"You know--" he gasped.
"Yes, I know, M'sieur," replied Pierre. "I know that you are in
charge there, and Jeanne knows. We knew who you were before we
appointed to meet you on the cliff. You must return to your men."
Philip was silent. For the moment every hope was crushed within
him.
He looked at Pierre. The half-breed's eyes were glowing, his
haggard cheeks were flushed.
"And this is necessary?"
"It is absolutely necessary, M'sieur."
"Then I will go. But first, Pierre, I must know a little more. I
cannot go entirely blind. Do they fear my men--at Fort o' God?"
"No, M'sieur."
"One more question, Pierre. Who is Lord Fitzhugh Lee?"
For an instant Pierre's eyes widened. They grew black, and burned
with a strange, threatening fire. He rose slowly to his feet, and
placed both hands upon Philip's shoulders. For a full minute the
two men stared into each other's face. Then Pierre spoke. His
voice was soft and low, scarcely above a murmur, but it was filled
with something that struck a chill to Philip's heart.
"I would kill you before I would answer that question, M'sieur,"
he said. "No other person has ever done for Jeanne and I what you
have done. We owe you more than we can ever repay.
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