Not until afterward did David realize how terribly his announcement of Tavish's death must have struck into the soul of Father Roland.

For a few seconds the Missioner did not move.

He was wide awake, he had heard, and yet he looked at David dumbly, his two hands gripping his blanket.
When he did move, it was to turn his face slowly toward the end of the cabin where the thing was hanging, with only the wall between.

Then, still slowly, he rose to his feet.
David thought he had only half understood.
"Tavish--is dead!" he repeated huskily, straining to swallow the thickening in his throat.

"He is out there--hanging by his neck--dead!" _Dead!_ He emphasized that word--spoke it twice.
Father Roland still did not answer.