“It does not, but I thank you, Chevalier de St. Luc, for your many kindnesses to me, although I don’t understand them.  Your solicitude for my welfare cannot but awake my gratitude, but it has been more than once a source of wonderment in my mind.”

“Because you are a young and gallant enemy whom I would not see come to harm.”

Robert felt, however, that the chevalier was not stating the true reason, and he felt also with equal force that he would keep secret in the face of all questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him.  St. Luc asked him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even Montcalm had done.  He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than once.  Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him.  St. Luc himself became enamored of his own words as he spoke.  His eyes glowed, and his tone took on great warmth and enthusiasm.  But presently he ceased and when he laughed a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment.

“I do not move you, Mr. Lennox,” he said.  “I can see by your eye that your will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would listen to me.  You will believe me when I say I mean you only good.”

“I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc,” said Robert, trying to speak lightly, “but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should go to France it would interfere with it seriously.  It would not be so easy to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am in North America it is always possible.  I informed Captain Langlade that I meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you.”

The chevalier laughed.

“Time will tell,” he said.  “Your ambition to leave is a proper and patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it.  But ’tis not easy of accomplishment.  I betray no military secret when I say our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us.  Captain Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in readiness to depart tomorrow morning.”

Robert slept that night in Langlade’s little section of the camp, but, before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would go when the dawn came.  Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also, that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task.  He made another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly.  Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of his general’s plans.  Yet he and his warriors made obvious preparations for battle, and, before Robert went to sleep, a gigantic figure stalked into the firelight and regarded him with a grim gaze.  The young prisoner’s back was turned at the moment, but he seemed to feel that fierce look, beating like a wind upon his head, and, turning around, he looked full into the eyes of Tandakora.