t betray her distress. She felt that her grief must be endured bravely.
It was almost overwhelming, but there was mingled with it a faint
consolatory thrill of pride, for it was clear that the man who had loved
her had done a splendid thing. He had given all that had been given
him--she knew she would never forget that phrase of his--willingly, and
it seemed to her that the traits with which he had been endowed were rare
and precious ones. She recognized the steadfast, unflinching courage, and
the fine sense of honor which had sent him out on that forlorn hope.
Unyielding and undismayed he had gone down to death--she felt sure of
that--amid the blinding snow.

Mrs. Hastings set food before Dampier. By and by Sproatly and Winifred
arrived and they heard the story. After that Dampier, who had promised
to stay with them a day or two, left Wyllard's friends for an hour.

"It seems to me you'll naturally want to talk over things," he said; "if
you'll excuse me, I'll take a stroll across the prairie."

He went out, and Hastings looked at each member of the little group with
hasty scrutiny.

"Harry's friends are numerous, but we're, perhaps, the nearest, and, as
Dampier said, we have to consider things," he observed, speaking with
deliberation. "To begin with, there's a certain possibility that he has
escaped, after all."

He saw the quick movement that Agatha made, and went on more quickly.

"Gregory, of course, has control of the Range until we have proof of
Harry's death, though Wyllard made a proviso that if there was no word
of the party within eighteen months after he had sailed, or within six
months of the time Dampier had landed him, we could assume it, after
which the will he handed me would take effect. This, it is evident,
leaves Gregory in charge for some months yet, but it seems to me it's
our duty to see he doesn't fling away Harry's property. I've reasons for
believing that he has been doing it lately."

He looked at Sproatly, who sat silent a moment or two.

"I'm rather awkwardly placed," Sproatly remarked. "You see, there's no
doubt that I'm indebted to Gregory."

Winifred turned to him with impatience in her eyes. "Then," she said
severely, "you certainly shouldn't have been, and it ought to be quite
clear that nobody wishes you to do anything that would hurt him." She
looked at Hastings. "In case the will takes effect, who does the
property go to?"

Hastings appeared embarrassed. "That," he object