A fire was roaring in the big stove before he finished his inspection and as he squared his shivering back to the heat he pulled out his pipe and smiled cheerfully at Jackpine.
"Afraid, eh?
And am I to stay here ?" "Gregson um Thorne say yes." "Well, Jackpine, you just hustle over to the camp and tell Thorne I'm here, will you ?" For a moment the Indian hesitated, then went out and closed the door after him.
"Afraid!" exclaimed Howland when he had gone.

"Now what the devil are they afraid of?
It's deuced queer, Gregson--and ditto, Thorne.

If you're not the cowards I'm half believing you to be you won't leave me in the dark to face something from which you are running away." He lighted a small lamp and opened the door leading into the other room.
It was, as he had surmised, the sleeping chamber.

The bed, a single chair and a mirror and stand were its sole furnishing.
Returning to the larger room, he threw off his coat and hat and seated himself comfortably before the fire.

Ten minutes later the door opened again and Jackpine entered.