Part 2 - Chapter 4 - Page 2

mines and factories blackening
the snow on each side of it, and of the wooded and white-capped
ranges flanking it.

McMurdo strolled up the winding path hedged in with evergreens
until he reached the deserted restaurant which forms the centre
of summer gaiety. Beside it was a bare flagstaff, and underneath
it a man, his hat drawn down and the collar of his overcoat
turned up. When he turned his face McMurdo saw that it was
Brother Morris, he who had incurred the anger of the Bodymaster
the night before. The lodge sign was given and exchanged as they
met.

"I wanted to have a word with you, Mr. McMurdo," said the older
man,speaking with a hesitation which showed that he was on
delicate ground. "It was kind of you to come."

"Why did you not put your name to the note?"

"One has to be cautious, mister. One never knows in times like
these how a thing may come back to one. One never knows either
who to trust or who not to trust."

"Surely one may trust brothers of the lodge."

"No, no, not always," cried Morris with vehemence. "Whatever we
say, even what we think, seems to go back to that man McGinty."

"Look here!" said McMurdo sternly. "It was only last night, as
you know well, that I swore good faith to our Bodymaster. Would
you be asking me to break my oath?"

"If that is the view you take," said Morris sadly, "I can only
say that I am sorry I gave you the trouble to come and meet me.
Things have come to a bad pass when two free citizens cannot
speak their thoughts to each other."

McMurdo, who had been watching his companion very narrowly,
relaxed somewhat in his bearing. "Sure I spoke for myself only,"
said he. "I am a newcomer, as you know, and I am strange to it
all. It is not for me to open my mouth, Mr. Morris, and if you
think well to say anything to me I am here to hear it."

"And to take it back to Boss McGinty!" said Morris bitterly.

"Indeed, then, you do me injustice there," cried McMurdo. "For
myself I am loyal to the lodge, and so I tell you straight; but I
would be a poor creature if I were to repeat to any other what
you might say to me in confidence. It will go no further than
me; though I warn you that you may get neither help nor
sympathy."

"I have given up looking for either the one or the other," said
Morris. "I may be putting my very life in your hands by what I
say; but, bad as you are--and it seemed to me last night that you
were shaping to be as bad as the worst--still you are new to it,
and your conscience cannot yet be as hardened as theirs. That
was why I thought to speak with you."

"Well, what have you to say?"

"If you give me away, may a curse be on you!"

"Sure, I said