exertion of his will.

"You know this kills me?"

"Haven't you been doing your best this last hour to make me ripe for
Sullenbode? Well then, cheer up, and join the pleasure party!"

"You say it as a joke, but it is the miserable truth."

Haunte's jeering malevolence had completely vanished. He looked a
sick man--yet somehow his face had become nobler.

"I would be very sorry for you, Haunte, if it did not entail my being
also very sorry for myself. We are now all three together on the
same errand--which doesn't appear to have struck you yet."

"But why this errand at all?" asked Corpang quietly. "Can't you men
exercise self-control till you have arrived out of danger?"

Haunte fixed him with wild eyes. "No. The phantoms come trooping in
on me already."

He sat down moodily, but the next minute was up again.

"And I cannot wait.... the game is started."

Soon afterward, by silent consent, they began to walk the ledge,
Haunte in front. It was narrow, ascending, and slippery, so that
extreme caution was demanded. The way was lighted by the self-
luminous snow and rocks.