warning. He thought he heard a step. In another moment or two the
step was unmistakable. Some one was approaching his window from
the end of the building. He leaned over the sill and found himself
staring into O'Connor's face.

"These confounded feet of mine!" grunted the staff-sergeant. "Were
you asleep, Kent?"

"Wide-awake as those owls," assured Kent.

O'Connor drew up to the window. "I saw your light and thought you
were awake," he said. "I wanted to make sure Cardigan wasn't with
you. I don't want him to know I am here. And--if you don't mind--
will you turn off the light? Kedsty is awake, too--as wide-awake
as the owls."

Kent reached out a hand, and his room was in darkness except for
the glow of moon and stars. O'Connor's bulk at the window shut out
a part of this. His face was half in gloom.

"It's a crime to come to you like this, Kent," he said, keeping
his big voice down to a whisper. "But I had to. It's my last
chance. And I know there's something wrong. Kedsty is getting me
out of the way--because I was with him when he met the girl over
in the poplar bush. I'm detailed on special duty up at Fort
Simpson, two thousand miles by water if it's a foot! It means six
months or a year. We leave in the motor boat at dawn to overtake
Rossand and his outfit, so I had to take this chance of seeing
you. I hesitated until I knew that some one was awake in your
room."