on't tell her--about Sindy?"

"Not as long as you're decent. That's for you to settle for
yourself--whether she finds out about her."

Harold believed him. While he himself would have used the smirch as a
weapon against his rival, he knew that Bill meant what he said. "I'll
go," he announced. "If she's at the Gray Lake cabin, we've got plenty
of time to make it before dark."

XV

Harold Lounsbury found to his surprise that they were not to start at
once. It soon became evident that Bill had certain other matters on his
mind.

"Build a fire and put on some water to heat--fill up every pan you
have," he instructed Sindy. He himself began to cram their little stove
with wood. Harold watched with ill-concealed anxiety.

"What's that for?" he asked at last.

Bill straightened up and faced him. "You didn't think I was going to
take you looking like you do, do you--into Virginia's presence? The
first thing on the program is--a bath."

Harold flushed: the red glow was evident even through the sooty
accumulation on his face. "It seems to me you're going a little outside
your authority as Miss Tremont's representative. I don't know that I
need to have any hillbilly tell me when I need a bath."

"Yes?" Bill's eyes twinkled--for the first time during their talk.
"Hillbilly is right--in contrast to a cultured gentleman of cities.
But let me correct you. You may not know it, but I do. And you need
one now." He turned once more to Sindy. "And see what you can do about
this gentleman's clothes, too; if he's got any clean underwear or any
other togs, load 'em out."

"Anything else?" Harold asked sarcastically.

"Several things. Have you got any kind of a razor?"

"No. I don't want one either."

"Better look around and find one. If you don't, I'll be obliged to
shave you with my jackknife--and it will be inclined to pull. It's
sharp enough for skinning grizzlies but not for that growth of yours.
And I'll try to trim your hair up for you a little, too. When you
bathe, bathe all over--don't spare your face or your hair. Water may
seem strange at first, but you'll get used to it. And I'll go over and
sit with Joe Robinson and his friend until you are ready. The
surroundings are more appetizing. If you can polish yourself well in an
hour, we'll make it through to-night."

Harold's heart burned, but he acquiesced. Then Bill turned and left him
to his ablutions.

Less than an hour later Harold