to rise.

Mary said: "He say he got go now."

Stonor laid a heavy hand on the Indian's shoulder. "Sit down! Not until
this matter is explained. Perhaps the man did not kill himself. Perhaps
he was murdered."

Etzooah seemed beside himself with terror.

"Ask him what he's afraid of?"

"He say he sick in his mind because his friend is dead."

"Nonsense! This is not grief, but terror. Tell him I want the truth now.
I asked as a friend at first: now I ask in the name of the law."

Etzooah suddenly rolled away on the ground out of Stonor's reach. Then,
springing to his feet with incredible swiftness, he cut for the water's
edge. But Mary stuck out her leg in his path and he came to earth with a
thud. Stonor secured him. Clare from where she sat looked up with
startled eyes.

"For the last time I ask you what you know about this matter," said
Stonor sternly. "If you refuse to answer, I'll carry you outside and put
you in the white man's jail."

Etzooah answered sullenly.

"He say he know not'ing," said Mary.

"Get the tracking-line, and help me tie his hands and feet."

When Etzooah saw that Stonor really meant to do what he said, he
collapsed.

"He say he tell now," said Mary.

Etzooah spoke rapidly and tremblingly to Mary. Little doubt now that he
was telling the truth, thought Stonor, watching him. The effect of his
communication on the stolid Mary was startling in the extreme. She
started back, and the same look of panic terror appeared in her eyes.
She was unable to speak.

"For God's sake, what's the matter with you all?" cried Stonor.

Mary moistened her dry lips. She faltered: "He say--he say he so scare
when you say you find Imbrie's body five sleeps ago because--because two
sleeps ago Imbrie spell wit' him beside the river."

It was the turn of Stonor's jaw to drop, and his eyes to stare.
"But--but this is nonsense!" he cried.

Clare could no longer contain her curiosity. "What is the matter,
Martin?" she asked.

"Some red-skin mumbo-jumbo," he answered angrily. "I'll soon get to the
bottom of it."

Lowering his voice, he said to Mary: "Have him tell me exactly what
happened two sleeps ago."

Mary translated as Etzooah spoke. "Two sleeps ago. The sun was half-way
to the middle of the sky. I spell down river near the rapids on the
point where the tepee-poles are. I see White Medicine Man come paddling
up. I moch surprise see him all alone because I know you gone down to
see him. I call to