"True, yet there was a reason which I can confess to you. You also discovered the body that night, yet aroused no alarm. I saw you. Why did you remain silent? Was it to protect me from suspicion?" I bent my head, but failed to find words with which to answer. De Artigny scarcely permitted me time. "That is the truth; your silence tells me it was for my sake you remained still. Is it not possible, Adele, that my purpose was the same? Listen to me, my girl, and have faith in my words--I am not guilty of Hugo Chevet's death. I did not like the man, it is true, and we exchanged words in anger while loading the boats, but I never gave the matter second thought. That was not the first night of this journey that I sought to assure myself of your safety. "I know Monsieur Cassion, and of what he is capable, and felt that some time there would occur between you a struggle--so at every camping place, where it was possible, I have watched. It was for that purpose I approached the Mission House. I gained glimpse within, and saw Cassion asleep on a bench, and knew you had retired to the chamber above. I was satisfied, and started to return to the camp. On my way back I found Chevet's body at the edge of the wood. I discovered how he had been killed--a knife thrust in the back." "But you made no report; raised no alarm." "I was confused, unable to decide what was best for me to do. I had no business being there. My first impulse was to arouse the Mission House; my second to return to camp, and tell the men there. With this last purpose in view I entered the wood to descend the hill, but had hardly done so when I caught sight of you in the moonlight, and remained there hidden, watching your movements with horror. I saw you go straight to the body, assure yourself the man was dead; then return to the Mission House, and enter your room by way of the kitchen roof. Do you realize what your actions naturally meant to me?" I stared at him, scarcely able to speak, yet in some way my lips formed words. "You--you thought I did it?" "What else could I think? You were hiding there; you examined the body; you crept secretly in through the window, and gave no alarm." The horror of it all struck me like a blow, and I covered my eyes with my hands, no longer able to restrain my sobs. De Artigny caught my hands, and uncovered my face. "Do not break down, little girl," he entreated. "It is better so, for now we understand each other. You sought to shield me, and I endeavored to protect you. 'Twas a strange misunderstanding, and, but for the accident to the canoe, might have had a tragic ending." "You would never have told?" "Of seeing you there? of suspecting you? Could you think that possible?" "But you would have been condemned; the evidence was all against you." "Let us not talk of that now," he insisted. "We have come back to a faith in each other. You believe my word?" "Yes." "And I yours."