That's all I saw.

But in the absence of any one else, what should a person think ?" Houston's lips pressed tight.

He turned angrily, the old grip of suspicion upon him,--suspicion that would point in time of stress to every one about him, suspicion engendered by black days of hopelessness, of despair.

But in an instant, it all was gone; the picture of Ba'tiste Renaud, standing there by the embers, the honesty of his expression of sorrow, the slump of his shoulders, while the dog, unnoticed, nuzzled its cold nose in a limp hand, was enough to wipe it all out forever.

Houston's eyes went straight to those of Agnes Jierdon and centered there.
"Agnes," came slowly, "I want to ask a favor.