er. Now, tell me exactly what you heard."

"While a treaty was going forward for the Government purchase of Indian
lands, there arose a quarrel, and two red men were upon slight grounds
punished cruelly. Then the whole tribe went off in the night, carrying
as prisoners two Englishmen--one by force. The other is believed to have
offered himself willingly as a hostage, until the reparation of what he
considered an injustice shown by his countrymen to the Indians. You may
guess who he was."

"Uncle Brian, of course," cried Nathanael, pacing the room. "Just like
him! He would do the maddest things for the sake of honour."

Anne Valery's eyes flashed in the dark a momentary brightness, as if
they were growing young again.

"But his life is surely safe: all over the Indian country they respect
the very name of Brian Harper. No harm can touch him--it is quite
impossible!"

"I think so too." And Miss Valery drew a long breath. "Still, such
danger is very terrible--is it not?" And she turned slightly, to include
Agatha in their conversation.

"Oh, terrible!" the girl cried, deeply interested. "But could he not
be sought for--rescued? Could not a party be despatched after him? If I
were a man I would head one immediately."

Miss Valery, faintly smiling, patted Agatha's hand. It was easy to
see that this good heart opened itself at once to Nathanael's young
betrothed.

"That is what I had in my own mind, and should have spoken of to his
nephew here--a party of search which the Canadian Government, if urged,
would no doubt consent to. Nathanael could propose it--plan it. He is
both ingenious and wise."

"Ah, he is; he seems to know everything!" cried Agatha warmly. "Surely,
Mr. Harper, you could think of something--do something?"

"I could," said the nephew, slowly waking from a long interval of
thought. "I could do--what perhaps I ought, and will--for him who has
been more than a father to me."

"What is that?" Agatha asked, while Miss Valery regarded him silently.

"To go back to America--head a search; or, if that is refused me, search
for him myself alone, and never give up until I find him--living or
dead."

"Ah, do so! that will be right, generous, noble--you could not fail."

"There is no saying, Agatha; only, if done, it must be done without
delay. I must start at once--in a week--nay a day--leaving England,
home, you, everything. That is hard!"

He uttered the last words inaudibly, and his left hand was