oard
so you can wrap up and have a sleep."

"I feel as if I'd never sleep again," she sighed.

"Now, now, this will come out all right yet. I'd take you down there
myself, but I've got to stay here. I've got work to do. Yes, I've sure
got work of importance ahead of me."

"I must go back and get some clothes," she said, At which he would have
demurred had he not seen that she could not travel in her present
condition.

"Very well. But don't let anybody see you."

"Of course not."

"It's getting late, and your folks will be abed." He looked at his
watch. "Midnight! Be here in an hour, and I'll have the skiff ready."

The light of sacrifice was in Necia's eyes, and her cheeks were
blanched with the pallor of a great resolution. She did not stop to
reason why or how she had been led to this disposal of her future, but
clutched desperately at Stark's plan of rescue from her agonizing
predicament.

"I'll be here in an hour," she said, simply.

He let her out, closed the door after her, and locked it; then, drawing
a deep breath, he raised his clenched hands above his head, and gave a
great sigh of exultation. Next he took out his six-shooter and examined
it carefully. The shells did not suit him, so he filled the gun with
new ones, loosened the three lower buttons of his vest, and slid the
weapon inside his trousers band; then, facing the direction of Gale's
trading-post, he spoke aloud.

"I was a long time coming, Gaylord, but I'm here, and I've got you
where I've wanted you these fifteen years--yes, and I've got you, too,
Burrell! By God, this is my night!"

His lithe body became panther-like in poise, his bearing that of the
meat-eating animal, and his face set in a fierce, exultant cruelty as
he blew out his light and left the cabin.

CHAPTER XIV

A MYSTERY IS UNRAVELLED

Lieutenant Burrell was considerably taken aback when, a quarter of an
hour after the young lover's ecstatic return to his quarters, Gale
knocked at his door, for the trader's visit, coupled with the late hour
and his sombre countenance, forecast new complications.

"He's here to object, but it won't go," thought the Lieutenant, as he
made his visitor welcome.

It was the trader's first glimpse of the officer's quarters, and he
cast a roving eye over the room, as if measuring the owner's character
by his surroundings.

"I've got to have a long talk with you, Burrell," he began, with an
effort. "It's liable to take me an ho