his house, because they had done so in
his absence and when he left the farm to drive in to the settlement he
had put on the clothes. There was a risk that somebody in Sebastian might
remember how he was dressed, but, as he had been there only once or twice
in the past few months, he did not think it was likely.

The garments would have to be sacrificed, which was unfortunate, because
clothing is dear in western Canada; but Wandle thought of a better means
of getting rid of them, than destroying them. It was obvious that the
suspicions of the police must fall on himself or Prescott, and he
preferred that the latter should be implicated. After a while, he saw
what could be done, provided there was wind enough to obliterate his
footsteps in the snow or there should be another fall.

He had to wait a few days; and then one evening he made up the clothes
into a bundle, saddled a horse, and rode off across the prairie toward
the Prescott homestead. It was very cold and he would have been more
comfortable wrapped in a driving-robe in his buggy; but the moon now and
then shone through the rifts in the clouds, and a rig could not be hidden
or driven in among thick trees.

A long bluff ran close up to the homestead, and when Wandle reached its
outer end he got down and walked beside his horse, keeping the wood
between him and the farm trail. It was important that he should not be
seen. The horse would attract no attention, because Prescott had a
number, and hardy, range-bred horses are often left to run loose through
the winter. Still, clear moonlight streamed through between the slender
trees, and there was a glow from the windows of the house. As Wandle drew
nearer it he moved with greater caution. He was fortunate in having done
so, for he stopped with a start as two black mounted figures cut against
the sky not far in front of him. They were clearly visible as they
crossed an opening, and though he stood in shadow beside a denser growth
of trees his heart beat faster as he watched them. They were riding
slowly, keeping out of view of the house, which was significant, because
had they been neighbors of Prescott's returning from a visit to him they
would have taken no trouble to avoid being seen. These were police
troopers, watching the homestead.

Presently one of them spoke to the other, and Wandle recognized Private
Stanton's voice. Indeed, it was ominously distinct, and Wandle, standing
very still with a firm hand on t