a
tremulous sigh, laid her soft cheek against his rough, unshaven one.
They sat there until the tent was filled with the lovely gray of the
filtered moonlight. Then Roger persuaded Charley to lie down. But when
she had done so she clung to his hand.

"Stay with me, just a little bit longer," she whispered. Roger seated
himself on the floor, clasping her hand closely. It was not long before
Charley, still clinging to his hand, drifted off into uneasy slumber.
Roger then leaned his tired head against the pillow and cramped as he
was in his sitting posture, he dropped into a profound sleep.

Thus Gustav found them at dawn. His face was tear-stained but he smiled
a little with a look that was full of pity and understanding. He tried
to tiptoe out without a sound but a board creaked and Charley sat up,
stared at him, then exclaimed:

"I must go up and dress her."

Roger clambered to his feet. Gustav came over to the cot and took
Charley's hand in both his own.

"Miss Elsa haf dressed her, in the leedle vite dress and sash. And den,
Miss Charley, you know how in so few hours Gott changes the bodies ve
love so ve can't vish to haf them longer--so ve lay the little sister up
on the mountain side last night, ven the moon came."

Charley sat staring at him with horror in her eyes, then when he had
ceased speaking, she lay back and closed her eyes and the two men left
her.

Later in the day, it was decided that Gustav must drive Dick, who was in
great pain, into Archer's Springs to the doctor. Charley absolutely
refused to see Dick or to offer any suggestions.

Just as the wagon with Dick perching on the cot at the bottom was ready
to start for the camp Ernest called:

"Oh, Gustav, be sure to find out about the Smithsonian's visitor and
wire to Washington the reason for our failure to meet him."

Roger, who was standing in the living tent, caught his breath. Through
his grief for Felicia merged realization that his great opportunity had
come and gone. For the first time in three days he turned to the engine
house.

CHAPTER XIV

WASHINGTON

After the wagon was a receding dust-cloud on the trail, Charley went
back up to the adobe, where Elsa was to stay on with her, and Ernest to
sleep at night.

Outwardly life assumed its old routine. Gustav returned on the third day
and reported that Dick was established at Doc Evans' house and that the
Doc said "he'd have Dick about again in two or three weeks if no ne