Driscoll lay quiet with his eyes shut, but presently moved and began to mutter.

Thirlwell, leaning forward, caught the words: "I never had the thing; he took it with him." The strained voice broke, Driscoll drew a hard breath, and feebly turned his face from the light.

After this Thirlwell, whose curiosity was excited, had less trouble to keep awake, and at length roused Father Lucien, as he had been told.

It was nearly three o'clock in the morning, the fire had sunk, and the shack was very cold.

The wind had fallen and the bush was silent; one could hear the loose snow dropping from the boughs.
Father Lucien crossed the floor and after standing for a time beside the bunk came back and sat down by the stove.
"You can put in fresh wood; it won't disturb him now," he said.