tor Egerton; there was
no man connected with the case but betrayed something of the same
agitation.

"Admit Miss Gaviller," commanded the judge.

The two policemen, with herculean exertions, made an opening in the
crowd for Colina and two companions to enter and kept every one else
out. The doors were then closed.

At Colina's appearance an odd murmur rippled over the crowd. Her
beauty astonished them. She walked down the aisle of the court-room,
pale, erect, and self-controlled. Captain Stinson and Cora followed
her.

The crowd observed her movements with breathless attention.

All three were admitted within the rail. John Gaviller sat near the
gate. He looked somewhat dazed. They saw her offer him her hand with
a swift smile, charged with meaning.

The gentlemanly half-breed, Gordon Strange, leaned forward, seeking to
attract her attention with an eager smile. Him she ignored. She
turned to the prisoner. This was what the crowd was waiting for.

The pale youth and the pale girl had all the look of the principal
actors in a drama. What was between them? They saw her smile at him,
too--an extraordinary smile, sorrowful, solicitous, cheery. None could
interpret it.

Ambrose was engaged in a desperate struggle to command himself. At the
announcement of her coming hope had sprung up, only to receive a
deadlier wound at the first glimpse of her.

She had not found Nesis; very well, it was all up with him. What
matter how dearly Colina loved him if he had to go to jail? He saw the
cheer she offered him in her smile, but he rejected it.

"Nothing can help me now," he stubbornly insisted. "If I let myself
hope, the disappointment will drive me insane." He fought to recover
his apathy.

Pascoe and Denholm each sprang up to greet the new witness as if by the
warmth of his welcome she would be attracted to his side.

"One moment, gentlemen," said the judge. He addressed Colina, "You
have evidence to give in this case?"

Colina gravely inclined her head.

His lordship frowned. "This is very irregular. I must ask you why you
have delayed until this moment?"

"I have just arrived in town," said Colina.

"Couldn't you have communicated with counsel?"

"I have come from the north. There was no way of sending out a message
ahead. I am the first one out since the freeze-up."

The judge nodded to show himself satisfied. "Is the evidence you have
to give favorable to the prisoner or unfavora