Father Roland seized this opportunity to drop back toward the cabin, calling in Cree to Mukoki.

Five seconds after the cabin concealed him from David he had the plush box out of his pocket; another five and he had opened it and the locket itself was in his hand.

And then, his breath coming in a sudden, hissing spurt between his teeth, he was looking upon the face of the woman.

Again in Cree he spoke to Mukoki, asking him for his knife.

The Indian drew it from his sheath and watched in silence while Father Roland accomplished his work of destruction.