Suddenly I became aware of a faint scratching upon the skin of the lodge, at my back. At first I supposed it to be some wild animal, or possibly a stray dog; but the regularity of it showed a purpose of some kind. Could it be De Croix? Or was it the half-breed with some secret message he dared not deliver openly? I lifted the lodge covering slightly, and placed my lips to the aperture.
"Is some one there?" I whispered cautiously. "Who is it?"
"I am Sister Celeste," came the immediate low reply. "Are you the white man I guided?"
"Ay," I answered, rejoicing at this rare good fortune, "and I beg you to listen to what I say. There will be a boat awaiting us beneath the old Agency building at midnight. You must be there with De Croix."
"De Croix?"
"Yes; I know not if that be his name to you, but I mean the Frenchman whose life you saved. Will you take him thither at midnight, together with the rifle I left in the council lodge?"
For a moment she did not answer. Doubtless it was a bitter struggle for her thus to agree even to meet the man again. At last she made reply, although I could plainly mark the faltering of her voice.
"The man of whom you speak shall be there," she said, "unless some accident make it impossible."
As I drew back my head, and sat upright. Mademoiselle spoke questioningly.
"With whom were you conversing just now, Monsieur?"