"Evening Dew frets. You should send her home—all the more that it makes some people talk," he added.
"Who has dared?" said Tom Mitchell, frowning.
"Stewart. But don't worry; I settled him by blowing his brains out, and no one else has since made an observation."
"All right. What about the river?"
"Five men went down in a canoe yesterday. It was the squatter of the valley, his two sons, and black servants."
"Where on earth could he be going to?" mused Tom.
"Well, we can find out by stopping him on his return."
"I'll see about it. Anything else?"
"Hum! You have had Major Ardenwood's letter asking an interview today? Oh, yes! There are some Frenchmen at the fort, at all events, one of them. Still I am aware that three strangers will accompany the major."
"Whom did you send out to inquire?"