that on the heights." This said, he wheeled and left the room.

The two gentlemen were left alone. Gering folded his arms and stood
defiant.

"Monsieur," said Iberville, in a low voice, "we are fortunate to meet so
at last."

"I do not understand you," was the reply.

"Then let me speak of that which was unfortunate. Once you called me a
fool and a liar. We fought and were interrupted. We met again, with the
same ending, and I was wounded by the man Bucklaw. Before the wound was
healed I had to leave for Quebec. Years passed, you know well how. We
met in the Spaniards' country, where you killed my servant; and again at
Fort Rupert, you remember. At the fort you surrendered before we had a
chance to fight. Again, we were on the hunt for treasure. You got it;
and almost in your own harbour I found you, and fought you and a greater
ship with you, and ran you down. As your ship sank you sprang from it to
my own ship--a splendid leap. Then you were my guest, and we could not
fight; all--all unfortunate."

He paused. Gering was cool; he saw Iberville's purpose, and he was ready
to respond to it.

"And then?" asked Gering. "Your charge is long--is it finished?"

A hard light came into Iberville's eyes.

"And then, monsieur, you did me the honour to come to my own country. We