came along to hand
you this proposition. And it's one I wouldn't hand to another soul
living. I'm handing it to you because you're your father's son,
because I need a feller whose whole training leaves him with the north
trail beaten. It's up to you right here--and now."

The youngster smoked on in silence. Kars watched the battle going on
behind his averted eyes. He knew what he was up against. He was
struggling to save this boy against the overwhelming forces of extreme
youth and weakness. The whole of his effort was supported by the
barest thread. Would that thread hold?

Again came that nervous movement as Alec flung away his half-smoked
cigarette.

"When should we need to start?" he demanded almost brusquely.

"Two weeks from now."

The egoism of the boy left him almost unappreciative of what this man
was offering him. Kars had subtly flattered his vanity. He had done
it purposely. He had left the youngster with the feeling that he was
being asked a favor. There was relief in the tone of the reply. And
complaint followed it up.

"That's not so bad. You said 'right away.'"

Kars' eyes were regarding him steadily.

"I call that right away. Well? I'm not handing you any more of it
till you--accept," he added.

Alec suddenly sprang from the bed. He paced the room with long nervous
strides. He felt that never in his life had he faced such a crisis.
Kars simply looked on.

At last the boy spoke something of his thought aloud.

"By Gee! I can't refuse it. It's--it's too big. Two weeks. She'll
be crazy about it. She'll--by gad, I must do it. I can----"

He broke off abruptly. He came to the foot-rail of the bed. He stood
with his great hands clenching it firmly, as though for support.

"I'll go, Kars," he cried. "I'll go! And it's just great of you.
I--I--it was kind of hard. There's things----"

Kars nodded.

"Sure," he said, with a smile. "But--she'll wait for you--if she's the
woman you guess. It's only a year. But say, you'll need to sign a
bond. A bond of secrecy, and--good faith. There's no quitting--once
it's signed."

The big man's eyes shone squarely into the boy's. And something of the
dead father looked back at him.

"Curse it, I'll sign," Alec cried with sudden force. "I'll sign
anything. Millions of dollars! I'll sign right away, and I'll--play
as you'd have me."

The boy passed a hand through his hair. His decision had cost him
dearly. But he h