With the North Star over the water for our guidance, I headed the blunt nose of the boat due eastward into the untracked waters.
I confess that my memory was still lingering upon De Croix, and my eyes turned often enough along our foam-flecked wake in vague wonderment at his fate.

It was Mademoiselle who laid hand softly on my knee at last, and aroused my attention to her.
"Why did you tell Sister Celeste that you came to Dearborn seeking Elsa Matherson ?" she questioned, her clear eyes intently reading my face.
"I had even forgotten that I mentioned it," I answered, surprised at this query at such a time.

"But it is strictly true.

While upon his death-bed Elsa Matherson's father wrote to mine,--they were old comrades in the great war,--and I was sent hither to bring the orphan girl eastward.

I sought her as a brother might seek a sister he had never seen, Mademoiselle; yet have failed most miserably in my mission." "How failed ?" "In that I have found no trace of the girl, and beyond doubt she perished in the massacre.