And alone in his room we looked at each other with relief.  We had gained one point, and though the road was long ahead, we could breathe for a moment.  We had not healed the sore, but it was covered, cauterized.  We dropped into chairs and sought our pipes.

But Cadillac’s fingers were soon drumming.  “It was odd that they did not demand the English prisoners,” he said.

I felt placid enough as regarded that point.  “They did not dare.  When do the Senecas leave?”

“To-morrow morning.  Oh, Montlivet, it grinds me to let them go!”

I shrugged at his choler.  “We will follow,” I comforted.  “We will overtake them at La Baye.”

“But suppose they leave La Baye.  They may break camp at once and push on.  We may miss them.”

I smoked, and shook my head.  “If they do, we cannot help it.  But I think there is no danger.  They will want to halt some time at La Baye, and try for terms with those tribes.  My work there has been secret,—­even Pemaou does not seem to know of it,—­and they do not suspect a coalition.  So they feel safe.  I think that we shall find them.”

And then we sat for a time in silence.  I stared at the future, and saw a big decision beetling before me.  When I dread a moment, I rush to meet it, which is the behavior of a spoiled boy.

“You will get rid of Starling to-morrow?” I asked.

Cadillac nodded.  “Yes.  He is best out of the way, and, though I see nothing to mistrust in the man, I shall feel better if he goes east while the Senecas go west.”

“How will you send him?”

“To Montreal with an escort of Ottawas.  From there he can make his own way.”

I looked down.  “Madame de Montlivet may wish to go at the same time.  You must arrange for her also if she wishes.”

Cadillac shrugged.  “You leave the decision with her?”

“Absolutely, monsieur.”

Cadillac rapped his knuckles together.  “Don’t run romanticism into the ground, Montlivet.”

But my inflammable temper did not rise.  “A woman certainly has some right of selection.  Starling says that I forced her to marry me.  That is substantially true.  What time do you plan to have Starling leave?”

“As early as possible.  I shall not tell him tonight.  It will take a little time to get the canoes in readiness.”

“Then I shall see Madame de Montlivet in the morning, as early as possible.  I shall let you know her decision at once, monsieur.”

“Montlivet, she will need time to consider.”

I shook my head.  “She has thought the matter out.  I think her answer will be ready.”  And then we said good-night.

CHAPTER XXVIII

CHILDREN OF OPPORTUNITY

It was but little after dawn the next morning when I met Madame de Montlivet in the waiting-room of the commandant.