d, shadowy outlines into which darkness turns the
most commonplace objects. His nimble brain, however, was busily sorting
out the scant details that had been furnished him regarding Tom Gray,
with a view toward evolving a theory on which he might proceed. His own
good sense informed him that he could not even make a guess regarding
what had befallen his young friend until he had reached the lumber camp
and himself surveyed the situation.

Seven o'clock the next evening saw the intrepid old man hurriedly
collecting his few belongings, preparatory to making a welcome end to
the long, tiresome ride in the train. Mrs. Gray had already telegraphed
David Nesbit to be on hand at the dingy little station to meet him. The
train rolled into it, puffing and clanging a noisy protest against the
indignity of being obliged to stay its flight, even momentarily, before
the scattered collection of frame dwellings dignified by the name of
village. Hardly had it jolted itself to a reluctant stop before Jean
made a hurried exit, to peer searchingly about the station platform for
David Nesbit.

"Just the man I'm looking for," sounded a hearty voice behind him.
Whirling, he uttered a glad cry as he reached for David's outstretched
hand. "I'm certainly glad to see you, Jean."

"It is of a 'appiness to see you, M'sieu' David." Jean's weather-beaten
face registered his joy.

"Come with me, Jean. There's an apology for a hotel not far from the
station. We'd better stay there to-night, then start for the lumber camp
early to-morrow morning. It's a long hike, but I know you'd rather walk
than ride. Once we've had some supper, I can tell you what little I know
of this part of the country. Have you ever been up here before?"

"Yep; 'bout five year ago, mebbe. I hunt up here a long winter. I know
him." Jean indicated the forest beyond the village with a wide sweep of
his arm. "Once, twice, after, I pass by him w'en I go an' come from
Canada."

"Then you _do_ know something about it? I'm mighty glad to hear that.
But tell me about Oakdale and how you happened to pop up there just when
we needed you most. Grace wrote me that she had tried to find you, but
that you'd gone away."

On the way to the hotel which David had mentioned, Jean recounted in his
broken phraseology all that had happened to him since his return to
Oakdale, while David listened and commented on the strange manner in
which the news of Tom's misfortune had been brought before t