Wade--who had the ill-omened croak of the raven--Wade--who bent his driven steps toward hell! * * * * * In the brilliant sunlight of the summer morning Wade bent his resistless steps down toward White Slides Ranch.

The pendulum had swung.

The hours were propitious.

Seemingly, events that already cast their shadows waited for him.

He saw Jack Belllounds going out on the fast and furious ride which had become his morning habit.
Columbine intercepted Wade.