"Now!" and at that signal Howland's arms were seized from behind, and in another instant he was struggling feebly in the grip of powerful arms which had fastened themselves about him like wire cable, and the cry that rose to his lips was throttled by a hand over his mouth.

For an instant he caught a glimpse of the girl's white face as she stood in the trail; then strong hands pulled him back, while others bound his wrists and still others held his legs.

Everything had passed in a few seconds.

Helplessly bound and gagged he lay on his back in the snow, listening to the low voices that came faintly to him from beyond the bushes.

He could understand nothing that they said--and yet he was sure that he recognized among them the voice of Meleese.
The voices became fainter; he heard retreating footsteps, and at last they died away entirely.