will close in on a place
called the Schapka Clearing, where there is a woodman's refuge. If we
care to put on our snow-shoes, this man will guide us to the clearing
and take care of us till the battue is over."

Of course Maggie welcomed the proposal with delight, and after a hasty
luncheon the three glided off through the forest as noiselessly as they
had come. After a tiring walk of an hour and more they came to the
clearing, and were duly concealed in the hut.

No one, the keeper told the ladies, except Paul, knew of their presence
in the little wooden house. The arrangements of the beat had been
slightly altered at the last moment after the hunters had separated. The
keeper lighted a small fire and shyly attended to the ladies, removing
their snow-shoes with clumsy fingers. He closed the door, and arranged a
branch of larch across the window so that they could stand near it
without being seen.

They had not been there long before De Chauxville appeared. He moved
quickly across the clearing, skimming over the snow with long, sweeping
strides. Two keepers followed him, and after having shown him the rough
hiding-place prepared for him, silently withdrew to their places. Soon
Karl Steinmetz came from another direction, and took up his position
rather nearer to the hut, in a thicket of pine and dwarf oak. He was
only twenty yards away from the refuge where the girls were concealed.

It was not long before Paul came. He was quite alone, and suddenly
appeared at the far end of the clearing, in very truth a mighty hunter,
standing nearly seven feet on his snow-shoes. One rifle he carried in
his hand, another slung across his back. It was like a silent scene on a
stage. The snow-white clearing, with long-drawn tracks across it where
the snow-shoes had passed, the still trees, the brilliant sun, and the
blue depths of the forest behind; while Paul, like the hero of some grim
Arctic saga, a huge fur-clad Northern giant, stood alone in the
desolation.

From his attitude it was apparent that he was listening. It was probable
that the cries of the birds and the distant howl of a wolf told his
practised ears how near the beaters were. He presently moved across to
where De Chauxville was hidden, spoke some words of advice or warning to
him, and pointed with his gloved hand in the direction whence the game
might be expected to come.

It subsequently transpired that Paul was asking De Chauxville the
whereabouts of Steinmetz,