Some time we'll meet--" His voice gave out, and he stared again at the floor.
"Couldn't the little girl be traced ?" said Necia.

"What was her name ?" Stark made to speak, but the word was never uttered, for there came a deafening roar that caused Lee's candle to leap and flicker and the air inside the cabin to strike the occupants like a blow.

Instantly there was confusion, and each man sprang to his feet crying out affrightedly, for the noise had come with utter unexpectedness.
"My God, I've killed him!" cried Gale, and with one jump he cleared half the room and was beside Stark, while his revolver lay on the floor where he had been sitting.
"What is it ?" exclaimed Burrell; but there was no need to ask, for powder-smoke was beginning to fill the room and the trader's face gave answer.

It was whiter than that of his daughter, who had crouched fearfully against the wall, and he shook like a man with ague.

But Stark stood unhurt, and more composed than any of them; following the first bound from his chair, he had relapsed into his customary quiet.
There had blazed up one momentary flash of suspicion and anger, but it died straightway, for no man could have beheld the trader and not felt contrition.