door, looked to see whether or not
the shadow of the stranger fell full in the center of the crack beneath
the door. If it fell to one side the man might be an enemy, and
therefore they would stand at one side of the room, their hands upon
the butt of the six-gun, and shout: "Come in." Such was the battery of
glances from the men, and the color of Pierre altered, paled.

He knew some of those faces, for those who hunt and are hunted never
forget the least gestures of their enemies. There was a mighty
temptation to turn back even then, but he set his teeth and forced
himself to stand calmly, adjust the absurd eye-glass on his nose, and
stare about the room.

The chuckle which replied to this maneuver freed him for the moment.
Suspicion was lulled. Moreover, the red-jeweled hair of Jacqueline and
her lighted eyes called all attention almost immediately upon her. She
shifted the golden scarf--the white arms and breast flashed in the
light--a gasp responded. There would be talk to-morrow; there were
whispers even now.

It was not the main hall that they stood in, for this school, having
been built by an aspiring community, contained two rooms; this smaller
room, used by the little ones of the school, was now converted into a
hat-and-cloak room, and here also were a dozen baskets and boxes filled
with comforters and blankets.

It was because of what lay in those baskets that the men and the women
walked and talked softly in this room. They were wary lest they should
arouse a sound which not even the loudest music could quite drown--a
sound which makes all women sit up straight and sniff like hunted
animals at bay, and makes all men frown and glance about for places of
refuge.

Now and then some girl came panting and flushed from the dance-hall
within and tiptoed to one of these baskets, and raised an edge of a
blanket and looked down at the contents with a singular smile. Pierre
hung up his hat, removed his gloves slowly, nerving himself to endure
the sharp glances, and opened the door for Jacqueline.

If she had held back tremulously before, something she had seen in the
eyes of those in the first room, something in the whisper and murmur
which rose the moment she started to leave, gave her courage. She
stepped into the dance-hall like a queen going forth to address devoted
subjects.

The second ordeal was easier than the first. There were many times
more people in that crowded room, but each was intent