Once the tracks seemed to end squarely against a broad face of rock, but there the young hunter found a cleft in the granite wall scarcely wider than his body, through which he cautiously wormed his way.

Where this cleft opened into the chasm again the fugitive had rested for a few moments, and had placed some burden upon the snow at his feet.

A single glance disclosed what this burden had been, for in the snow was that same clearly-defined impression of a human hand! There was no longer a doubt in Roderick's mind.

He was on the trail of Minnetaki's captor, and the outlaw was carrying his victim in his arms! Minnetaki was injured! Perhaps she was dead.

The fear gripped at his heart until he looked again at the imprint in the snow--the widely spread fingers, the flat, firm palm.