She would go on living, and laughing, and singing in the big
forests, where she belongs. And Black Roger Audemard, the rascal,
would be safe for a time! But that would be like destroying a
little child. You are so helpless now. So you are going on to the
Chateau Boulain with us, and if at the end of the second month
from today you do not willingly say I have won my wager--why--
m'sieu--I will go with you into the forest, and you may shoot out
of me the life which is my end of the gamble. Is that not fair?
Can you suggest a better way--between men like you and me?"
"I can at least suggest a way that has the virtue of saving time,"
replied David. "First, however, I must understand my position
here. I am, I take it, a prisoner."
"A guest, with certain restrictions placed upon you, m'sieu,"
corrected St. Pierre.
The eyes of the two men met on a dead level.
"Tomorrow morning I am going to fight Bateese," said David. "It is
a little sporting event we have fixed up between us for the
amusement of--your men. I have heard that Bateese is the best
fighting man along the Three Rivers. And I--I do not like to have
any other man claim that distinction when I am around.
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