e, the swift-rolling curtain of mist overhead blotted
the sun out of the sky.

De Spain sprang from his saddle with a ringing order to McAlpin. "Get
up a fresh saddle-horse!"

"A horse!" cried the startled barn boss, whirling on the hostler. "The
strongest legs in the stable, and don't lose a second! Lady Jane; up
with her!" he yelled, bellowing his orders into the echoing barn with
his hands to his mouth. "Up with her for Mr. de Spain in a second!
Marmon! Becker! Lanzon! What in hell are you all doing?" he roared,
rushing back with a fusillade of oaths. "Look alive, everybody!"

"Coming!" yelled one voice after another from the depths of the
distant stalls.

De Spain ran into the office. Page caught his horse, stripped the
rifle from its holster, and hurriedly began uncinching. Hostlers
running through the barn called shrilly back and forth, and de Spain
springing up the stairs to his room provided what he wanted for his
hurried flight. When he dashed down with coats on his arm the hoofs of
Lady Jane were clattering down the long gangway. A stable-boy slid
from her back on one side as Bull Page threw the saddle across her
from the other; hostlers caught at the cinches, while others hurriedly
rubbed the legs of the quivering mare. De Spain, his hand on McAlpin's
shoulder, was giving his parting injunctions, and the barn boss, head
cocked down, and eyes cast furtively on the scattering snowflakes
outside, was listening with an attention that recorded indelibly every
uttered syllable.

Once only, he interrupted: "Henry, you're ridin' out into this thing
alone--don't do it."

"I can't help it," snapped de Spain impatiently,

"It's a man killer."

"I can't help it."

"Bob Scott, if he w's here, 'ud never let you do it. I'll ride wi' ye
myself, Henry. I worked for your father----"

"You're too old a man, Jim----"

"Henry----"

"Don't talk to me! Do as I tell you!" thundered de Spain.

McAlpin bowed his head.

"Ready!" yelled Page, buckling the rifle holster in place. Still
talking, and with McAlpin glued to his elbow, de Spain vaulted into
the saddle, caught the lines from Bull's hands, and steadied the Lady
as she sidestepped nervously--McAlpin following close and dodging the
dancing hoofs as he looked earnestly up to catch the last word. De
Spain touched the horse with the lines. She leaped through the doorway
and he raised a backward hand to those behind. Running outside the
door, they yelled a chorus