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Any call to action, of either hazard or pleasure, steadiesrenders me a new man, clear of brain, quick of decision Possibly this comes from that active life I have always led in the open Be the cause what it may, I was the first to recover speech

"I hope to show myself worthy your trust, Madame," I said somewhat stiffly, for it hurt to realize that this emotion arose from her husband's peril "At best I am only an adventurer, and rely upon those means hich life upon the border renders me familiar Such may prove useless where I have soldiers of skill to deal with However, we have need of these ht be put to better use than tears, or words of gratitude"

She looked upward at ht; I am a child, it seems Tell me your desire, and I will endeavor to act the woman"

"First, I must comprehend more clearly the nature of the work before me The Chevalier de Noyan is already under sentence of death; the hour of execution to-morrow at sunrise?"

She bent her head in quiet acquiescence, her anxious eyes never leavingus barely eighteen hours in which to effect his rescue Faith! 't is short space for action"

I glanced uneasily aside at the silently observant priest, now standing, a slender gray figure, close beside the door He was not of an Order I greatly loved

"You need have no fear," she exclaiht "Father Petreni can be fully trusted He is ious confessor; he has been my friend from childhood"

"Yes, Monsieur," he interposed sadly, yet with a grave s his thin white face "I shall be able to accomplish little in your aid, for my trade is not that of arms, yet, within my physical limitations, I am freely at your service"

"That is well," I responded heartily, words and tone yielding ht when comrades will need to know each other Now a few questions, after which I will look over the ground before atte to outline any plan of action You say, Madame, that your--Chevalier de Noyan is a prisoner on the fleet in the river Upon which ship is he confined?"

"The 'Santa Maria'"

"The 'Santa Maria'?--if -ship"

"She lies, as I re the strange spectacle, close in toward the shore, beside the old sugar warehouse of Bomanceaux et fils"