He cried: “By God, Pierre, what do you
mean?”
There was no answer. He strode across the intervening
space, dropped his gun and caught the other by the
shoulders. Out of Pierre’s nerveless fingers
the revolver slipped to the ground.
“In the name of God, Pierre, what has happened
to you?”
“Dick, why didn’t you fire?”
“Fire? Murder you?”
“You shoot straight—I know—it
would have been over quickly.”
“What is it, boy? You look dead—there’s
no color in your face, no light in your eyes, even
your voice is dead. I know it isn’t fear.
What is it?”
“You’re wrong. It’s fear.”
“Fear and Red Pierre. The two don’t
mate.”
“Fear of living, Dick.”
“So that’s it? God help you.
Pierre, forgive me. I should have known that
you had met her before, but I was mad, and didn’t
know what I was doing, couldn’t think.”
“It’s over and forgotten. I have
to go back and get Jack. Will you ride home with
us?”
“Jack? She’s not in the hall.
She left shortly after you went, and she means some
deviltry. There’s a jealous fiend in that
girl. I watched her eyes when they followed you
and Mary from the hall.”
“Then we’ll ride back alone.”
“Not I. Carry the word to Jim that I’m
through with the game. I’m going to wash
some of the grime off my conscience and try to make
myself fit to speak to this girl again.”
“It’s the cross,” said Pierre.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. The bad luck has come to poor
old Jim at last, because he saved me out of the snow.
Patterson has gone, and now you, and perhaps Jack—well,
this is good-bye, Dick?”
“Yes.”
Their hands met.
“You forgive me, Dick?”
“With all my heart, old fellow.”
“I’ll try to wish you luck. Stay
close to her. Perhaps you’ll win her.”
“I’ll do what one man can.”
“But if you succeed, ride out of the mountain-desert
with her—never let me hear of it.”
“I don’t understand. Will you tell
me what’s between you, Pierre? You’ve
some sort of claim on her. What is it?”
“I’ve said good-bye. Only one thing
more. Never mention my name to her.”
So he turned and walked out into the moonlight and
Wilbur stared after him until he disappeared beyond
the shoulder of a hill.
It was early morning before Pierre reached the refuge
of Boone’s gang, but there was still a light
through the window of the large room, and he entered
to find Boone, Mansie, and Gandil grouped about the
fire, all ominously silent, all ominously wakeful.
They looked up to him and big Jim nodded his gray
head. Otherwise there was no greeting.
From a shadowy corner Jacqueline rose and went toward
the door. He crossed quickly and barred the way.
“What is it, Jack?”
