d he turned them over and over in his hand, gazing almost in awe upon
the bold, angular writing. Then, very slowly, he began to read the
words.

Unconsciously, he read them aloud, and as he read a strange lump arose
in his throat so that his voice became husky and the words faltered.
He read the letter through to the end. He leaped to his feet and
strode rapidly up and down the room, his fists clenched and his breath
coming in great gasps.

Bob MacNair was fighting. Fighting against an irresistible impulse--an
impulse as new and strange to him as though born of another world--an
impulse to find Chloe Elliston, to take her in his arms, and to crush
her close against his wildly pounding heart.

Minutes passed as the man strode up and down the length of the little
room, and then once more he seated himself at the table and read the
letter through.

"DEAR MR. MACNAIR:

"I cannot leave the North without this little word to you. I have
learned many things since I last saw you--things I should have learned
long ago. You were right about the Indians, about Lapierre, about
_me_. I know now that I have been a fool. Lapierre always removed his
hat in my presence, therefore he was a gentleman! Oh, what a fool I
was!

"I will not attempt to apologize. I have been too _nasty_, and
_hateful_, and _mean_ for any apology. You said once that some day we
should be friends. I am reminding you of this because I want you to
think of me as a friend. Wherever I may be, I will think of
you--always. Of the splendid courage of the man who, surrounded by
treachery and intrigue and the vicious attacks of the powers that prey,
dares to stand upon his convictions and to fight alone for the good of
the North--for the cause of those who will never be able to fight for
themselves.

"It will not be necessary to tell you that I shall go straight to the
headquarters of the Mounted and withdraw my charge against you. I have
heard of your lawless raids into the far North; I think they are
_splendid_! Keep the good work up! Shoot as straight as you can--as
straight as you shot that night on Snare Lake. I should love to stand
at your side and shoot, too. But that can never be.

"Just a word more. Lena is going to marry LeFroy; and, knowing Lena as
I do, I think his reformation is assured. I am leaving everything to
them. The contents of the storehouse will set them up as independent
traders.

"And now farewell. I want you t