e added, "-- to risk your life
for my father's property. Because the morocco case which you saved
proved to be empty does not make what you did any less loyal and
gallant."

Darragh gazed at her, astounded; took the hand she stretched out to him;
held it with a silly expression on his features.

"Hal Smith," she said with perceptible emotion, "I take back what I once
said to you on Owl Marsh. No man is a real crook by nature who did what
you have done. That is `faithfulness unto death' -- the supreme offer
-- loyalty----"

Her voice broke; she pressed Darragh's hand convulsively and her lip
quivered.

Darragh, with the morocco case full of jewels buttoned into his hip
pocket, stood motionless, mutely swallowing his amazement.

What in the world did this girl mean, talking about an _empty_ case?

But this was no time to unravel that sort of puzzle. He turned to
Stormont who, as perplexed as he, had been listening in silence.

"Lead your horse forward," he said. "I know the trail. All you need do
is to follow me." And, shouldering his rifle, he walked leisurely into
the woods, the cartridge belt sagging _en bandouliere_ across his
woollen undershirt.

* * * * *

II

When Stormont gently halted his horse it was dawn, and Eve sagging
against him with one arm around his neck, sat huddled up on her saddle
fast asleep.

In a birch woods, on the eastern slope of the divide, stood the log
camp, dimly visible in the silvery light of early morning.

Darragh, cautioning Stormont with a slight gesture, went forward,
mounted the rustic veranda, and knocked at a lighted window.

A man, already dressed, came and peered out at him, then hurried to open
the door.

"I didn't know you, Captain Darragh----" he began, but fell silent under
the warning gesture that checked him.

"I've a guest outside. She's Clinch's step-daughter, Eve Strayer. She
knows me by the name of Hal Smith. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir----"

"Cut _that_ out, too. I'm Hal Smith to you, also. State Trooper
Stormont is out here with Eve Strayer. He was a comrade of mine in
Russia. I'm Hal Smith to him, by mutual agreement. _Now_ do you get
me, Ralph?"

"Sure, Hal. Go on; spit it out!"

They both grinned.

"You're a hootch runner," said Darragh. "This is your shack. The
hatchery is only a blind. That's all you have to know, Ralph. So put
that girl into my room and let her sleep till she wakes of her own
accord.

"Stormo