"There is no need," he returned. "I shall not stir from here."
She scanned his face. No madness was visible in it. Bruce laughed.
"I am quite sane," he answered her.
"You are in Fort Brondel," Desirée announced severely. "A Nor'west fort——"
"Your pardon," Dunvegan interrupted. "A Hudson's Bay fort!"
"Now you are surely mad."
A slight timidity touched her. She drew back.
"Mad enough to have taken this post! I command forty-odd men in the rooms below."
Incredulity widened Desirée's eyes, but the chief trader's manner was convincing. She murmured a little in astonishment.
"We—of the post?" she stammered.