"I knew that a
long time ago," he said. "I guessed it that first night of storm in the
coach up to Chitina. I knew it for certain before we left Tanana. She
didn't tell me, but I wasn't blind. It was the note that puzzled and
frightened me--the note she stuffed in her slipper. And Rossland told
me, before I left, that going for you was a wild-goose chase, as he
intended to take Mrs. John Graham back with him immediately."
"And you left her alone after _that_?"
Stampede shrugged his shoulders as he valiantly kept up with Alan's
suddenly quickened pace.
"She insisted. Said it meant life and death for her. And she looked it.
White as paper after her talk with Rossland. Besides--"
"What?"
"Sokwenna won't sleep until we get back. He knows. I told him. And he's
watching from the garret window with a.303 Savage. I saw him pick off a
duck the other day at two hundred yards."
They hurried on. After a little Alan said, with the fear which he could
not name clutching at his heart, "Why did you say Graham might not be
far away?"
"In my bones," replied Stampede, his face hard as rock again. "In my
bones!"
"Is that all?"
"Not quite. I think Rossland told her. She was so white. And her hand
cold as a lump of clay when she put it on mine. It was in her eyes, too.
Besides, Rossland has taken possession of your cabin as though he owns
it.
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