He'd only have to skip
from one hole to another. Eh, Greenoak?" The latter nodded.

"Well, it's abominably cruel all the same," repeated Hazel as she turned
away. "Aren't I right, Mr Selmes?"

"A trap that doesn't kill outright always is cruel," answered the
diplomatic Dick, whose last wish in the world was to disagree with her.
"I know I've often thought it hard luck on the rabbits at home when they
got into one--poor little beggars."

"Do you know," she went on, jumping from one subject to another, "I
can't tell you how glad I am to have had the opportunity of meeting Mr
Greenoak. What a splendid man he is! Isn't he?"

"Rather. He's a thundering good old chap."

Hazel lifted an eyebrow.

"Old! But you surely don't call him old. Why, he's just in his prime.
Oh, I see, you mean it as a term of comradeship," she added.

"Er--yes. That was it," agreed Dick, upon whose mind a very unwelcome
qualm was beginning to force itself.

"So strong and cool and clearheaded," she went on, "and such nerve.
Why, he's everything a man should be. Don't you agree with me?"

"Most decidedly."

"Ah, I like to hear a man speak well of another."

"Why? Isn't it usual?" said Dick.

"No. At least not within my experience. Almost invariably if I boom
one man to another that other will either agree half-heartedly, or find
something disparaging to say."

"Well, even if I felt that way inclined, I should be an absolutely
unspeakable cur were I to say anything of the sort about Greenoak,
considering that this is the third time he has saved my life," answered
Dick.

"Is it? Oh, do tell me about the others," cried Hazel, eagerly.

"I can't tell you about the other because it comes into the mystery of
this place, as to which, as you know, we are sworn to secrecy. But I
told you the first. It was the night I shot the big buffalo."

Looking down into the bright, sparkling eager face, Dick Selmes was
conscious of that unwelcome misgiving taking even more definite hold of
his mind. The eagerness with which she hung upon his words was not
because they were _his_ words. Greenoak of all people! Why, he must be
old enough to be her father, concluded Dick, in his inexperience rather
consoling himself with the thought.

"Yes, you told me that," rejoined Hazel. "But you are only one of many.
Harley Greenoak has the reputation of having saved countless lives and
got no end of people out of difficulties of one kind or anot