were there?" he at
length asked.

"I didn't see any," was the reply. "But we met several teams on our
way up."

"And you saw no one near the place at all?"

"We didn't see any one near where we were going to have our lunch, but
as we were coming home we saw the artist down by our brook."

"You did? And where was he?"

"Not far from Pyramid Rock. I don't think he saw us, for we hurried by
as fast as we could."

"Why did you do that?"

"Because I'm afraid of him."

"What, did he ever do anything to frighten you?"

"No. But he makes me shiver all over. I can't understand why it is."

Jasper found David crouched in his big easy chair near the open window
facing the falls. His eyes brightened as the young man entered and sat
down by his side.

"It is good of you to come," David began, "for I have been anxious to
speak to you ever since we came back from up the brook. You may go,"
and he motioned Betty to the door. "I wish to be alone for a while
with Mr. Randall."

He waited until the door had closed behind the girl, and then turned
his eyes upon his visitor's face. Jasper noted the worry there, and at
once connected it with his experience up the brook that afternoon.

"Has Betty told you?" and David laid his right hand gently upon
Jasper's arm.

"About the rolling log, and your narrow escape this afternoon?"

David nodded.

"Yes, she told me about it on our way here. I am so thankful that you
were not hurt."

"I might have been killed! It was nothing less than a miracle that I
escaped."

"It has shaken you up a great deal, so I see. But you will be all
right after a good night's sleep. Your nerves are somewhat unstrung
now."

"Perhaps so," the old man mused. "But I feel uneasy. It may be the
shock, as you suggest. But there is something in my heart that I
cannot explain. I never had such a feeling before, and I thought that
perhaps you could help me."

"In what way?" Jasper asked, as David paused as if groping for the
right words.

"It appears as if everything is about to slip away from me. I seem
to-night as if about to start on a long mysterious journey, and that I
shall never return. People call me crazy, and perhaps they have good
reason for doing so. You may think the same, and especially so now as
you listen to my words. But I cannot help this peculiar notion that
possesses me and almost overwhelms me with strange forebodings. It may
be the outcome of a mind diseas