an who has found his cousin
and whose mission is over. He is grateful for our hospitality, he is
grateful to you, he is grateful to everybody. How much shall we
believe?"

"Not more than is necessary."

"Montlivet, be frank. What do you make of the man?"

I looked down. "He is a compelling man. He has a hero's frame."

"I am not blind. I asked what the frame housed."

With hate in my throat I tried to speak justly. "He has an intelligent
mind, but a coward's spirit. I think the two elements war in him
ceaselessly. I would not trust him, monsieur. Is he on friendly terms
with Pemaou now?"

"I do not know."

"I wish you would find out for me. You have agents."

"Madame de Montlivet could tell you."

I felt Cadillac's eyes. "I shall not question Madame de Montlivet
about her cousin."

Perhaps my tone was weary. It is hard to hold up a shield night and
day. I was conscious that Cadillac's look altered. He withdrew his
glance; he pushed a hand toward me.

"It is a shame, Montlivet."

"Shall we let it go without discussion, monsieur?"

"No. Montlivet, you are more a fool than any man I ever knew. You
have more strained ideas. You are preposterous. You belong to the
Middle Ages. Every one says so. Let me speak."

"Not about my marriage, monsieur."

"Why not? I am responsible. I let you saddle yourself with the
situation. You did it partly to save me. You are always doing some
crack-brained thing like that. I tell you, you are more a fool than I
ever knew. Perhaps that is the reason that we all went into mourning
when we thought the Iroquois had you."

"Monsieur! Monsieur!"

"No, wait, wait! I got you into this, I shall get you out. Unless the
Indians make trouble I shall send Starling home with a convoy of my own
Indians. Your--the woman shall go with him. Then we will see what can
be done about the marriage. The story shall go to the Vatican."

I moved the candles that I might see his face without the play of light
and shadow between.

"Monsieur, you forget. The story that you speak of is mine. If I wish
to refer it to the Vatican, I, myself, take it there. As to Madame de
Montlivet,--she may wish to go east with her cousin; she may wish to
remain here. The decision will rest with her. Monsieur?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"I may depend on you not to mention what we have just said to any one?"

He gave me his hand. "Naturally, monsieur."

His tone touched me.

"T