"Hush, father!" said Alida, going hastily to his side; "he has saved my life--perhaps all our lives."
"He is my enemy!"
"He is my friend!"
As Alida said this, she turned and smiled upon Chanot. The young man repressed a groan.
"If I had known," he muttered, "ah, if I had known. But it is too late."
Linn had been watching her time, and now, by a swift intervention, got Keller Bey out of the library and back to his own room. He had in fact missed her presence and wandered out in search. Then, at sight of the arch-enemy of his ideal rule, memory had returned to him.
After the departure of Keller Bey my father left the room to assure himself that all was well in the sick man's chamber, and that Linn wanted for nothing. Chanot and Alida were left practically alone, for Chardon, obedient to his chief's eye, had withdrawn into an alcove where, with a book in his hand, he slept or pretended to sleep.
"My father is wandering in his mind," she said, letting the light of her young eyes dwell upon his. "He had a bullet which grazed the brain----"
"I fired that bullet," said Chanot, with bent head.
"But not in anger--not to do him any hurt?" The voice of Alida was almost pleading now. She wanted to think well of this young man.