So then and there he wrote to her, telling her everything and saying: 'Please let your father know and, if there is any hope whatever, just advise me accordingly and I'll write to him....'
The letter finished, stamped, sealed, his thoughts drifted to the work awaiting him near Broncho. He recalled the Commissioner's words: This needs a good man.... One of the most important tasks I could give you....' and, recalling, realized that this was a marvellous opportunity. He felt a return of the exultation which had lately possessed him. The possibilities were endless. Let him but handle this situation successfully, receiving the distinction which would naturally follow and Major Edginton would probably change his mind soon enough!
III
With the spring came War.
In spite of all the efforts of the Commissioner and his followers, the Old Order, as he had prophesied, seeking to stave off the inevitable, broke out in arms against the New.
Lescheneaux, much excited, told the news to Hector.
"Mon Dieu, mon leetle camarade! She 'as com', oui! She 'as com', en fin! 'Ave I not said so all along? An' af-taire all we 'ave don' for dem, les dam' scoun-drelle! De way we 'ave slave', we 'ave toil', we 'ave sweat' an' freeze an' starve'—sacre! Écoutez vous, 'Ect-eur! De 'alf-breed an' de Indian—dey 'ave risen, oui!"
"What details?"
"Dey 'ave risen—risen everywhere! Dey 'ave attack' our fellows an' kill nine and wounded I don' know 'ow many more up dere near Goose River. De Commission-aire 'as march' wit' all 'ands, dey bring in outlyin' detachment' everywhere as can be spared. De Crees, de Assiniboines are up wit' de 'alf-breed, Calgary, Edmonton, all de Nort'-West is alarm'. An' we—we 'ave about t'ree-four 'ondred men, among twenty-t'irty t'ousan' Indian! By Gar, 'Ect-eur, I t'ink we in for 'ot time, oui!"
Rubbing his hands, the little Inspector grinned ecstatically.