All her
art failed in detecting the presence of Haco, perhaps because her
engines were powerless when directed against one of her own blood; but
she easily ascertained that the warriors in the opposing camp looked to
Jean as their leader, that his spirit pervaded all, and that his ardour
to protect his sacred charge filled him with a wondrous power which
astonished even those who from childhood had bent to his unchallenged
primacy.
Having satisfied herself as to the character of the opposing force, her
next step was to secure Jean's person. This presented no difficulty to
her. A scroll was delivered to the young leader by an unknown messenger,
who at once disappeared. Jean, seeing that the characters were those
which, as he believed, Austin alone was able to trace, took the scroll
to the sister who alone was able to interpret them. What Sister Theresa
read was alarming:--"Hasten! I am grievously sick; my strength fails! I
must see thee without delay." Jean was distressed beyond measure, but
Hilda, whom he hurried to consult, agreed with him that no time must be
lost in obeying the summons; the fact that Haco was at Lihou convinced
them that the father would not have sent for Jean if his case had not
been one of extreme danger.
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