Eric, cold, white and trembling, only whispered an affirmative.
"All," he answered, a strange, fierce look coming over his face, as the full import of my news forced home on him. "Was--was--Laplante--in that?" he asked, gripping my arm in his unwounded hand with foreboding force.
"Not that we know of. Only Diable. But Louis is friendly with the Sioux, and if we only keep him in sight we may track them."
"I'll--keep--him--in sight," muttered Hamilton in low, slow words.
"Hush, Eric!" I whispered. "If we harm him, he may mislead us. Let us watch him and track him!"
"He's asking leave to go trapping in the Sioux country. Can you go as trader for your people? To the buffalo hunt first, then, south? I'll watch here, if he stays; you, there, if he goes, and he shall tell us all he knows or--"
"Where," Governor McDonell was thundering at Laplante, "where are the parties that stole those despatches?"
The question brought both Hamilton and myself to the table. We went forward where we could see Laplante's face without being seen by his questioners.
"If I answer, Your Honor," began the Frenchman, taking the captain's bluster for what it was worth and holding out doggedly for his own rights, "I'll be given leave to trap with the Sioux?"
"The parties--that stole--those despatches," Laplante was answering slowly. At this stage he looked at his interlocutor as if to question the sincerity of the guarantee and he saw me standing screwing the spear-head on the tell-tale handle. I patted the spear-head, smiled blandly back, and with my eyes dared him to go on. He paused, bit his lip and flushed.
"No lies, no roguery, or I'll have you at the whipping-post," roared the governor. "Speak up. Where are the parties?"
"Near about here," stammered Louis, "and you may ask your new turn-coat."
I was betrayed! Betrayed and trapped; but he should not go free! I would have shouted out, but Hamilton's hand silenced me.
"Here!" exclaimed the astounded governor. "Go call that young Nor'-Wester! If _he_ backs up y'r story, _he_ was Cameron's secretary, you can go to the buffalo hunt."
That response upset Louis' bearings. He had expected the governor would refer to me; but the command let him out of an awkward place and he darted from the room, as Hamilton and I supposed,--simpletons that we were with that rogue!--to find the young Nor'-Wester. This turn of affairs gave me my chance. If the young Nor'-Wester and Laplante came together, my disguise as Highlander and turn-coat would be stripped from me and I should be trapped indeed.