serious conversation; indeed,
he was rather casual, as a rule, but Harding, who was shrewd, saw
beneath the surface a love of order, and what he thought of as
constructive ability.

"I guess you're right, but your speaking of India, reminds me of
something I want to mention. I've been thinking over what Clarke said
to you. His game's obvious, and it might have been a profitable one.
He wanted you to help him in squeezing Colonel Challoner."

"He knows now that he applied to the wrong man."

"That's so; it's my point. Suppose the fellow goes to work without
you? It looks as if he'd learned enough to make him dangerous."

"He can do nothing. Let him trump up any plausible theory he likes; it
won't stand for a moment after I deny it."

"True," said Harding gravely. "But if you were out of the way, he'd
have a free hand. Since you wouldn't join him you're a serious
obstacle."

Blake laughed. "I'm glad I am, and as I come of a healthy stock
there's reason to believe I'll continue one."

Harding said nothing more, and they went on in silence through the
gathering darkness The spruces were losing shape and getting blacker,
though through openings here and there they could see a faint line of
smoky red on the horizon. A cold wind wailed among the branches, and
the thud of the tired horses' feet rang dully among the shadowy trunks.
At length, reaching a strip of higher ground, the men pitched camp and
turned out the hobbled horses to graze among the swamp grass that lined
a muskeg. After supper they sat beside their fire, and by and by
Benson took his pipe from his mouth.

"I've had enough of this, and I'm only a drag on you," he said. "Give
me grub enough to see me through, and I'll start back for the
settlement first thing in the morning."

"Don't be a fool," Blake said sharply. "You'll get harder and feel the
march less every day. Are you willing to let Clarke get hold of you
again?"

"I don't want to go. I'm driven; I can't help myself."

Blake felt sorry for him. He imagined that Benson had made a hard
fight, but he was being beaten by his craving. Still, it seemed unwise
to show any sympathy.

"You want to wallow like a hog for two or three days that you'll regret
all your life," he said. "You have your chance of breaking free now.
Be a man and take it. Hold out a little longer and you'll find it
easier."

Benson regarded him with a mocking smile. "I'm inclined to think the
jag you so