“A fair pledge enough, although I was not consulted. From the look of your eyes little difference if I had been. You are as sweet in disposition as ever, my dear; yet never mind that––we’ll soon settle our case now, I warrant you. Meanwhile I am content to wait until my time comes. ’Tis not you I seek tonight, but my dressing case.”
“Your dressing case?”
“Ay, you know it well, a brown leather bag I bore with me during our journey.”
“And where is it, Monsieur?”
“Beneath the bunk in the sleeping room. Pass it out to me, and I will ask no more.”
“’Twill be safer if you keep your word,” I said quietly, “for I still carry Hugo Chevet’s pistol, and know how to use it. Draw away from the door, Monsieur, and I will thrust out the bag.”
I lowered the bar, opening the door barely wide 312 enough to permit the bag’s passage. The light from the fire gleamed on the barrel of the pistol held in my hand. It was the work of an instant, and I saw nothing of Cassion, but, as the door closed, he laughed scornfully.
“Tis your game tonight, Madame,” he said spitefully, “but tomorrow I play my hand. I thank you for the bag, as it contains my commission. By virtue of it I shall assume command of this Fort St. Louis, and I know how to deal with murderers. I congratulate you on your lover, Madame––good night.”
I dropped into the nearest seat, trembling in every limb. It was not personal fear, nor did I in my heart resent the insult of his last words. De Artigny was my lover, not in mere lip service, but in fact. I was not ashamed, but proud, to know this was true. The only thing of which I was ashamed was my relationship with Cassion; and my only thought now was how that relationship could be ended, and De Artigny’s life saved. The paper I had found was indeed of value, yet I realized it alone was not enough to offset the charges which Cassion would support by his own evidence and that of his men. This mere suggestion in La Barre’s handwriting meant nothing unless we could discover also in Cassion’s possession the documents taken from Chevet And these, beyond doubt, had been destroyed. Over and over again in my mind I 313 turned these thoughts, but only to grow more confused and uncertain. All the powers of hate were arrayed against us, and I felt helpless and alone.
I must have slept finally from sheer exhaustion, although I made no attempt to lie down. It was broad daylight, when I awoke, aroused by pounding on the door. To my inquiry a voice announced food, and I lowered the bar, permitting an orderly to enter bearing a tray, which he deposited on the table. Without speaking he turned to leave the room, but I suddenly felt courage to address him.