Page:War Drums (1928).pdf/49

 He paused as if to choose his words with even greater care. Then, a faint smile on his dark, finely chiselled face, he continued:

"I will answer your question. I am Lachlan McDonald, War Chief of the Muskogee. And I am also Lachlan McDonald, Gentleman. Because I am the former I shall go home to my people. Because I am the latter, I hope to perform before I go a certain duty which chance has laid upon me here."

His black eyes searched the other's face. He leaned forward across the table.

"There is a lady in Charles Town who is in trouble," he said slowly, "the loveliest lady that I have ever seen, the lady Jolie Stanwicke. With or without your help, Almayne, I shall see what may be done for her."

The hunter's answer came quickly.

"You'll get no help from me!" he cried angrily. "The matter is no concern of yours. And for your own good"

He stopped short, perhaps realizing that he had said what he had not meant to say; and Lachlan was quick to take advantage.

"Ah!" he cried, "the secret's out now. It's for my own good, is it, that you would hurry me off to Tallasee? The mystery deepens. Is Mistress Jolie Stanwicke so dangerous a person that I must flee from her into the wilds? Come, man, you've whetted my curiosity now and you must tell me all."

"I'll tell you nothing," Almayne growled.