And what he heard drew a cry from him this time, and a sharper whine from Peter.

Out of the blackness of the night had come a woman's voice! In that first instant of shock and amazement he would have staked his life that what he heard was not a mad outcry of the night or an illusion of his brain.

It was clear--distinct--a woman's voice coming from out on the Barren, rising above the storm in an agony of appeal, and dying out quickly until it became a part of the moaning wind.

And then, with equal force, came the absurdity of it to McKay.

A woman! He swallowed the lump that had risen in his throat, and tried to laugh.