tched her grow up, Challoner. If I hadn't been
married--then--I'd have fallen in love with her. Do you know her,
Challoner? Did you ever see Nanette Le Beau?"

Challoner shook his head.

"An angel--if God ever made one," declared MacDonnell through his red
beard. "She lived over beyond the Jackson's Knee with her father. And
he died, froze to death crossing Red Eye Lake one night. I've always
thought Jacques Le Beau MADE her marry him after that. Or else she
didn't know, or was crazed, or frightened at being alone. Anyway, she
married him. It was five years ago I saw her last. Now and then I've
heard things, but I didn't believe--not all of them. I didn't believe
that Le Beau beat her, and knocked her down when he wanted to. I didn't
believe he dragged her through the snow by her hair one day until she
was nearly dead. They were just rumours, and he was seventy miles away.
But I believe them now. Durant came from their place, and I guess he
told me a whole lot of the truth--to save that dog."

Again he looked at Miki.

"You see, Durant tells me that Le Beau caught the dog in one of his
traps, took him to his cabin, and tortured him into shape for the big
fight. When Durant came he was so taken with the dog that he bought
him, and it was while Le Beau was driving the dog mad in his cage to
show his temper that Nanette interfered. Le Beau knocked her down, and
then jumped on her and was pulling her hair and choking her when the
dog went for him and killed him. That's the story. Durant told me the
truth through fear that I'd have the dog shot if he was an out-and-out
murderer. And that's why I want you to go by way of the Jackson's Knee.
I want you to investigate, and I want you to do what you can for
Nanette Le Beau. My Indian will bring her back to Port O' God."

With Scotch stoicism MacDonnell had repressed whatever excitement he
may have felt. He spoke quietly. But the curious shudder went through
his shoulders again. Challoner stared at him in blank amazement.

"You mean to say that Miki--this dog--has killed a man?"

"Yes. He killed him, Durant says, just as he killed Grouse Piet's
wolf-dog in the big fight to-day. UGH!" As Challoner's eyes fell slowly
upon Miki, the Factor added: "But Grouse Piet's dog was better than the
man. If what I hear about Le Beau was true he's better dead than alive.
Challoner, if you didn't think it too much trouble, and could go that
way--and see Nanette--"

"I'll go," said Chall