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258 him, secretly and without leaving any trace, if he thought himself in danger."

She was silent for a moment, then asked:

"At any rate, could you not see the Chief and ask his opinion? You tell me he has shown himself to be friendly disposed to you. Could you not have a talk with him?"

"That is possible," I answered.

"And, until you have heard what he has to say," she went on eagerly, "will you not promise me that you will not raise your hand against your enemy?"

"Not even in self-defence?" I asked quickly.

"It will not be necessary. God will protect you, and you shall go forth clothed in my prayers."

It occurred to me that the dear lady's prayers had not saved her from being driven from the convent and the institution broken up; but, of course, I did not hint at such a thing. What she asked of me was pretty stiff, as, for all I knew, Chu-Chu might be at that moment on the stairs. A flesh wound in the muscles of the chest isn't much, and the man had the vitality of a gorilla or timber wolf. I hesitated.

"You do not realise what you ask of me, Sœur Anne Marie," I said. "It is like sending a man into the arena unarmed."

She looked at me sorrowfully. "It is a terrible thing for a religieuse to nurse a man back to strength in the knowledge that, so soon as he is healed, he means to go forth to slay a fellowman," said she. "But if you are unwilling, my son, I will not urge you."

I raised myself on one elbow. "I will promise you this," said I, "that until I have seen the Chief