walked across to the fire where Carrie
was sitting.

"Davies has gone off to the river," he remarked. "It's curious!"

"Why do you think this curious?"

Jim hesitated, feeling that tact was needful. He was not jealous about
Davies. Carrie and he were friends; he liked her much, but she had not
inspired him with romantic sentiment. His imagination dwelt upon the
girl he had met at the Montreal restaurant. For all that, he was
puzzled.

"Well," he said, "it looks as if he had come out of his way in order to
see you."

"Did he tell you this?"

"No," said Jim. "He hinted at something like it. I suppose you knew
him well?"

Carrie gave him a quick glance. His face was thoughtful and he
frowned. She was quiet for a moment or two, and then smiled. "I do
not know him well. He was at the Woolsworth Store, but his was a
better post than mine, and we didn't often meet. In fact, I don't
think I liked him much."

"Ah," said Jim, whose satisfaction was plain. "Well, of course, it is
not my business."

"But you're rather glad I didn't like him?"

"Of course," said Jim. "The fellow's a poor type; not your type----"

He stopped with some embarrassment and Carrie laughed.

"We'll let that go. You are puzzled, Jim?"

"I am. Why did the fellow hint he'd come because he wanted to see you?
He said something about looking for a line for a wagon road, but he'd
have struck the valley the road will go through sooner if he'd pushed
on east. I can't see what he did want."

"Perhaps he had some reason for stopping at our camp and felt he must
account for his coming out of his way."

"Yes," said Jim. "I believe you've hit it."

"Well, now you know I don't like Davies and you have found out why he's
here, you ought to be satisfied."

"But I haven't found out why he's here; that's the trouble," Jim
rejoined, and was silent for a few moments. "However, perhaps you have
put me on the track," he went on. "I was something of a fool when I
wanted to leave you behind. You have helped us all the time. But you
haven't enough wood for morning; I'll go and chop some."

He went off and Carrie sat quietly by the fire. There was faint
amusement in her eyes, but they were soft. By and by the light began
to fade and rousing herself she made some bannocks for breakfast. When
Davies came back with a string of fish she had vanished and the light
that had burned in her tent was out.

Next morning Davies left the camp a