The Flaming Jewel

Eve still slept. Descending again from his reconnaissance, Trooper Stormont encountered Trooper Lannis below.

"Has anybody picked up Quintana's tracks?" inquired the former.

"Not so far. An Inspector and two state Game Protectors are out beyond Owl Marsh. The Troopers from Five Lakes are on the job, and we have enforcement men along Drowned Valley from The Scaur to Harrod Place."

"Does Darragh know?"

"Yes. He's in there with Mike. He brought a lot of flowers from Harrod Place."

The two troopers went into the dance hall where Darragh was arranging the flowers from his greenhouses.

Stormont said quietly: "All right, Jim, but Eve must not know that they came from Harrod's."

Darragh nodded: "How is she, Jack?"

"All in."

"Do you know the story?"

"Yes. Mike went into Drowned Valley early last evening after Quintana. He didn't come back. Before dawn this morning Eve located Quintana, set a bear-trap for him, and caught him with the goods----"

"What goods?" demanded Darragh sharply.

"Well, she got his pack and found Mike's watch and jewelry in it----"

"What jewelry?"

"The jewels Quintana was after. But that was after she'd arrived at the Dump, here, leaving Quintana to get free of the trap and beat it.

"That's how I met her -- half crazed, going to find Quintana again. We'd found Mike in Drowned Valley and were bringing him out when I ran into Eve. ... I brought her back here and called Ghost Lake. ... They haven't picked up Quintana's tracks so far."

After a silence: "Too bad this snow came so late," remarked Trooper Lannis. But we ought to get Quintana anyway."

Darragh went over and looked silently at Mike Clinch "I liked you," he said under his breath. "It wasn't your fault. And it wasn't mine, Mike. ... I'll try to square things. Don't worry."

He came back slowly to where Stormont was standing near the door: "Jack," he said, "you can't marry Eve on a Trooper's pay. Why not quit and take over the Harrod estate? ... You and I can go into business together later if you like."

After a pause: "That's rather wonderful of you, Jim," said Stormont, "but you don't know what sort of business man I'd make----"

"I know what sort of officer you made. ... I'm taking no chance. ... And I'll make my peace with Eve -- or somebody will do it for me. .. Is it settled then?"