up there
after Spurling; and he was angry when he knew that you had gone there,
because he wanted it for himself."

"Did he stop here all summer?"

"Yes, but father went away. I think he must have followed you. He got
back four days before your return."

"Humph! I suspected that, for I saw something that was very like him
there. . . . And do you still think that they have gone to tell the
Mounted Police only in order that Spurling may be arrested?"

"I don't know; but that's what they said. I chose to believe them
because that was the only way in which I could keep you for myself."

"Well, then, listen. No matter what Eyelids and Beorn may intend, if
the Mounted Police once get hold of me the result will be that I shall
get hanged. The one way in which you can keep me for yourself is to
help me to escape. I can't take you with me as you are at present; you
know that. And I can't strike the trail alone; I must have someone to
help me take the gold out. There's no one but Spurling. Besides, I've
promised to stick by him; he saved my life once, and I'm paying back
the debt. When once I've reached Winnipeg, I'll be able to purchase
friends who will hide me, if need be; but I hope to get there ahead of
the news of my escape, before the police have my description and are
on the lookout. I shall strike for the south, and, when the hunt is
over and I'm given up for dead, I'll send you word where you can join
me."

"You never will do that."

"And why not?"

"Because you will be dead."

Granger was losing patience. Whatever reasoning he used, he could not
move her beyond that one assertion.

"Won't you help me to take the one chance of life that I think I
have?" he said. "It can't make much difference to you if Spurling does
kill me on the trail; if I stay here, I shall die a few weeks later,
more disgracefully."

She stood up and led him over to the window, through which the moon
was shining, so that he could see her face. She placed her arms about
his neck, as if she were a white woman. "I will tell you the truth
now," she said; "I have been keeping something back that I might save
you from yourself. Since you joined with this man and helped him take
the gold from the Forbidden River, Eyelids and my father have both
become your enemies. The factor did send his message that your life
would be spared if Spurling was given up, but I think he was speaking
falsely. I have tried to keep you near me because I alone, if