The wind crooned over him confidentially, but he still sat there, given up apparently to some posthumous enjoyment of his visitor's departing witticism.
It was scarcely daylight when Zuleika, while dressing, heard a quick tapping upon her shutter.

She opened it to the scared and bewildered face of her brother.
"What happened with her and father last night ?" he said hoarsely.
"Nothing--why ?" "Read that.

It was brought to me half an hour ago by a man in dad's sleigh, from the stage station." He handed her a crumpled note with trembling fingers.

She took it and read:-- "The game's up and I'm out of it! Take my advice and clear out of it too, until you can come back in better shape.

Don't be such a fool as to try and follow me.