits and personal characteristics of Tandakora. Come, Mr.
Lennox, I'm about to present you to a lady with whom you are going to
dance."

Robert went away with him and he saw that Boucher, who was left behind,
was frowning, but he danced with the lady and others, and as the
excitement of the moment mounted again to his head he forgot all about
Boucher. He saw too that de Galisonniere had abandoned his restraint,
and had plunged into the gayety with all the enthusiasm and delight of
one to whom pleasure was natural. After a while de Courcelles hooked his
arm again in Robert's and said: "Come, I'll show you something."

He led the way down a narrow passage, and then into a large apartment,
well lighted, though not so brilliantly as the ballroom. A clicking
sound had preceded their entrance, and Robert was aware that he was in
the famous gambling room of Monsieur Bigot. Nearly twenty men, including
the Intendant himself, Cadet and Pean, were there, gambling eagerly with
cards or dice.

And standing by one of the tables, a frown on his freckled face, Robert
also saw the man, Boucher.

CHAPTER XII

THE HUNTER AND THE BRAVO

Robert turned away, not wishing to meet Boucher again, as he felt that
the man would say something provocative, and, standing on one side with
de Courcelles, he watched the players. The air was heated, and the faces
of the men were strained and eager. It was all unwholesome to the last
degree, and he felt repulsion, yet it held him for the time with a
fascination due to curiosity. He saw Boucher begin to play and as the
latter held his cards, noticed again his thick and strong, but supple
wrists. Uncommon wrists they were, and Robert knew that an uncommon
amount of power was stored in them.

Bigot presently observed Robert, and asked him to play, but the lad
declined, and he was brave enough to say that he never played. Bigot
laughed and shook his head.

"Ah, you Puritan Bostonnais!" he said; "you'll never learn how to live."

Then he went back to his game.

"I think," said Robert, upon whom t