partnership, and I was told that he had
gone out through Alaska, via Michael to Seattle."

When the man at the back of the room said nothing, Spurling asked in a
tone of horror, "Why, you don't think that I killed him too, do
you,--just because I have owned to shooting one man?"

"I don't know what to think," replied Granger, speaking slowly; "no,
certainly I do not think that you killed him, _too_."

"Then, what?"

"Never mind, since the matter's in doubt I will help you. What do you
propose to do?"

"Go on till I come to the Forbidden River, and hide there till the
hunt for me is over, and they think that I am dead."

"And then, if you survive?"

"Creep back into the world and begin life all afresh."

"And how can I help you?"

"By lending me a fresh team, for mine is all tired out, and giving me
provisions for my journey, and delaying my pursuer when he arrives."

"How shall I delay him!"

"Oh, you will know when you see him--there are many ways, some of
which are very effectual." Spurling played with the butt of his
revolver as he said these words, and looked at Granger tentatively,
then looked aside. "For instance, the winter is breaking up and he
might fall through the ice; or while he is staying here several of his
dogs might die; or, at the least, you can tell him that you have not
seen me and persuade him that he has passed me by. If he refuses to
believe that, you can suggest that I have left the river and gone into
the forest, and so put him off my track--anything to give me time."

"He would scarcely believe the last," said Granger, "for on the Last
Chance there is only one trail--by the river up and down. And I want
you to understand Spurling, that if I do help you it will be by clean
means; I intend to play fair all round."

"Play fair! Do you call it fair play when a nation sets out to hunt
one man? I have only done what thousands have thought and intended.
What better is the man who effects my capture, and gets the thousand
dollars which they have set upon my head, and sends me to the
scaffold, than I myself who without premeditation shot a man. You're a
nice one to talk about playing fair to the fellow who gave you your
chance, and was your friend, and whom you tried to murder! Which of
us, do you suppose, is the cleaner man?"

Granger did not answer; through the last few hours he had been asking
himself that same question. Spurling, thinking he had offended, began
to plead afresh. "Oh