th almost electrical swiftness as his final words came
with a low, biting emphasis. And his movement was in response to the
swift opening of the door of the office.

John Kars was standing in its framing.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN

It was a moment of intensity such as rarely fails to leave a landmark
in the lives of those concerned. For Murray McTavish it was as though
every fear that had ever haunted him from the rivalry of John Kars had
suddenly been translated into concrete form. For Jessie the hero of
all her dreams had magically responded to her unspoken appeal for
succor. John Kars felt something approaching elation at the unerring
instinct which had prompted his visit to the Fort on the instant of
arrival. Bill Brudenell looked on as usual with eyes calm in their
passionless wisdom. To him fortune's wheel was distinctly revolving in
their favor.

Passing the window both he and Kars had caught and read the girl's half
terrified glance. Both of them had seen Murray standing before her,
and realized something of the passionate urgency of manner he was
laboring under. Their interpretation of the scene remained each to
himself. No word passed between them. Only had Kars' gait increased
as he hurried round towards the door.

Now Kars' tone gave his friend and supporter infinite satisfaction.
Bill even felt he had miscalculated the primal instincts which governed
this man. He knew he was exercising a powerful restraint. And it
pleased as well as astonished him.

"Why, say, you folks, I'm glad to have found you right away," Kars
said, with perfect cordiality. "We just pulled in on the trail, and
came right along up while Charley fixes things. We weren't sure of
getting Murray this time of year."

Murray was completely master of himself. He was smiling his usual
greeting while John Kars shook hands with Jessie. Nor was his smile
any the less that his rival's words were for Jessie rather than for
him. He watched the new look born in the girl's eyes at sight of Kars
without a sign of emotion. And though it roused in him a fury of
jealousy his response only seemed to gain in cordiality. He laughed.

"You're kind of lucky, too," he said. "I only got in from Leaping
Horse two days back, and I'm pulling out north right away."

It was Bill who answered him. Jessie had picked up her oilskin, and
Kars was assisting her into it.

"You only got in two days back?" Bill's brows