"No. But I know de law of de _apache_. It would not be pleasant to
'ave one's t'roat cut an' be t'rown in de Seine."
The true meaning of the danger that she had run for him gave Jim Horton
a new and lively sense of his obligations and responsibilities to this
strange creature. He caught her hand to his lips and kissed it warmly.
"How can I ever repay you?" he blurted out.
Her face flushed gently and she regarded him with eyes almost maternal.
"What a boy you are!" she laughed.
"But a stranger to you. To have run such risks--to have made such a
struggle just because you knew I was helpless."
"It amuse' me, Jeem 'Orton. Sometimes I t'ink it is fear dat is de
_grande passion_--when one has tasted everyt'ing else in life. Fear.
To succeed in an adventure like this--_Et nous voila_! Quite safe and
comfortable--an' each of us 'as made a friend. Is not dees wort' all de
trouble?"
"Piquette!" he said, "you're a wonder! I'll never forget----"
"Ah, yes, you will, _mon petit_," she broke in with a shrug, "you are
different from 'Arry. You are always _le grand serieux_. It was what I
noticed at Javet's. You will love much, but you will never lie jus' to
make a woman 'appy. And me--you will forget, Jeem 'Orton."
"Never," he said stoutly, "never, Piquette. You're the bravest,
squarest woman in the world."