"Good-by, Placide." I had dropped upon my knee, and, taking his hand, kissed it gently. He turned back into his room, shut the door, and left me alone in the hall. I walked thence straightway to my own quarters, put on hastily the garb of the forest and made all readiness. My toilet was not elaborate, and a short half hour found me completely equipped for the journey. Leaving Biloxi, unaccompanied, like a thief in the night, I set out, and having reached the Bay winded a horn until Pachaco heard, then sat me down to wait for his boat. CHAPTER XXIV THE CHILDREN OF THE BLACK WOLF'S BREED According to the Governor's recollection, I had been gone only a short space when a peremptory knock came upon his door. He opened it, and there stood the Chevalier de la Mora, dishevelled and with evidences of haste, but courteous as was his wont. "I desire to speak with Captain de Mouret, at once, at once." "That you can not do; he has gone. Chevalier, I am astonished. Had I not a gentleman's parole that you should remain in your house this night?" "You had, sire, but the conditions were urgent, and see, I have sought Captain de Mouret without arms, so no breach could occur between us." "Fortunately, M. le Chevalier, Captain de Mouret has consented to leave this colony to-night, and before the day dawns he will doubtless be many miles away." The Chevalier heard like one dumb and undecided, a great doubt tugging at his heart. He departed unsteadily in the direction of the barracks. "Here, my good fellow, hast seen Captain de Mouret?" he inquired of a straggler. The man saluted. "Yes, sire, he but lately went the path towards the Bay." "How long since?" "A bare quarter of an hour. He was dressed for the forest and went alone." During this while I, Placide de Mouret, stranger and outcast, sat upon a grassy hillock awaiting Pachaco with his boat. The echoes of my horn had died away in the night, and soon after I caught the sound of running feet, and heard a man's voice calling my name as he ran. To my utter astonishment it was the Chevalier, breathless from his speed. "Is it you--Captain de Mouret?" "It is--Chevalier," I replied, uncertain at the first who the man could be. Seeing him in such a state of mind I knew the struggle had come. There be times in every man's life when he recks lightly of consequences, and this was not my night for caring. I had, in a measure, run away thus far from him, and he, not content with this, had pursued me past the limit of forbearance. So anticipating his own action, I began carefully to take off my own coat, and remembered with pleasure that it was not a slight rapier which now hung confidently by my side. "No, Captain, not that. I have sought you this time in peace. See, I have no weapons." Suiting the gesture to the speech, he flung wide his arms, and showed himself unprepared for battle.