But her first glance through the gateway showed it closed as if with a white portcullis.

Kate remembered that the trail began to ascend beyond the arch, and knew that what she saw was only the mountain side she had partly climbed this morning.

But the snow had already crept down its flank, and the exit by trail was practically closed.

Breathlessly making her way back to the highest part of the plateau--the cliff behind the house that here descended abruptly to the rain-dimmed valley--she gazed at the dizzy depths in vain for some undiscovered or forgotten trail along its face.

But a single glance convinced her of its inaccessibility.