to smoke an after-supper pipe with him a little later, will you? And
give our compliments to--her." With a half-sneer on his lips he rejoined
Nome, who stared hard at him, and followed him through the outer door.

"Now, what the devil does this mean?" Nome demanded when they were
outside. "If you have anything on your mind, Steele--"

"I have," interrupted Philip, "and I'm going to relieve myself of it.
Pretty? She's as beautiful as an angel, Buck--the colonel's wife, I
mean. And you--" He laughed harshly. "You're always the lucky dog, Buck
Nome. You think she's half in love with you now. Too bad she was taken
ill just at the psychological moment, as you might say, Buck. Wonder
what was the matter?"

"Don't know," growled Nome, conscious of something in the other's voice
which darkness concealed in his face.

"Of course, you don't," replied Steele.

"That's why I am bringing you over to the cabin. I am going to tell you
just what happened when Mrs. Becker was taken ill, and when she turned a
trifle pale, if you noticed sharply. Buck. It's a good joke, a mighty
good joke, and I know you will thoroughly appreciate it."

He drew a step back when they came near the cabin, and Nome entered
first. Very coolly Philip turned and bolted the door. Then, throwing off
his coat, he pointed to the white skull dangling under the lamp.

"Allow me to introduce an old friend of mine, Buck--M'sieur Janette, of
Nelson House."