"Hum; that's very vague at this hour of the night," the voice continued, with a grin that augured ill for the success of the mediation the She-wolf had commenced.
"Who are you?"
"A woman, and a white woman too, as you can see by my dress and accent."
"It may be, but the night is dark, and it is impossible for me to see you: so if you have no better reasons to give, good night, and go your ways; tomorrow we will meet again at sunrise."
And the speaker prepared to close the wicket, but the She-wolf checked him with a firm hand.
"One moment," she said.
"What's up now?" the other remarked, ill-temperedly; "I cannot pass the night in listening to you."
"I only want to ask you one question, and one favour."
"Plague take it!" the man went on; "well, you are going on at a fine rate; that's nothing, eh? Well; let me hear it; that binds me to nothing."
"Is Major Melville in the fort at this moment?"