Was talking of carting a couple of loads of hay over to Gregson's this morning.

It's one of the wildest jobs we've ever had, and Gregson and Thorne don't seem to catch on.

A few minutes later he joined Gregson, who was ready for breakfast.

"To be honest, Gregson, I don't believe you'd be particularly cheerful company.

When the moment for parting came Gregson pulled his companion a little to one side.

His eyes shifted nervously and Howland saw that he was making a strong effort to assume an indifference which was not at all Gregson's natural self.

Howland seated himself in the middle of the six-foot toboggan, waved his hand to Gregson, then with a wild halloo and a snapping of his long caribou-gut whip Jackpine started his dogs on a trot down the street, running close beside the sledge.

He helped to build their balsam shelter for the night, ate a huge supper of moose meat, hot-stone biscuits, beans and coffee, and then, just as he had stretched himself out in his furs for the night, he remembered Gregson's warning.

"Gregson told me to be sure and have the camp guarded at night, Jackpine.

He had wondered at Gregson's strange demeanor, his evident anxiety to get out of the country, and lastly at his desire not to return to the camp on the Wekusko with him.

In some way which he could not fathom Gregson was associated with the mystery which enveloped him, and adding the senior engineer's nervousness to the significance of Jackpine's words he was confident that the missing finger had become a factor in the enigma.

"Gregson um Thorneheem mak' thees cabin when first kam to camp," he said softly.

Live here timethen Gregson um Thorne go live in camp.

And am I to stay here?" "Gregson um Thorne say yes.

I found Gregson half dying at Le Pas, and now you" "It's a wonder you're not reading my name on a little board slab instead of seeing yours truly in flesh and blood, Jack," laughed Thorne nervously.

"Gregson and I have had the worst kind of luck since the day we struck this camp, and we're no longer fit for the job.

Probably Gregson and I will take hold of the Le Pas end of the line in the spring.

Gregson knows more about the girls than I. Anything particular?" "Just a word I've got for themif they're here," replied Howland carelessly.

" "You and Gregson must have been laid up at about the same time," said the young engineer.

"That was a painful wound of Gregson's.

Funny that a man like Gregson should have an enemy!"

"Whyerdidn't Gregson tell you that it was an accident?" "Why should he lie, Thorne?" A faint flush swept into the other's pallid face.

With his back toward Thorne he said, half laughing, "Perhaps Gregson was afraid that the fellow who clipped off his finger would get him through the window, eh?" He pretended not to perceive the effect of his words on the senior engineer.

Gregson had lied to him about his finger.

Mrs. Gregson's Ch. Tora of Braywick, a fine red and white dog, somewhat over 7 lb., is also to be remembered as a typical example of the breed, together with Kara,