The one that I wore in those days showed the bells and
ribands of the harlequin, but there was chain armor underneath. I
counted my results as satisfactory when I started home.
We did not reach the camp on this second homecoming till after the
stars were out. That left me too few hours for a large labor, and I
had but hurried greetings from the woman while all the camp looked on.
The men were sleek from idleness, and I had need to goad them with word
and eye. It was late before I could linger at the woman's cabin and
beg a word. She sat with Singing Arrow, watching the soft night, and
again her first question was of her cousin.
"You have heard nothing of Lord Starling?"
Was this fear of him or a covert wish to meet him? "Nothing, madame,"
I replied. "But I have been to the south far out of your cousin's way.
I go next to the Malhominis. I think I shall certainly hear tidings of
him there."
"You go to-morrow?"
"I must, madame. Madame, I have been anxious about you. Will you
promise me not to stray alone from the camp?"
She left the cabin and came and stood beside me in the quiet and
starshine. She looked off at the forest.
"Is there danger around us, monsieur?"
I followed her look back into the dark timber.
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