Had I not tested it with my own ears never would I have believed a hundred men could have made way so noiselessly in the dark, through such thick forest, rock strewn and deeply rutted. Yet not a sound of their stealthy passage was wafted back to us on the wind--no echo of voice, no rasping of foot, no rustle of leaves. Ghosts could not have moved more silently. Some way the very thought that these grim savages were thus creeping forward to attack, and kill, their hearts mad with hate, wild beasts of prey stalking their victims, yielded me a strange feeling of horror. I clung to De Artigny's arm, shrinking from the shadows, my mind filled with nameless fear. "Adele," he whispered, tenderly, "you still fear for me in this venture?" "Yes, Monsieur." "There is no need. You heard La Forest say he bore orders of the King which gave De Tonty command once more of Fort St. Louis." "Yes, Monsieur; but you have already been tried and condemned. Even if they have not authority to shoot you here, they have power to transport to Quebec." "There would be battle first, if I know my old comrades well. No, as to that there is no cause to fear. I shall be given fair trial now, and welcome it. My fear has been for you--the vengeance of Cassion, if ever you came within his grasp again. But that also is settled." "Settled? What is it you would tell me?" "This, sweetheart; you should know, although I would that some other might tell you. La Forest whispered it to me while we were alone yonder, for he knew not you were estranged from your husband. He bears with him the King's order for the arrest of M. Cassion. Captain de Baugis is commissioned by La Barre to return him safely to Quebec for trial." "On what charge?" "Treason to France; the giving of false testimony against a King's officer, and the concealing of official records." "_Mon Dieu!_ was it the case of my father?" "Yes; the truth has been made clear. There is, as I understand from what La Forest told me, not sufficient evidence against La Barre to convict, yet 'tis believed the case will cost him his office. But M. Cassion was his agent, and is guilty beyond a doubt." "But, Monsieur, who made the charges? Who brought the matter to the attention of Louis?" "The Comte de Frontenac; he was your father's friend, and won him restoration of his property. Not until La Forest met him in France was he aware of the wrong done Captain la Chesnayne. Later he had converse with La Salle, a Franciscan once stationed at Montreal, and two officers of the regiment Carignan-Salliers. Armed with information thus gained he made appeal to Louis. 'Tis told me the King was so angry he signed the order of arrest with his own hand, and handed it to La Forest to execute." "The Governor knows?" "Not yet. La Forest felt it best to keep the secret, fearing he might be detained, or possibly ambushed on the way hither."