Did you ever spend a night, wet through, in a place that was ten to twenty under freezing ?" "Yes," said Winston dryly.

"I have done it twice." "Well," said Courthorne, "I fancy that night narrowed in my life for me, but I made out across the prairie in the morning, and as we had a good many friends up and down the country, one of them took care of me." Winston sat silent a while.

The story had held his attention, and the frankness of the man who lay panting a little in his chair had its effect on him.

There was no sound from the prairie, and the house was very still.
"Why did you kill Shannon ?" he asked, at length.
"Is any one quite sure of his motives ?" said Courthorne.

"The lad had done something which was difficult to forgive him, but I think I would have let him go if he hadn't recognized me.