194

XIV A PROPHECY FULFILLED 209

XV AN INTERVIEW 225

XVI ZIZI'S OPPORTUNITY 241

XVII THE HEART HELPER 257

XVIII THE CONFESSION 273

THE COME BACK

CHAPTER I

The Prophecy

Even when Peter Crane was a baby boy, with eyes the color of the chicory
flowers that grow by the wayside along New England roads, and hair that
rivaled the Blessed Damosel's in being "yellow like ripe corn," he was
of an adventurous disposition.

His innocent face was never so devoid of guile, his winning smile never
so cherubic as when he remarked that he would "jes' run froo the front
gate a minyit," and the next instant he was out of sight. Far afield his
roving spirit led him, and much scurrying was needed on the part of
nurse or mother to bring him back.

At four he achieved a pair of most wonderful russet-topped boots,--aye,
even with straps to lift himself over a fence, if a fence came his way.
And these so accentuated and emphasized his world-faring inclinations
that he came to be known as Peter Boots.

The name stuck, for Peter was always ready to boot it, and all through
his school and college days he led his willing mates wherever he listed.
He stalked forth and they followed; and, as he stopped not for brake and
stayed not for stone, the boys who eagerly trailed Peter Boots became
sturdy fellows.

And now, at twenty-seven, Peter Boots was more than sturdy. He was tall
and big and strong, and the love of adventure, the dare-devil spirit of
exploration still shone in his chicory blue eyes, and his indomitable
will power was evident in his straight fine mouth and firm jaw.

He had traveled some, even before the war, and now, comfortably settled
in his chosen niche and civilly engineering his way through the world,
he grasped at vacation seasons because they offered him a chance to don
his boots and be off.

This year he had a grand plan,--its objective point being nothing short
of Labrador.

He had read many books of the North lands, but a delightful chance
meeting with a doctor who lived up there gave him a sudden impetus to go
and explore a little for himself. His decision to start was
instantaneous, and there remained but to make the nece