I--I left him here when I went down stairs; when I came back he was gone." "And you say he was wounded ?" "Certainly--you ought to know, the blow of an assassin, not a soldier." She looked straight at me, her cheeks red, her eyes burning with indignation.

Then, as though she could bear my presence no longer, she swept into the room, and closed the door in my face.

It was an action of such utter contempt that I actually staggered back, grasping the rail of the stair.

What in the name of Heaven had gained possession of the girl?
What infernal lie had been told her?
By all the gods, I would find Le Gaire, and choke the truth out of him.

My head ached yet with the blow he had dealt me, but this hurt worse.