The spirit of adventure, with which I was liberally endowed, was fast taking possession of all my faculties.
Whatever mystery surrounded this house, whatever of crime lurked in the neighborhood, I became determined to solve.

For the moment I forgot even Mrs.Bernard, and my own assumed character, in the excitement of this new chase.
"Ze right; turn to ze right, M'sieur," said a voice behind me, and then I saw Coombs standing before the door of the second cabin.

Half dressed as he was, his ever-present "gun" hung low at his hip, and his face scowled in surprised recognition.
"What does this mean, Broussard ?" he growled savagely.

"Where did you pick up that fellow ?".