Mexico Missouri message., 1916-09-28

but he possesses some ugly faces d,rH
cult to explain"
"Yet twas not your hand which did
the GeedY
"I pledge you my word to that. Yet
| this is no time to talk of the matter.
l have wounds to be looked to, and
would learn first how Barbeau fares.
You know not the lady; but Of course
not, or your tongue would never have
spoken so freely-Monsleur de Tonty,
Madame Cassion."
He Strengthened up, his eyes on my
face. For an instant he stood mo-
tlonless; then swept the hat from his
head and bent low.
"Your pardon, madame; we Of the
wilderness become rough of speech.
should have known. for a rumor had
reached me of your accident. You
owe life, no doubt, to Sieur d'Artigny."
eyes, monsieur; he has been my
kind friend"
"He would not be the one love
else. We know men on this frontier,
madame, and this lad hath seen years
Of service by my side" His hand
rested on D'Artigny's shoulder.
"'Twas only natural, then, that I
should resent NJ. Casslons charge Of
murder"
81 share your faith in the innocence
of NJ. d'Artigny," I answered firmly
enough, "but beyond this assertion 1
can say nothing"
Naturally not, madame. Yet we
must move along You can walk,
Renep
"Ay, my hurts are mostly bruises"
The torches led the way, the dane
ing flames lighting up the scene. There
was hard, packed earth under our feet,
nor did l realize yet that this Fort St.
Louis occupied the summit of great
rock, protected on three sides by preci-
pices, towering high above the river
Sharpened palisades Of logs surround
ed us on every side, with low log
houses built against them, on the roofs
of which riflemen could stand in safe
ty to guard the valley below.
The central space was open except
for two small buildings, one from its
shape a chapel, and the other, as I
learned later the guardhouse. A fire
blazed at the farther end of the in
closure, with a number of men loung-
ing about 1t, and illumined the front
of a more pretenious building, which
apparently extended across that entire
end. This building, having the ap-
pearance Of a barrack, exhibited nu-
merous doors and windows, with
narrow porch in front, on which l per-
ceived a group Of men.
AS we approached more closely, De
Tonty walking between D'Artigny and
myself, soldier ran up the steps, and
made some report. Instantly the
group broke, and two men strobe past
the fire, and met us. One was a tall.
imposing figure in dragon uniform,
sword at his thigh, his face full
bearded; the other, whom recognized
instantly with a quick intake of
breath, was Monsieur Cassion. He
was a stride in advance, his eyes
searching me out in the dim light, his
face flushed from excitement.
'Mon Dieu! what is this I hear?" he
exclaimed, staring at the three of us
as though doubling the evidence Of his
own eyes. "NIy wife alive? Ay, by
my faith, it is indeed Adele" He
grasped me by the arm, but even at
that instant his glance fell upon DAT
tigny, and his manner changed.
saint Anne! and what means this!
So tits with this rogue you have beer
wandering in the wildernessw
He tugged at his sword, but the
dragon caught his arm.
may, wait, Cassion. Twill be best
to learn the truth before resorting to
blows. Perchance Monsieur Tonty
can explain clearly what has hap
pened."
at is explained already" answered
the italian, and he took a step for
ward, as though to protect us. "These
two, with soldier of NJ. de la Duran
taye, endeavored to reach the fort,
and were attacked by Iroquois. We
dispatched men to their rescue, and
have all now safe within the pail
sades. What more would you learn,
messieurs"
Cassion pressed forward, and front
ed hin, angered beyond control.
1--WE know all that" he roared saw
agely. "But l would learn why they
hid themselves from me. Ay, madame,
but will make you talk when once
we are alone! But now denounce
this man as the murderer of Hugo
Chevet, and order him under arrest.
Here, lads, seize the fellow"
CHAPTER XIX.