umption of indifference
was very painful to see. She was not beautiful then. "Don't ask me,"
she said with a sneer. "I suppose men understand such women. I
cannot."

Ambrose turned away with a helpless gesture. Colina moved haughtily
toward the door. Within ten minutes their wonderful happiness had been
born and strangled again.

"I don't suppose you will want to send my letter now," Ambrose said
with a sinking heart.

Colina blushed with shame, but she would not let him see it.
"Certainly," she said coldly. "What has this to do with a question of
justice?"

Ambrose, sore and indignant, would not make any more overtures.
"There's a postscript I must add," he said coldly, extending his hand
for the letter.

"I cannot wait for you to write it," she said. "Tell me. I will add
it myself."

"I think it likely," Ambrose said, "that Nesis"--Colina winced at the
sound of the name--"has been spirited away from the Kakisa village.
There are two other villages, one on Buffalo Lake and one on Kakisa
Lake, about sixty miles up the Kakisa River.

"They brought her up the river with me, so it is hardly likely she was
sent down again to Buffalo Lake. I think she's at Kakisa Lake, if
she's alive."

Colina bowed. "I will tell Germain Grampierre," she said. Her hand
rose to the door.

Ambrose's heart failed him. "Ah, Colina!" he cried reproachfully and
imploringly.

She slipped out without answering.

Ambrose flung himself on his bed and cursed fate again. He was not
experienced enough to realize that this was not necessarily a fatal
break.

All night he tried to steel his heart against fate and against Colina.
It was harder now. It was an utterly wretched Ambrose that faced the
dawn.

While it was still early Emslie passed him a note through the window.
Ambrose knew the handwriting, and tore it open with trembling fingers.
He read:

MY DEAR LOVE:

I was hateful. It was the meanest kind of jealousy. I was furious at
her because she helped you at the time when I was on the side of your
enemies. I have been suffering torments all night. Forgive me. I am
going to find Nesis myself. That is the only way I can make up for
everything. I love you.

COLINA.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

COLINA'S ENTERPRISE.

Upon leaving Ambrose, Colina despatched his letter across the river by
Michel Trudeau. She then dressed for dinner.

To-night was to be an occasion, for beside Inspector Egerton they had
Dunc