her.

Stormont followed, entered Clinch's quarters, and presently came
downstairs again, carrying Clinch's snow-shoes and a basket pack.

He seated himself near Darragh. After a silence: "Your wife is
beautiful, Jim. ... Her character seems to be even more beautiful. ...
She's like God's own messenger to Eve. ... And -- you're rather
wonderful yourself----"

"Nonsense," said Darragh, "I've given my wife her first American friend
and I've done a shrew stroke of business in nabbing the best business
associate I ever heard of----"

"You're crazy but kind. ... I hope I'll be some good. ... One thing;
I'll never get over what you've done for Eve in this crisis----"

"There'll be no crisis, Jack. Marry, and hook up with me in business.
That solves everything. ... Lord! -- what a life Eve has had! But
you'll make it all up to her ... all this loneliness and shame and
misery of Clinch's Dump----"

Stormont touched his arm in caution: Eve and Ricca came down the stairs
-- the former now in the grey wool snow-shoe dress, and carrying her
snow-shoes, black gown, and toilet articles.

Stormont began to stow away her effects in the basket pack; Darragh went
over to her and took her hand.

"I'm so glad we are to be friends," he said. "It hurt a lot to know you
held me in contempt. But I had to go about it that way."

Eve nodded. Then, suddenly recollecting: "Oh," she exclaimed,
reddening, "I forgot the jewel case! It's under my pillow----"

She turned and sped upstairs and reappeared almost instantly, carrying
the jewel-case.

Breathless, flushed, thankful and happy in the excitement of
restitution, she placed the leather case in Ricca's hands.

"My jewels!" cried the girl, astonished. Then, with a little cry of
delight, she placed the case upon the table, stripped open the
emblazoned cover, and emptied the two trays. All over the table rolled
the jewels, flashing, scintillating, ablaze with blinding light.

And at the same instant the outer door crashed open and Quintana covered
them with Darragh's rifle.

"Now, by Christ!" he shouted, "who stirs a finger shall go to God in one
jump! You, my gendarme frien' -- _you,_ my frien' Smith -- turn your
damn backs -- han's up high! -- tha's the way! -- now, ladies! -- back
away there -- get back or I kill! -- sure, by Jesus, I kill you like I
would some white little mice!----"

With incredible quickness he stepped forward and swept the jewels into
one hand --