Where the trail twisted abruptly into the north he found the charred remains of a camp-fire in a small open, and just beyond it a number of birch toggles, which had undoubtedly been used in place of tent-stakes.

With the toe of his boot he kicked among the ashes and half-burned bits of wood.

There was no sign of smoke, not a living spark to give evidence that human presence had been there for many hours.
There was but one conclusion to make; soon after their unsuccessful attempt on his life his strange assailants had broken camp and fled.
With them, in all probability, had gone the girl whose soft eyes and sweet face had lured him within their reach.
But where had they gone?
Carefully he examined the abandoned camp.

In the hard crust were the imprints of dogs' claws.

In several places he found the faint, broad impression made by a toboggan.