Something about her as she stood there, her back to the table, drew John Aldous to her side, forced the question from his lips: "Tell me, Ladygraywhy are you going to Tête Jaune?

So engrossed was Aldous in his thoughts that he had come very quietly to the cabin door.

He, John Aldous of all men, had utterly obliterated himself, and for a woman.

He awoke before it was dawn, but when he dragged himself from his tepee, moving quietly not to awaken his boy, he found John Aldous on his knees before a small fire, slicing thin rashers of bacon into a frying-pan.

"That's known as the sleeve trick, boys," explained Aldous with his imperturbable smile.

Thought of Stimson and Stimson's wife had sent the hot blood through Aldous like fire.

"I'm glad you folks have returned," he cried, beaming with enthusiasm as he gripped Aldous by the hand.

Quade's status had interested Aldous from the beginning.

Behind his depravity worked the brain which Quade lacked, and a nerve which, in spite of that almost effeminate immaculateness, had been described to Aldous as colossal.