The Jew pointed to a door,
and, cringing again, left them.
Desiree made a gesture telling Louis to go in first, which he did at
once. The room was littered with trunks and cases. All the
treasure had been brought into the sick man's chamber for greater
safety.
On a narrow bed near the window a man lay huddled on his side. He
turned and looked over his shoulder, showing a haggard face with a
ten-days' beard on it. He looked from one to the other in silence.
It was Colonel de Casimir.
CHAPTER XXII. THROUGH THE SHOALS.
I see my way, as birds their trackless way.
De Casimir had never seen Louis d'Arragon, and yet some dim
resemblance to his cousin must have introduced the new-comer to a
conscience not quite easy.
"You seek me, Monsieur," he asked, not having recognized Desiree,
who stood behind her companion, in her furs.
"I seek Colonel Darragon, and was told that we should find him in
this room."
"May I ask why you seek him in this rather unceremonious manner?"
asked De Casimir, with the ready insolence of his calling and his
age.
"Because I am his cousin," replied Louis quietly, "and Madame is his
wife."
Desiree came forward, her face colourless. She caught her breath,
but made no attempt to speak.
De Casimir tried to lift himself on his elbows.
"Ah! madame," he said. "You see me in a sorry state. I have been
very ill." And he made a gesture with one hand, begging her to
overlook his unkempt appearance and the disorder of his room.
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