“We will follow the trail back,” he explained, glancing aside at her face.  “It is easier to follow than to strike out for ourselves across the open.”

“Where does it lead?”

“To an old cow-camp on the Cimarron.  There is a trooper there waiting.  Shall I tell you the story?”

“I wish you would.”

“And then I am to have yours in return—­everything?”

“Yes,” she said, and their eyes met.  “There is nothing to conceal—­from you.”

He told his tale simply, and in few words; how he had missed, and sought after her in Dodge; how that searching had led directly to the discovery of crime, and finally the revealment of Major McDonald’s body.  He told of his efforts at organizing a party to follow the fugitives, inspired by a belief that she was a prisoner, of the trip through the blizzard, and of how he had succeeded in outstripping Dupont in the race.

The girl listened silently, able from her own experience to fill in the details of that relentless pursuit, which could not be halted either by storm or bullets.  The strength, the determination of the man, appealed to her with new force, and tears welled into her eyes.

“Why, you are crying!” he exclaimed in surprise.

“That is nothing,” her lips smiling, as she loosened one hand from the blanket and reached across to clasp his.  “You must know, dear, how happy I am to have found you.  No one else could have done this.”

“Oh, yes, little girl,” soberly.  “Wasson would have gone on, if I had been the one to go down.  The hardest part of it all was waiting for the storm to cease, not knowing where you were hidden—­that nearly drove me insane.”

“I understand; uncertainty is harder to bear than anything else.  Shall I tell you now what happened to me?”

“Yes,” tenderly, “as much, or as little as you please.”

“Then it shall be everything, dear,” her hand-grasp tightening.  A moment she hesitated, looking out across the snow plains, and then back into his eyes.  From their expression she gained courage to proceed, her voice low, yet clear enough to make every syllable distinctly audible.

“I—­I was frightened when you left me alone on the balcony, and went in to confront Mrs. Dupont.  I knew the woman and suspected that she would only be too glad to find some indiscretion she could use against me.  It occurred to me that possibly she had seen me enter the parlor and was there herself to make sure.  If so, she would hesitate at no trick to verify her suspicions.  This thought so took possession of me that I determined to escape if possible.  And it appeared easy of accomplishment.  There was but a short drop to the ground, while a few steps around the end of the hotel would bring me safely to the front entrance.  The temptation to try was irresistible.  I heard your voices within and thought I understood her game.  It was dark below, yet I knew how close the earth