I looked at her, deeply hurt by the interest so openly displayed.

“You are wondrously aroused for the Frenchman’s safety, Mademoiselle!”

“Yes, though not as you may fancy.  Captain de Croix came here for my sake, even though no word of mine gave him reason for doing so.  For this reason I could never forgive myself if harm befell him on such a journey.  ’T would be as if I had lured him to his death.  So ’tis for my sake, not his, that I ask the favor.”

I leaned against the log wall and thought quickly, her anxious eyes never leaving my face.  There came into my mind a conviction that the girl really loved him; and this made the struggle harder for me to serve him.  Nor did I see clearly how it could well be done, save through a sacrifice of myself, such as I had never intended.

“Surely,” she urged, “your wits will conceive some way in which it may be done?”

“Yes,” I answered, eager now to hide my own feeling from her; “’tis not hopeless.  You desire that he be kept within the Fort, ignorant of this commission?”

“I do; ’t is the only way.”

“Very well, it shall be done, Mademoiselle.  No, I need no thanks from you.  Only do this simple thing, which, I am sure, you will find no hardship,—­keep Captain de Croix from any possible contact with others for an hour.  Your eyes will prove sufficient, no doubt, to enchain him that long; if not, use other measures.”

“But what will you do?”

“That does not count.  ’T is the result, not the means, that must content you.  I have my plan, and it will work; but I cannot stay here longer to discuss it.  Only do your part well, and I pledge you the safety of De Croix.”

I left her standing there, the light of questioning still in her eyes; but I wished mainly to be safely away, where I might hide my own sudden heart-ache in the energy of action.

CHAPTER XX

IN THE INDIAN CAMP

It cut me deeply to think that this girl would willingly sacrifice me to save the French gallant from injury, and an anxiety to escape her presence before I should speak words I might always regret caused me to leave with scant ceremony.  Yet I was none too soon; for scarce had I stepped without the door when I met Lieutenant Helm ascending the steps.

“Ah, Wayland!” he said, catching sight of me, “do you happen to know where I am most likely to find Captain de Croix?”

“He is scarcely to be disturbed at present, unless the matter be truly urgent,” I replied, my plan hastily sketched in mind.  “Have you arranged a banquet in honor of the Frenchman?”

“No such good fortune,” was the grave response.  “Captain Heald desires his company upon an immediate mission to the Pottawattomie camp.”