he
understand why she felt impelled to explain it just then. But it seemed
better to hold his peace. This revealing of Imbrie's worthy nature
greatly perplexed Stonor. It had been so easy to believe that the two
must have been parted as a result of something evil in Imbrie. He could
not believe that it had been Clare's fault, however she might accuse
herself. He was not yet experienced enough to conceive of a situation
where two honest souls might come to a parting of the ways without
either being especially to blame.

For another long period they sat in silence. The influence of the night
made itself felt even through the log walls of the shack. They were
aware of solitude as of a physical presence. The fire had burned down to
still embers, and down the chimney floated the inexpressibly mournful
breath of the pines. The rapids made a hoarser note beyond. Clare
shivered, and leaned closer over the fire. Stonor made a move to put on
more wood, but she stopped him.

"Don't!" she said, with queer inconsistency. "It makes too much noise."

Suddenly the awful stillness was broken by a heavy thudding sound on the
ground outside. A gasping cry was forced from Clare. Stonor sprang up,
knocking over his chair, and made for the door. Getting it opened, he
ran outside. Off to his right he saw, or thought he saw, a suspicious
shadow, and he instantly made for it. Whereupon a sudden crashing into
the underbrush persuaded him it was no apparition.

Clare's voice, sharp with terror, arrested him. "Martin, don't leave
me!"

He went back to her, suddenly realizing that to chase an unknown thing
bare-handed through the bush at night was scarcely the part of prudence.
He got his gun, and flung himself down across the sill of the open door,
looking out. Nothing further was to be seen or heard. Beyond the little
clearing the river gleamed in the faint dusk. The canoes on the beach
were invisible from the door, being under the bank.

"What do you think it was?" whispered Clare.

"Something fell or jumped out of that big spruce nearest the back of the
house." To himself he added: "A natural place to hide. What a fool I was
not to think of that before!"

"But what?" said Clare.

Stonor said grimly: "There are only two tree-climbing animals in this
country heavy enough to make the sound we heard--bears and men."

"A bear?"

"Maybe. But I never heard of a bear climbing a tree beside a house, and
at night, too. Don't know what he we