On the other hand, if some friend really needed me, a question of duty was involved, which--God helping--I was never one to shun; for who could know in how brief a space I might also be asking assistance of some countryman.

This mysterious stranger, this Madame de Noyan of whom I had never heard, knew my name--possibly had learned it from another, some wandering Englishman, perchance, whom she would aid in trouble, some old-time friend in danger, who, afraid to reveal himself, now appealed through her instrumentality for help in a strange land.

Deciding to brave the doubt and solve the mystery by action, I flung the long rifle across my shoulder and stood erect.
"All right, boy, lead on," I said shortly.

"I intend to learn what is behind this, and who it is that sends for me in New Orleans." Far from satisfied with the situation, yet determined now to probe the mystery to the bottom, I silently followed the black, attentive to his slightest movement.

It was a brief walk down one of the narrow streets leading directly back from the river front, so that within less than five minutes I was being silently shown into the small reception room of a tasty cottage, whose picturesque front was half concealed by a brilliant mass of trailing vines.