e field? Refer to her
again as you did lately, and you'll see how interested I am."

The tone in Keith's voice warned Pritchen and the rest that the less
said about the matter the better, so an awkward pause ensued. Perdue
was the first to speak.

"Let's search the mission house now," he suggested, "and leave the
Radhurst cabin till the last."

This plan was at once agreed upon, and, in no agreeable frame of mind,
Keith followed his companions up the narrow trail leading to the house.

How often he had traversed that very path during the long years of
regular duty. Time and again had he looked up at the Indian village on
the brow of the hill above him, and a spirit of joy always thrilled his
being. The children who used to run to meet him were ever sure of a
hearty greeting. How dear they had become to him--the lambs of his
flock. Upon every one he had sprinkled the few drops of water, and
sealed them with the sign of the cross in Holy Baptism. His flock he
knew all by name, from the youngest to the oldest, and he was their
spiritual father.

But on this night no such feelings possessed his soul. A heavy weight
oppressed him in some mysterious manner. He tried to shake it off, but
in vain. The gliding figures before him assumed the appearance of evil
spirits luring him on to a doom over which he had no control. Why had
Pritchen chosen him as one of the committee unless he had some hidden
motive in view? Had a trap been laid by this wily serpent in which to
entangle him? He was not superstitious; yet as they drew near the
cabin a chill passed through his body. A feeble light was shining
through the window, from the candle which was struggling bravely in the
last throes of life.

They opened the door and entered. The room was cold, for the fire had
gone out. As in the other cabins, they at once set to work and the
place was thoroughly searched. Several tried the lid of the chest,
but, finding it locked, desisted. At length Pritchen drew near, and
seized the cover with both hands.

"Hello! this is locked!" he exclaimed. "Let's have the key."

Keith had thought of the chest, and the picture lying within. As
Pritchen turned to him his face flushed in a confused manner, which
Perdue, who was watching, observed.

"The key, I say!" repeated Pritchen in a sharp voice. "Let's have the
key to this chest.

"It must be in the lock," replied Keith. "I left it there when I went
out, and did not turn