"If the Peace of Utrecht means aught."
"I have heard it said that no two minds were alike on that point," I commented dryly.
He laughed.
"There you are right," he agreed. "Yet it is beside the point. You are a trouble-maker, Monsieur. I must expel you. Wherever I found you I should expel you."
"Are the French at war with the English?" I asked hotly.
"Not that I have heard. You are later from civilization than I, Monsieur."
"Then why——"
He brushed the objection aside.
"We deal with realities, Monsieur Ormerod. 'Tis not a question of war but of peace—for France. As I have said, you are a trouble-maker. If I let you wander free, the next time I came this way you might have all the tribes by the ears, united by alliances with the English Crown. Heed me now when I say that France came first into this country, and France shall stay first here."
"But I say I have no interest in this country. I——"