upon the floor.

Philip loosened his clothing, rubbed his icy hands and limbs and bathed
his forehead, but the interval was long and trying before the stark
figure on the floor shuddered slightly and struggled weakly to a
sitting posture.

"I'm all right now," said Carl dully. "And I've got to go on. I--I
can't meet Diane." He drew something from his pocket and jabbed it in
his arm.

Philip looked on with disapproval.

"No," said Carl, meeting his glance. "No, not so very often, Philip.
Just lately, since Sherrill and I camped in the Glades. There's
something--something very tight here in my head whenever I grow
excited. When it snaps I'm done for a while, but this helps."

Philip's fine, frank mouth was very grim.

"Carl," he said quietly, "off there to the south is the eccentric swamp
home of a singular man, a philosopher and a doctor. He's Keela's
foster father. I've met and smoked with him. I want you to go to him
and rest. The Indians do that. He's what you need. And tell him
you're down and out. You'll go--for me?"

"Anywhere," said Carl.

"Tell him about the dope and every other hell-conceived abuse with
which you've tormented your body. Tell him about the infernal
tightness in your head."

"Yes," said Carl.

"But this thing of the candlestick," added Philip bitterly, "tell to no
man. You're strong enough to start now?"

"Yes."

Philip left the wigwam. When at length he returned, there was a dark,
slight figure at his heels, turbaned and tunicked, a guide whom he
trusted utterly.

A burning wave swept suddenly over Carl's body and left him very cold.
Philip could not know, of course.

"Keela will guide you," said Philip. "She could follow the trail with
her eyes closed. The horses are saddled at the edge of camp. You'll
be there by daylight."

He smiled and held out his hand and his eyes were encouraging. The
hands of the two men tightened. Carl stumbled blindly away at the
heels of the Indian girl. Philip watched them go--watched Keela lead
the way with the lithe, soft tread of a wild animal, and mount--watched
Carl swing heavily into the saddle and follow. Silhouetted darkly
against the watery moon, the silent riders filed off into the
swamp-world to the south. For an instant Philip experienced a sudden
flash of misgiving but Philip was just and honorable in all things and
having disciplined himself to faith in his friend, maintained it.

Then his eyes wandered sl