ave it
all. I am glad you know, you are a man of great honor. You will not tell
others. You will protect me from them." There was no question in her
voice.

Johnny put out his hand in silence. Her small brown one rested in his for
a moment.

Then in drowsy silence they sat by the sputtering lamp until the tinkle of
bell, the clatter of harness, the shout of drivers, and the distant lowing
of cattle, told them it was another day.

That day's business was quickly brought to a close. Before the sun was
high in the heavens, Johnny found himself once more tucked beside his
interpreter in the cutter, slowly following his Russians, who drove a
splendid herd of cattle over the snow-clad fields and hard-packed roads
toward Vladivostok. Johnny owned that herd. Soon it would be supplying
nourishment to the hungry little ones.

The return journey was crowded with recollections of other days, of those
days when he and Cio-Cio-San had followed the glistening trail to the far
Northland. But, as the spires of the cathedral in the city loomed up to
greet him, Johnny's mind was filled with many wonderings and not a few
misgivings. He was coming to the city of eastern Russia which more than
any other had seen revolt and counter-revolt, pillage and sudden death. In
that city now, starvation and disease stalked unmolested. In that city,
the wary Japanese military police maintained order while many a rampant
radical lurked in a corner to slay any who did not believe in his gospel
of unlimited freedom and license. Into that city Johnny must go. Every man
in it craved gold and food, and Johnny had both. He would use it for the
good of the sufferers, if he was given time. But those who rob and kill,
do not wait. He was troubled about Mazie. He had trusted gold to her care.
Had he acted unwisely; subjected her to needless perils?

He thought of the Oriental who had attempted to take his life back there
in the Mongol's camp. There had been a strong resemblance between this man
and the band of men who had attempted to rob Mine No. 1. Had they secured
reindeer and made their way to Vladivostok? If so, they would dog his
trail, using every foul means to regain possession of the gold. And Mazie?
If they had entered the city, had they discovered that part of the gold
was in her hands? He shivered at the thought of it.

At last, leaving the cattle in a great yard, surrounded by a stone fence,
some five miles from the outskirts, he drove hurriedly