JEAN'S STORY It was the candle-light that dragged Howland quickly back into consciousness and pain.

He knew that he was no longer in the snow.

His fingers dug into damp earth as he made an effort to raise himself, and with that effort it seemed as though a red-hot knife had cleft him from the top of his skull to his chest.

The agony of that instant's pain drew a sharp cry from him and he clutched both hands to his head, waiting and fearing.

It did not come again and he sat up.