"Remember," he said, "that until we return you to your own country you are our guest in the fullest sense of the word."
Dr. Ambrose and Crothers also shook my hand, and everybody seemed to be glad that we had arrived at the truth at last.
By and by, only Grace and I were left in the room. We stood by the great window; the brilliant sunlight reflected from the snow threw a broad band of gold across the floor. Her face, for the first time since I knew her, seemed peaceful and content.
The snow-birds hopped from one little white mound to another, like their brethren of the summer passing from flower to flower. Three or four flew to the brave little brass cannon which menaced the passage of the drawbridge, and perched upon its barrel.
"They don't seem to fear the dogs of war," I said.
"They need not," said Grace. "Our cannon will never be used again; the last salute cracked the barrel all the way."
"Do you forgive me," I asked, asking the old question, "for bringing so much trouble upon Fort Defiance?"
"There is nothing to forgive," she said, earnestly. "It was no fault of yours."
I became brave.
"Then you are not sorry I came?"