neighborhood, I became determined to solve. For the moment I forgot
even Mrs. Bernard, and my own assumed character, in the excitement of
this new chase.

"Ze right; turn to ze right, M'sieur," said a voice behind me, and then
I saw Coombs standing before the door of the second cabin. Half
dressed as he was, his ever-present "gun" hung low at his hip, and his
face scowled in surprised recognition.

"What does this mean, Broussard?" he growled savagely. "Where did you
pick up that fellow?"




CHAPTER XIV

THE CONFESSION

I caught the wicked, snaky gleam of the Creole's eyes. All his early
suspicion of me had revived instantly.

"At the landing," he hastened to explain. "How could I tell? He said
he knew you, M'sieur."

"Oh, he did, hey! Well, all I know about him is that he blew in here
last night with a woman; claimed to be young Henley, and took
possession of the place. I reckon it 's about time I saw some papers
to prove what yer are, young feller, 'for yer go snoopin' round at
daylight. What's yer game enyhow?"