They did not think of telling Beverley and Alice.

Jean, however, lying awake in his little bed, overheard the conversation, which he repeated to Alice next morning with great circumstantiality.
Having the quick insight bred of frontier experience, Alice instantly caught the terrible significance of the dilemma in which she and Beverley would be placed by Long-Hair's situation.

Moreover, something in her heart arose with irresistible power demanding the final, the absolute human sympathy and gratitude.

No matter what deeds Long-Hair had committed that were evil beyond forgiveness, he had done for her the all-atoning thing.

He had saved Beverley and sent him back to her.
With a start and a chill of dread, she thought: "What if it is already too late!" But her nature could not hesitate.