"You must forgive our suspicions at a moment like the
present," soothingly observed the younger; "yet, Francois,
your daughter saw and exchanged signals with the person
we mean. She left the room soon after he made his
appearance. What has become of her?"

The Canadian gave a sudden start, looked hastily round,
and seemed to perceive for the first time the girl was
absent. He then put a finger to his lip to enjoin silence,
advanced to the table, and extinguished the light. Desiring
his companions, in a low whisper, to tread cautiously
and follow, he now led the way with almost noiseless step
to the entrance of the hut. At the threshold of the door
were placed a large well-filled sack, a light mast and
sail, and half a dozen paddles. The latter burden he
divided between the officers, on whose shoulders he
carefully balanced them. The sack he threw across his
own; and, without expressing even a regret that an
opportunity of bidding adieu to his child was denied him,
hastily skirted the paling of the orchard until, at the
further extremity, he had gained the high road.

The heavens were obscured by passing clouds driven rapidly
by the wind, during the short pauses of which our
adventurers anxiously and frequently turned to listen if
they were pursued. Save the rustling of the trees that
lined the road, and the slight dashing of the waters on
the beach, however, no sound was distinguishable. At
length they gained the point whence they were to start.