ormation is this. Little Pine, in whose movements
you are all interested, I understand, is at this present moment lodging
with the Sarcee Indians, and next week will move on to visit old
Crowfoot. The Sarcee visit amounts to little, but the visit to old
Crowfoot--well, I need say no more to you, Cameron. Probably you know
more about the inside workings of old Crowfoot's mind than I do."

"Visiting Crowfoot?" exclaimed Cameron. "Then I was there too soon."

"That is his present intention, and I have no doubt the program will
be carried out," said Raven. "My information is from the inside. Of
course," he continued, "I know you have run across the trail of the
North Cree and Salteaux runners from Big Bear and Beardy. They are
not to be despised. But Little Pine is a different person from these
gentlemen. The big game is scheduled for the early spring, will probably
come off in about six weeks. And now," he said, rising from his chair,
"I must be off."

At this point Smith came in and quietly took a seat beside Jerry near
the door.

"And what's your information for me, Mr. Raven?" inquired the
Superintendent. "You are not going to deprive me of my bit of news?"

"Ah, yes--news," replied Raven, sitting down again. "Briefly this.
Little Thunder has yielded to some powerful pressure and has again
found it necessary to visit this country, I need hardly add, against my
desire."

"Little Thunder?" exclaimed the Superintendent, and his tone indicated
something more than surprise. "Then there will be something doing.
And where does this--ah--this--ah--friend of yours propose to locate
himself?"

"This friend of mine," replied Raven, with a hard gleam in his eye and
a bitter smile curling his lips, "who would gladly adorn his person with
my scalp if he might, will not ask my opinion as to his location, and
probably not yours either, Mr. Superintendent." As Raven ceased speaking
he once more rose from his chair, put on his leather riding coat and
took up his cap and gauntlets. "Farewell, Mrs. Cameron," he said,
offering her his hand. "Believe me, it has been a rare treat to see you
and to sit by your fireside for one brief half-hour."

"Oh, but Mr. Raven, you are not to think of leaving us before dinner.
Why this haste?"

"The trail I take," said Raven in a grave voice, "is full of pitfalls
and I must take it when I can. The Superintendent knows," he added.
But his smile awoke no response in the Superintendent, who sat rig