xt fall?"

"We can sell it--at a profit, too.... What's that?"

"That" was a sharp rap on the outer door. It was repeated again in a few
seconds. Callers were unusual at that time of the day, but all callers
were welcome enough in Alaska. Natalie ran out and unbarred the door. In
the dim light she saw the figure of a big man supporting a woman, who was
obviously on the verge of utter collapse.

"Why, vat is it?" she ejaculated in her broken English.

"It's all that's left of us," growled a voice. "I guess we're nearly
beat."

He staggered, and Natalie ran to the mute figure of Angela. "Father,
father!" she cried.

Devinne appeared in a second, and took in the situation at a glance. While
Jim relinquished Angela to the excited Natalie, Devinne took him by the
arm and led him into the sitting-room.

"It's good fortune that led you here. How long have you been without
food?"

"Two days."

"We'll soon put that right. Don't talk till you've eaten. I'll get you
something to take the edge off while Natalie cooks a sound meal."

He left Jim reclining on the couch, and came back with a loaf of bread and
some canned beef. Jim eyed the food with ravenous eyes.

"Where's Angela?" he queried.

"Angela?--who is--ah yes, your companion. You haven't told me your name."

"Conlan--Jim Conlan."

"And the lady?"

"My--my sister."

He started to see Angela standing in the doorway, her arm linked in that
of Natalie. She regarded him in amazement as the untruth left his lips,
and then came and sat down at the table.

"You vill excuse me. I go make something verra nice," said Natalie, and
vanished into the kitchen.

"Now go ahead," said Devinne. "Regard that as _hors-d'oeuvre_ till the
supper is ready."

They partook of the good home-made bread, and of the meat, Devinne
regarding them with kindly eyes.

"It's a good thing the steamer is early, or we might have been as badly
off as you. We have but a week's supply, but the new lot will be down in a
day or two.... Where have you come from?"

"Endicott," said Jim. "We lost our dogs and got delayed some. Gee, but
food is a wonderful thing!"

Natalie came in and discreetly removed the remainder of the loaf and the
meat.

"No more, pleece," she said. "You vill haf no room for zat supper. I haf
him on the stove now."

She laughed merrily, not a little pleased at this unexpected invasion. For
months she had seen no one but wandering Indians and grizzled miners. It
was