she as fully accepted every scruple of the blame. He had come down tired
out and nervous from work he had done for her sake, she remembered, and if
he would only glance back once--he must know that she was praying for it--
she would cry out and run down to him; but he went on, on, through the
gate.

A flash of her passion returned to her. "I shall go with Blondy--if it
kills me." And she flung herself into the nearest seat and wept.

So when he reached the road and looked back at last, the doorway yawned
black, empty, and he set his teeth with a groan and spurred down the road
for Alder. He drew rein at Captain Lorrimer's and entered with curt nods in
exchange for the greetings.

"Red-eye," he ordered, and seized bottle and glass as Lorrimer spun them
deftly towards him.

Captain Lorrimer picked up the bottle and gazed at it mournfully when Vic
had poured his drink.

"Son," he murmured, "you've sure raised an awful thirst."



Chapter IV. King Hol

There is a very general and very erroneous impression that alcohol builds
the mood of a man; as a matter of fact it merely makes his temper of the
moment fast--the man who takes his first drink with a smile ends in
uproarious laughter, and he who frowns will often end in fighting. Vic