Afterward, he played a part in other somewhat similar affairs, for offenses were rapidly becoming more numerous among both Indians and mean whites; but in spite of his efforts the gang he suspected managed to evade the grip of the law.  Flett, however, was far from despairing; he waited his time and watched.

While he did so, spring came, unusually early.  A warm west wind swept the snow away and for a week or two the softened prairie was almost impassable to vehicles.  Then the wind veered to the northwest with bright sunshine, the soil began to dry, and George set out on a visit to Brandon where he had some business to transact.

Reaching Sage Butte in the afternoon, he found it suffering from the effects of the thaw.  A swollen creek had converted the ground on one side of the track into a shallow lake; the front street resembled a muskeg, furrowed deep by sinking wheels.  The vehicles outside the hotels were covered with sticky mire; the high, plank sidewalks were slippery with it, and foot passengers when forced to leave them sank far up their long boots; one or two of the stores were almost cut off by the pools.  It rained between gleams of sunshine, and masses of dark cloud rolled by above the dripping town and wet prairie, which had turned a dingy gray.

As he was proceeding along one sidewalk, George met Hardie, and it struck him that the man was looking dejected and worn.

“Will you come back with me and wait for supper?” he asked.  “I’d be glad of a talk.”

“I think not,” said George.  “You’re on the far side of the town and there are two streets to cross; you see, I’m going to Brandon, and I’ll take enough gumbo into the cars with me, as it is.  Then my train leaves in half an hour.  I suppose I mustn’t ask you to come into the Queen’s?”

“No,” said the clergyman.  “Our old guard won’t tolerate the smallest compromise with the enemy, and there’s a good deal to be said for their point of view.  After all, half-measures have seldom much result; a man must be one thing or another.  But we might try the new waiting-room at the station.”

The little room proved to be dry and comparatively clean, besides being furnished with nicely made and comfortable seats.  Leaning back in one near the stove, George turned to his companion.

“How are things going round here?” he asked.

“Very much as I expected; we tried and failed to apply a check in time, and of late we have had a regular outbreak of lawlessness.  At first sight, it’s curious, considering that three-fourths of the inhabitants of the district are steady, industrious folk, and a proportion of the rest are capable of being useful citizens.”

“Then how do you account for the disorder?”

Hardie looked thoughtful.