“Youth in such times as ours does not mean inexperience, Monsieur Berryer,” said Willet.

“It is true, alas!” said the innkeeper, soberly.  “The world grows old, and there are seas of trouble.  I wish no annoyance to any guests of mine.  I know the courtesy due to visitors in our Quebec, and I would have stopped the quarrel had I been able, but the Count Jean de Mezy is a powerful man, the friend and associate of the Intendant, Monsieur Bigot.”

“I understand, Monsieur Berryer,” said Robert, with calculated lightness; “your courtesy is, in truth, great, but don’t trouble yourself on our account.  We are fully able to take care of ourselves.  Come, Tayoga, we’re both tired of the game and so let’s to bed.”

Tayoga carefully put away the deer buttons and the beans, and the three rose.

CHAPTER X

THE MEETING

Only four or five men, besides themselves, were left in the great room of the Inn of the Eagle.  The looks they gave the three were not hostile, and Robert judged that they belonged to the party known in Quebec as honnetes gens and described to him already by de Galisonniere.  He thought once of speaking to them, but he decided not to put any strain upon their friendliness.  They might have very bitter feelings against Bigot and his corrupt following, but the fact would not of necessity induce them to help the Bostonnais.

“I thought it would be best to go to bed,” he said, “but I’ve changed my mind.  A little walk first in the open air would be good for all of us.  Besides we must stay up long enough to receive the seconds of de Mezy.”

“A walk would be a good thing for you,” said Willet—­it was noteworthy that despite his great affection for the lad, he did not show any anxiety about him.

“Your wrist feels as strong as ever, doesn’t it, Robert?” he asked.

Young Lennox took his right wrist in his left hand and looked at it thoughtfully.  He was a tall youth, built powerfully, but his wrists were of uncommon size and strength.

“I suppose that paddling canoes during one’s formative period over our lakes and rivers develops the wrists and arms better than anything else can,” he said.

“It makes them strong and supple, too,” said the hunter.  “It gives to you a wonderful knack which with training can be applied with equal ability to something else.”

“As we know.”

“As we know.”

They went out and walked a little while in the streets, curious eyes still following them, a fact of which they were well aware, although they apparently took no notice of it.  Willet observed Robert closely, but he could not see any sign of unsteadiness or excitement.  Young Lennox himself seemed to have forgotten the serious business that would be on hand in the morning.  His heart again beat a response to Quebec which in the dusk was magnificent and glorified.  The stone buildings rose to the size of castles, the great river showed like silver through the darkness and on the far shore a single light burned.