For ten minutes more they sat so, all silent. Then Hume rose, handed the
slip of paper to Sergeant Gosse, and said: "Attend to that at once,
Gosse. Examine the food and blankets closely."
The five were left alone.
Then Hume spoke: "Jeff Hyde, Gaspe Toujours, Late Carscallen, and
Cloud-in-the-Sky, this man, alive or dead, is between here and the Barren
Grounds. He must be found--for his wife's sake."
He handed Jeff Hyde her letter. Jeff rubbed his fingers before he touched
the delicate and perfumed missive. Its delicacy seemed to bewilder him.
He said: in a rough but kindly way: "Hope to die if I don't," and passed
it on to Gaspe Toujours, who did not find it necessary to speak. His
comrade had answered for him. Late Carscallen held it inquisitively for a
moment, and then his jaws opened and shut as if he were about to speak.
But before he did so Hume said: "It is a long journey and a hard one.
Those who go may never come back. But this man was working for his
country, and he has got a wife--a good wife." He held up the letter.
"Late Carscallen wants to know who will lead you. Can't you trust me? I
will give you a leader that you will follow to the Barren Grounds.
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