supple manner in which he twisted
his long white fingers about one another over the stove. He was a man
of about forty, with a thin sensitive face, strong rather than handsome,
and remarkable eyes. They were not large, nor far apart, but were like
twin dynamos, reflecting the life of the man within. They were the sort
of eyes which Philip had always associated with great mental power.

The doctor had now finished rubbing his hands, and, unbuttoning his
under coat, he drew a small silver cigarette case from his waistcoat
pocket.

"They're not poison," he smiled, opening it and offering the cigarettes
to Philip. "I have them made especially for myself." A sound outside the
door made him pause with a lighted match between his fingers. "How about
dogs and Indian?" he asked. "May they come in?"

Philip began hobbling toward the door.

"So exciting to meet a man from home that I forgot all about 'em," he
exclaimed.

With three or four quick steps the doctor overtook him and caught him by
the arm.

"Just a moment," he said quickly. "How far is Fort Smith from here?"

"About sixty miles."

"Do you suppose I could get there without--his assistance?"

"If you're willing to bunk here for a few days--yes," said Philip. "I'm
going on to Fort Smith myself as soon as I am able to walk."

An expression of deep relief came into the doctor's eyes.

"That's just what I want, Steele," he exclaimed, unfeignedly delighted
at Philip's suggestion. "I'm not well, and I require a little rest. Call
him in."

No sooner had the Indian entered than to Philip's astonishment the
little doctor began talking rapidly to him in Cree. The guide's eyes
lighted up intelligently, and at the end he replied with a single word,
nodded, and grinned. Philip noticed that as he talked a slight flush
gathered in the doctor's smooth cheeks, and that not only by his voice
but by the use of his hands as well he seemed anxious to impress upon
his listener the importance of what he was saying.

"He'll start back for Chippewayan this afternoon," he explained to
Philip a moment later. "The dogs and sledge are mine, and he says that
he can make it easily on snow-shoes." Then he lighted his cigarette and
added suggestively, "He can't understand English."

The Indian had caught a glimpse of Philip's belt and holster, and now
muttered a few low words, as though he were grumbling at the stove. The
doctor poised his cigarette midway to his lips and looked quickl