I drew a quick breath, my eyes on his face.
“How can you know all this, Monsieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice me?”
“No matter how I know. Some of it has been your own confession, coupled with my knowledge of the man. Three days ago I learned of his debt to Cassion, and that the latter had him in his claws, and at his mercy. Today I had evidence of what that debt means.”
“Today!”
“Ay! ’twas from Chevet the threat came that he would kill me if I ever met with you again.”
I could but stare at him, incredulous, my fingers unconsciously grasping his jacket.
“He said that? Chevet?”
“Ay! Chevet; the message came by mouth of the half-breed, his voyageur, and I choked out of him where he had left his master, yet when I got there the man had gone. If we might meet tonight the matter would be swiftly settled.”
He gazed out into the darkness, and I saw his hand close on the hilt of his knife. I caught his arm.