his
talented assistants and starting for Ghost Lake.

A Game Protector or two put on snow-shoes when they departed. Trooper
Lannis led out his horse and Stormont's, and got into the saddle.

"I'd better get these beasts into Ghost Lake while I can," he said.
"You'll follow on snow-shoes, won't you, Jack?"

"I don't know. I may need a sleigh for Eve. She can't remain here all
alone. I'll telephone the Inn."

Darragh, in blanket outfit, a pair of snow-shoes on his back, a rifle in
his mittened hand, came trudging up from the lake. He and Stormont
watched Lannis riding away with the two horses.

"He'll make it all right, but it's time he started," said the latter.

Darragh nodded: "Some storm. Where is Eve?"

"In her room."

What is she going to do, Jack?"

"Marry me as soon as possible. She wants to stay here for a few days
but I can't leave her here alone. I think I'll telephone to Ghost Lake
for a sleigh."

"Let me talk to her," said Darragh in a low voice.

"Do you think you'd better -- at such a time?"

"I think it's a good time. It will divert her mind, anyway. I want her
to come to Harrod Place."

"She won't," said Stormont grimly.

"She might. Let me talk to her."

"Do you realise how she feels toward you, Jim?"

"I do, indeed. And I don't blame her. But let me tell you; Eve Strayer
is the most honest and fair-minded girl I ever knew. ... Except one. ...
I'll take a chance that she'll listen to me. ... Sooner or later she
will be obliged to hear what I have to tell her. ... But it will be
easier for her -- for everybody -- if I speak to her now. Let me try,
Jack."

Stormont hesitate, looked at him, nodded. Darragh stood his rifle
against the bench on the kitchen porch. They entered the house slowly.
And met Eve descending the stairs.

The girl looked at Darragh, astonished, then her pale face flushed with
anger.

"What are you doing in this house?" she demanded unsteadily. "Have you
no decency, no shame?"

"Yes," he said, "I am ashamed of what my kinsman has done to you and
yours. That is partly why I am here."

"You came here as a spy," she said with hot contempt. "You lied about
your name; you lied about your purpose. You came here to betray Dad!
If he had known it he would have killed you!"

"Yes, he would have. But -- do you know why I came here, Eve?"

"I've told you!"

"And you are wrong. I didn't come here to betray Mike Clinch; I came
to save him."