aughter of Dennis O'Day. But they must not know who you are. On the other
hand, if we meet anyone else, you are to impress them with the fact that
you are Superintendent Hobart's only child, and that you _must_ reach
Bitumen to-night."

Turning to Jefferies, she urged him to keep the horses moving. "I know the
carriage will be ruined, and the horses laid up with stiff joints for a
week or more; but I'll pay for that. Get us to Bitumen before daylight,
and Mr. McCantey may make the bill what he chooses."

Although they were moving as fast as it was possible it seemed but a
snail's pace to Elizabeth. She could realize nothing but that her father
was in danger. After hearing Nora's reasons for this sudden journey, she
spoke no word but sat rigid, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She was
leaning forward, trying to pierce the darkness of the road before them.
The rain beat into her face. Her cap and veil were drenched but she heeded
them not.

Determined to make the journey a trifle less strenuous for Elizabeth, Nora
kept up a continuous flow of talk. It mattered little about what; only
that there was no silence, but Elizabeth might as well have been a wooden
girl so far as listening to her companion was concerned. They left the
flat country roads, and began ascending the mountain. The road was so
narrow that heavy logs had been placed for safety along the outer side.

For the first time since the beginning of their journey Jefferies spoke:
"We should make better time here. The roads are well enough trained, and
we would if I could see a yard ahead of me. I'll let the horses go their
own gait--they're sure-footed enough. All we've got to do is to trust in
Providence. I'll get you there or kill the horses in trying."

At last, at the opening of a small ravine, the road broadened. The horses
sprang forward.

Suddenly Elizabeth, still looking eagerly ahead, exclaimed, "I see a
light! It looks like a lantern."

The click of the horses' hoofs upon the stones rang loud and clear.
Jefferies drew them up. He leaned over sidewise to peer about. "I was
trying to see just where we are. Oh, we're all right. That light hain't no
lantern. That's where Ketchomunoski lives. We'll go on. He may come out if
he hears us go by. I'll go slow and whip up just as we reach his shanty."

"Is he a miner?" It was Nora who asked the question.

"Yes."

"Draw down your veil, Elizabeth, and don't say a word to him. I'll do the
talking."