He felt that he was standing on the verge of some tragic history.

Barre's sword again made a clear circle round him, and he said:
"Shame, Frenchmen! This gentleman is no spy. He is the friend of the
Governor--he is my friend. He is English? Well, where is the English
flag, there are the French--good French-protected. Where is the French
flag, there shall the English--good English--be safe."

As they moved towards the door Gabrielle came forward, and, touching
Shorland's arm, said in English: "You will come again, monsieur? You
shall be safe altogether. You will come?" Looking at her searchingly, he
answered slowly: "Yes, I will come."

As they left the turbulent crowd behind them and stepped into the
street, Barr$ said: "You should have gone at once to the Hotel du
Gouverneur and presented your letters, monsieur, or, at least, have
avoided the Cafe Voisin. Noumea is the Whitechapel and the Pentonville
of France, remember."

Shorland acknowledged his error, thanked his rescuer, enjoyed the
situation, and was taken to Governor Rapont, by whom he was cordially
received, and then turned over to the hospitality of the officers of the
post. It was conveyed to him later by letters of commendation from the
Governor that he should be free to go anywhere in the islands and to see
whatever was to be seen, from convict prison to Hotel Dieu.

II

Sitting that night in the rooms of Alencon Barre, this question was
put to Blake Shorland by his host: "What did Gabrielle say to you as we
left, monsieur? And why did she act so, when she saw the portrait? I do
not understand English well, and it was not quite clear."

Shorland had a clear conviction that he ought to take Alencon Barre into
his confidence. If Gabrielle Rouget should have any special connection
with Luke Freeman, there might be need of the active counsel of a friend
like this young officer, whose face bespoke chivalry and gentle birth.
Better that Alencon Barre should know all, than that he should know in
part and some day unwittingly make trouble. So he raised frank eyes to
those of the other, and told the story of the man whose portrait had so
affected Gabrielle Rouget.

"Monsieur," said he, "I will tell you of this man first, and then it
will be easier to answer your questions."

He took the portrait from his pocket, passed it over, and continued.
"I received this portrait in a letter from England the day that I left
Sydney, as I was getting aboard the boat