"You saw Sieur de la Salle in France? you left him well?" "More than well--triumphant over all his enemies. He sails for the mouth of the Great River with a French colony; Louis authorized the expedition." "And is that all?" "All, except it was rumored at the court that La Barre would not for long remain Governor of New France." The face of the Italian did not change expression; slowly he opened the papers, and glanced at their contents; then folded them once more, and lifted his eyes to our faces. "By Grace of the King," he said simply, "I am again in command of Fort St. Louis. I see the order is countersigned by La Barre." "Yes, Monsieur; he had no choice--'twas not done happily." "I presume not. But Messieurs, it may be well for us to return within the fort. Madame, may I have the pleasure of escorting you?" We made our way slowly through the fringe of woods, and across the open space before the fort gates which still stood open. The dead bodies of savages were on all sides, so horribly mutilated, many of them, that I hid my eyes from the sight. De Tonty tried to speak of other things, and to shield me from the view, but I was so sick at heart I could hardly answer him. De la Durantaye, with a dozen men to aid, was already busily engaged in seeking the wounded, and I caught sight of De Baugis far down the western slope clambering up, a body of Indians at his heels. Cassion had disappeared; indeed there was not so much as a single guard at the gate when we entered, yet we were greeted instantly by his voice. "'Tis well you return, M. de Tonty," he said loudly. "I was about to call those soldiers yonder, and close the gates. 'Tis hardly safe to have them left thus with all these strange Indians about." "They are Illini, Monsieur--our allies." "Pah! an Indian is an Indian to my mind; bid M. de la Durantaye come hither." He stared at De Artigny and me, seeing us first as he stepped forward. A moment he gasped, his voice failing; then anger conquered, and he strode forward, sword in hand. "_Mon Dieu!_ What is this? You here again, you bastard wood ranger? I had hopes I was rid of you, even at the cost of a wife. Well, I soon will be. Here, Durantaye, bring your men; we have a prisoner here to stretch rope. De Tonty, I command you in the name of France!" CHAPTER XXXVI THE CLEARING OF MYSTERY The point of his sword was at De Artigny's breast, but the younger man stood motionless, his lips smiling, his eyes on the other's face. "Perchance, Monsieur," he said quietly, "it might be best for you first to speak with this friend of mine." "What friend? _Sacre!_ What is the fellow to me? Who is he? another one of La Salle's spawn?" La Forest, still bareheaded, his forehead bleeding, pressed down the swordblade. "The company is a good one," he said bluntly enough, "and just now well worth belonging to. I am Francois de la Forest, Monsieur, one time commandant at Detroit; at present messenger from the King of France."