He looked upward, at first toward the blue sky and its clustering stars, and then, turning his eyes to the open space near the inn, caught sight of two shadowy figures.  The Onondaga was alert upon the instant, because he knew those figures, thin though they seemed in the dusk.  One was Tandakora, the Ojibway, and the other was Auguste de Courcelles, Colonel in the French army, a pair most unlike, yet talking together earnestly now.

Tayoga was not at all surprised.  He had pierced the mind of de Courcelles and he had expected him to seek Tandakora.  He watched them a full five minutes, until the Ojibway slipped away in the darkness, and de Courcelles turned back toward the inn, walking slowly, and apparently very thoughtful.

Tayoga thought once of going outside to follow Tandakora, but he decided that no good object would be served by it and remained at the window, where the wind out of the cold north could continue to blow upon him.  He knew that the Indian and de Courcelles had entered into some conspiracy, but he believed they could guard against it, and in good time it would disclose itself.

There might be many hidden trails in a city like Quebec, but he meant to discover the one that Tandakora followed.  He remained an hour at the window, and then without awaking his comrades to tell what he had seen went back to his bed.  Nor did he say anything about it when they awoke in the morning.  He preferred to keep Tandakora as his especial charge.  A coming chief of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, would know how to deal with a savage Ojibway out of the western forests.

At breakfast, Robert wondered what they would do during the coming day, as it was not advisable to go much about Quebec owing to the notoriety the duel had brought to them.  Monsieur Berryer, suave, deferential and full of gossip, informed them that the fame of young Mr. Lennox as a master of the sword had spread through the city in a few hours.  Brave and skillful young Frenchmen were anxious to meet him and prove that where Count Jean de Mezy had failed they might succeed.

“The young gentleman will not lack opportunities for honor and glory in Quebec,” said Monsieur Berryer, rubbing his fat, white hands.

“In view of our errand here you must let all these opportunities go, Robert,” said Willet.  “If we show ourselves too much some of these hot young French knights will force a fight upon you, not because they hate you, but from sporting motives.  But it would be just as bad for you to lose your life in a friendly duel as in one full of hate.”