"The old man goes to By-by bientot," said Pierre at last.
"You don't think he'll last long?"
"Maybe ten days; maybe one. If we don't get the girl, out goes his torchlight straight."
"She's been very good to him."
"He's been on his knees to her all her life."
"There'll be trouble out of this, though."
"Pshaw! The girl is her own master."
"I mean, someone will probably get hurt over there." He nodded in the direction of Fort O'Battle.
"That's in the game. The girl is worth fighting for, hein?"
"Of course, and the law must protect her. It's a free country."