was obvious that the chances were against his
discovering anything, but he persevered, working steadily nearer to the
homestead, of which he once or twice caught a glimpse where the trees
were thinner.

At length he stopped suddenly and cast a quick glance around. He had
heard a sharp crack behind him, but it was not repeated and there was
little to be seen. While he listened, the wind wailed among the branches
and the sloo grass rustled eerily. The patch of sky above him was growing
darker, and the wood looked, inexpressibly dreary; but as the light was
going, there was more reason for his making use of it. Though he was
getting tired, he pushed on; avoiding fallen trunks and branches where he
could, and floundering through thickets, he came to a small hollow which
traversed the bluff. As it was nearly filled with drifted snow, he
stepped down upon its white surface and, breaking through, sank above his
boots in withered leaves. These, he thought, would effectively hide
anything laid among them until it rotted and crumbled into their decay.
He followed up the hollow, kicking the snow aside. He fancied that he
heard the snapping sound again; but he was too eager to feel much
curiosity about the cause of it, and there was nothing to be seen. The
light was dying out rapidly, heavy snow was coming, and he must make the
best use of his time.

After a while, his foot struck something which did not yield as the
leaves had done, and dropping on his knees he dragged it out. A thrill of
excitement ran through him as he saw that is was a suit of clothes and
made out in the gathering dusk that their color was brown. Then, as he
rose with grim satisfaction, he saw with a start two indistinct figures
watching him a dozen yards away. They moved forward, and he recognized
the first of them as Curtis.

"Mr. Jernyngham?" said the corporal.

"Yes," said Jernyngham. "Who did you think it was?"

"Well," returned Curtis dryly, "we didn't expect to find you. What
brought you here?"

"I've been doing your work with more success than seems to have attended
your efforts." He pointed to the clothes. "To my mind, this is
conclusive."

An icy blast that set them shivering went roaring through the wood, but
they were too intent to heed it, and Curtis picked up one of the
garments. He could see only that it was a jacket, for darkness was
closing in suddenly.

"I'll allow it's kind of suggestive," he admitted guardedly.

Jernyngham broke