f huts with serious, apprehensive
eyes. They had expected to find the people congregated at some nearby
point, ready to swoop down upon the prisoner the instant he appeared
with his captors at the edge of the wood. To their amazement and relief,
the people had taken Percival's command literally. They had retired
to their huts, and but few of them were to be seen, even on their
doorsteps.

"Can you beat it?" cried Snipe. "By golly, boys, they've put it squarely
up to us. It's the greatest exhibition of restraint and confidence I've
ever known. This couldn't have happened at home. Hello!"

The gaze of all was centred upon two persons who walked rapidly in the
direction taken by Fitts and his party. No one spoke for a few seconds.
Flattner, after a quick look at Percival's set, scowling face, was the
first to speak. To a certain degree, he understood the situation. It was
out of pure consideration for his friend's feelings that he said:

"I'll go and head 'em off, A. A."

"Thanks, old chap,--but there's no sense in getting yourself disliked.
I'll do it. I'm in bad already,--and besides I'm the one who gave the
order."

Near the end of the row of huts, he drew alongside of Ruth Clinton and
Landover.

"The order was meant for every one, Miss Clinton," he said levelly. "Am
I to understand that you have decided to ignore it?"

She stopped short and drew herself up haughtily. Their eyes met. There
was defiance in hers. She did not speak. Landover confronted Percival,
white with fury.

"I am capable of looking after Miss Clinton," he exclaimed. "Your
beastly officiousness--"

"You will go back to your cabin at once, Miss Clinton," said Percival,
ignoring Landover.

She did not move.

"Miss Clinton came out here at my suggestion," said Landover. "If you
have any more bullying to do, confine yourself to me, Percival."

"I am not doing this because I enjoy it, Miss Clinton," went on the
young man, still looking into her unwavering eyes. "I am sorry it is
necessary to remind you that there are no privileged classes here. You
will have to obey orders the same as every one else."

"Very well," she said, suddenly lowering her eyes. "Take me back to the
cabin, Mr. Landover. There is nothing more to say."

Percival stood aside. They walked past him without so much as a glance
at his set, unsmiling face. Landover slipped an arm through hers. She
did not resist when he drew her up close to his side. Percival saw him
lean