Page:GB Lancaster--law-bringer.djvu/195

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"ON THE ATHABASKA"
193

moved. "Were you going back to open that cache you made?"

Hinds had found Ducane's camera and several bundles of notes hidden in a bank by the Quatre Fourches Channel, and Dick was taking them up to Grey Wolf with him. There may have been other work done; but this was a piece of sure proof which, nevertheless, was valueless until he and Tempest had gone through Ducane's papers.

"I was fixed all right if that smart young constable hadn't been a bit too smart. I don't mind him. But you," Robison straightened up suddenly. "You're one o' these damned lot what's always interferin' wi' a man. Tempest was after my gal, an' you bin after me. I hate the whole bunch o' you. But you're the pick of 'em." He spat on the floor of the cell. "That's what I think o' you," he said.

"You are welcome. Probably I should think precisely the same in your position, although I might not have the grace to tell it. But since you do think that of me you must not object if I put you out of action so far as I consider fit when we go up the Athabaska."

Robison made no objection. The salt of life seemed to have gone out of him, and he let Dick do as he would. There was no information to be got from him, and Dick, understanding this, began to shape the plan by which he must help Jennifer when the time came. But because this plan was going to require of him something which he did not want to give, his selfishness made him require from Jennifer also something which she did not want to give.

Jennifer knew that Dick would require it of her some day. She guessed what his eyes could show when the cynical indifference or bold command went out of them, and she guessed what that dominant temper which submitted so instantly now to her wishes would want to do. But she was not afraid. Through these weeks she had gone over and over this awful and beautiful thing in her heart: moulding it with prayers; softening it with tears, and building up, word by word, all that she would say to Dick when he spoke to her at last. Ducane could have no more love of hers. She knew where all that had gone, and from the first agonised moment of understanding she had known