“Here, Noyan,” he called to a man who had just trundled his barrow down and who paused to make an awkward salutation. He had a blue cotton kerchief tied round his head, buckskin trousers, and a sort of blouse coat made of coarse woollen stuff, belted in loosely; but it held a pouch containing tobacco and his knife, and a small hatchet was suspended from it. “M’sieu Denys! One has not seen you for an age! Were you up to the north? It is a good sight. And have you been making a fortune?” The wide, smiling mouth showed white, even teeth. “Not up in the fur regions. I took Canada this time.” “Then thou hast lots of treasures that will set the dames and the maids crazy with longing. They are gay people in those old towns, and the state they keep is something like a court, I hear. Have you brought home Madame Denys? Is it not high time?” “Past time,” returning the laugh. “But our good Pierre Laclede is content to remain a bachelor, and why not I?” “I am afraid thou art hard to suit. Surely we have pretty maids here; and at New Orleans it is said they make a man lose his head if they do but smile on him. A dangerous place that!” and he laughed merrily. “Are you busy?” “Yes and no. I am to look after M. Maxent’s boat load, but it will not be in until noon. So, if I can catch a job I am ready.” “Then you are the man for me. Come. They have piled up the freight here on the wharf. I am a lucky fellow to meet you. I feel quite strange after my long absence. I suppose the old storehouse has not burned down? It could not well be robbed,” and Monsieur Denys laughed with gay indifference. “When a man has only the coat on his back he need not be afraid of thieves.” “Unless he fall among Indians.” “Ah, bah! yes,” with a comical shrug. “And sometimes they take his skin.” There were bales strapped up, with thongs of hide over the coarse covering; some sacks made of hide; several boxes bound about with bands of iron. Noyan looked them over and considered. “I must go twice, M’sieu Denys,” looking askance as if his employer might object. “Very well. This box is to go to Madame Renaud’s.” The man nodded, and began to pile on the goods, fastening them with some stout straps. “Do you go, too?” “Oh, yes. Here, Jaques, sit on this box and guard these two bundles, and earn a little more than your salt.” A shock-headed boy, with a broad, stupid face, had been looking on indifferently, and now he dropped on the box like a weight of lead, with a grunt that meant assent and a grin that betokened satisfaction. “We must retrace our steps,” said Denys to the little girl. “But it is not far.” They passed the market again. They turned into the Rue de Rive, just beyond the Rue Royale. A building of rough stone, with a heavy doorway that looked as if it had been deserted a long while, which was true enough. A broad bar had fastened it securely, and the great lock might have guarded the treasures of Niebelungs.