He bade Pierrot good-by, and set out for Le Pas in company with two Indians.

From that point he took the work train to Etomami, and three hours later was in Prince Albert.
"Rest up for a time, Steele," Inspector MacGregor told him, after he had made a personal report on Bucky Nome.
During the week that followed Philip had plenty of leisure in which to tell himself that he was a fool, and that he was deliberately throwing away what a munificent fortune had placed in his hands.

MacGregor's announcement that he was in line for promotion in the near future did not stir him as it would have done a few weeks before.

In his little barracks room he laughed ironically as he recalled MacGregor's words, "We're going to make a corporal or a sergeant of you." He--Philip Steele--millionaire, club man, son of a western king of finance--a corporal or a sergeant! For the first time the thought amused him, and then it maddened him.

He had played the part of an idiot, and all because there had been born within him a love of adventure and the big, free life of the open.