Swiftly he was telling himself that it was not the hunting season, and that it was not a prospector whom they had seen on the snow-ridge.

As a matter of caution, there could be but one conclusion to draw.

The man had been stationed there either by Quade or FitzHugh, or both, and had unwittingly revealed himself.
He turned toward Joanne, who had already begun to gather up the supper things.

He could hear her singing happily, and as he looked she pressed a finger to her lips and threw a kiss to him.

His heart smote him even as he smiled and waved a hand in response.