Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

The Trail of the Sword, Volume 1 by Gilbert Parker
page 30 of 56 (53%)
chanced to lift her eyes to a window. She started, changed colour, and
gave a little cry. The governor's hand covered hers at once as he
followed her look. It was a summer's night and the curtained windows
were partly open. Iberville noted that Jessica's face wore the self-same
shadow as in the afternoon when she had seen the stranger with Radisson.

"What was it, my dear?" said the governor.

She did not answer, but pressed his hand nervously. "A spy, I believe,"
said Iberville, in a low voice. "Yes, yes," said Jessica in a half
whisper; "a man looked in at the window; a face that I have seen--but
I can't remember when."

The governor went to the window and drew the curtains. There was nothing
to see. He ordered Morris, who stood behind his chair, to have the
ground searched and to bring in any straggler. Already both the officers
were on their way to the door, and at this point it opened and let in a
soldier. He said that as he and his comrade were returning from their
duty with Radisson they saw a man lurking in the grounds and seized him.
He had made no resistance, and was now under guard in the ante-room. The
governor apologised to his guests, but the dinner could not be ended
formally now, so the ladies rose and retired. Jessica, making a mighty
effort to recover herself, succeeded so well that ere she went she was
able to reproach herself for her alarm; the more so because the
governor's sister showed her such consideration as would be given a
frightened child--and she had begun to feel something more.

The ladies gone, the governor drew his guests about him and ordered in
the prisoner. Morris spoke up, saying that the man had begged an
interview with the governor that afternoon, but, being told that his
DigitalOcean Referral Badge