It brought him up tense, erect, his heart pounding.

Had she gone away?
Was it not possible that she, too, was playing a game in giving the impression that she was leaving down-river on the hidden scow?
Was it conceivable that she was playing that game against Kedsty?
A picture, clean-cut as the stars in the sky, began to outline itself in his mental vision.

It was clear, now, what Mooie's mumblings about Kedsty had signified.

Kedsty had accompanied Marette to the scow.

Mooie had seen him and had given the fact away in his fever.