"Exactly--that is--no, sir. No sign. Not a sign." The Sergeant was most
emphatic.

"Well, then, where in--where--?" The Superintendent felt himself rapidly
approaching an emotional climax and took himself back with a jerk.
"Well," he continued, with obvious self-control, "let's look about a
bit."

With keen and practised eyes they searched the glade, and the forest
round about it, and the trails leading to it.

"Not a sign," said the Superintendent emphatically, "and for the first
time in my experience Pinault is wrong--the very first time. He was dead
sure."

"Pinault--generally right, sir," observed the Sergeant.

"Always."

"Exactly so. But this time--"

"He's been fooled," declared the Superintendent. "A big sun dance was
planned for this identical spot. They were all to be here, every tribe
represented, the Stonies even had been drawn into it, some of the young
bloods I suppose. And, more than that, the Sioux from across the line."

"The Sioux, eh?" said the Sergeant. "I didn't know the Sioux were in
this."

"Ah, perhaps not, but I have information that the Sioux--in fact--" here