If he rescued Jeanne alone, and went on with her as he had
promised Pierre, many things that were puzzling him would be
explained. It occurred to him again that Jeanne and Pierre might
be the key to the mysterious plot that promised to crash out the
life of the enterprise he had founded in the north. He found
reasons for this belief. Why had Lord Fitzhugh's name had such a
startling effect upon Pierre? Why was one of his assailants a man
fresh from the London ship that had borne Eileen Brokaw and her
father as passengers? He felt that Jeanne could explain these
things, as well as her brother. She could explain the strange
scene on the pier, when for a moment she had stood crushed and
startled before Eileen. She could clear up the mystery of
Gregson's sketch, for if there were two Eileen Brokaws, Jeanne
would know. With these arguments he convinced himself that he
should go on alone. Yet, behind them there was another and more
powerful motive. He confessed to himself that he would willingly
accept double the chances against him to achieve Jeanne's rescue
without assistance and to accompany her to Fort o' God. The
thought of their being together, of the girl's companionship--
perhaps for days--thrilled him with exquisite anticipation.
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