for two days in
the saddle over the snow."

Greeba had been smiling through the big drops that floated in her
eyes, but she grew solemn again, and said--

"Ah, Michael, you cannot think what trouble we have all had while you
have been away."

"I know it--I know all," said Michael Sunlocks, "so say no more about
it, but away to your room, my darling."

With that he rang a hand-bell that stood on the table, and Oscar, his
servant, answered the call.

"Go across to the jail," he said, "and tell Jon that his prisoner is
not to be removed until he has had orders from me."

"What prisoner, your Excellency?" said Oscar.

"The prisoner known as Jason," said Michael Sunlocks.

"He's gone, your Excellency," cried Oscar.

"Gone?"

"I mean to the Sulphur Mines, your Excellency."

"When was he sent?"

"Yesterday morning, at daybreak, your Excellency."

Michael Sunlocks sat at a table and wrote a few lines, and handed
them to his man, saying, "Then take this to the Lagmann, and say I
shall wait here until he comes."

While this was going forward Greeba had been standing by the door
with a troubled look, and when Oscar was gone from the room she
returned to her husband's side, and said, with great gravity,
"Michael, what are you going to do with that man?"

But Michael Sunlocks only waved his hand, and said, "Nay, now,
darling, you shall not trouble about this matter any more. It is my
affair, and it is for me to see to it."

"But he has threatened your life," cried Greeba.

"Now, love, what did I say?" said Michael Sunlocks, with uplifted
finger and a pretence at reproof. "You've fretted over this foolish
thing too long; so think no more about it, and go to your room."

She turned to obey.

"And, darling," he cried in another voice, as she was slowly going,
"that I may seem to have you with me all the same, just sing
something, and I shall hear you while I work. Will you? There!" he
cried, and laughed before she had time to answer. "See what a goose
you have made of me!"

She came back, and for reply she kissed his forehead, and he put his
lips to her lovely hand. Then, with a great lump in her throat, and
the big drops rolling from her eyes to her cheeks, she left him to
the work she sorely feared.

And being alone, and the candles lighted and the blinds drawn down,
for night had now fallen in, he sat at the table to read the mass of
letters that had gathered in his absence. There was no communication
o