steady your nerves."

"I'd rather stay by the rail," replied Nucky, doggedly.

"All right, old man! Don't take this thing too hard, you know! After
all, it's only a crack in the earth."

Nucky grinned feebly, and trudged steadily up to the rail. The sun was
setting and the Canyon was like the infinite glory of God. Untiring as
was his love for the view Allen preferred, this time, to watch the
strange young face beside him. Nucky's pallor was still intense in
spite of the stinging wind. His deep set eyes were strained like a
child's, listening to a not-to-be-understood explanation of something
that frightens him. For a full five minutes he gazed without speaking.
Then the sun sank and the Canyon immediately was filled with gloom.
Nucky's lips quivered. "I can't stand it!" he muttered again, "I can't
stand it!" and once more he bolted.

This time he went directly to his room. Neither Allen nor Seaton
attempted to follow him.

"He is some queer kid!" said Frank, taking the cigar Seaton offered
him. "He may be a born crook or he may not, but believe me, there's
something in him worth finding out about."

"Just what I say!" agreed Seaton. "But don't be sure you're the one
that can unlock him. Mrs. Seaton couldn't and if she failed, any woman
on earth would. And I still believe that a chap that's got any good in
him will open up to a good woman."