For half an hour they sat together, the younger man asking questions, the other answering in as few words as possible, his keen eyes never leaving the face of his interlocutor.
"Where is this John Britton?" the young man finally inquired.
"In Ophir—at a place called The Pines."
"I know the place; I remember it. How far is it from here?"
"Fifteen miles by rail from the station at the foot of the mountain."
"I must go to him at once; you will show me the way. How soon can we get away from here?"
Peter glanced at the sun. "We cannot get down the trail in season for to-day's train. We will start to-morrow morning."
Without further speech he then went into the cabin and busied himself with his accustomed duties. When he reappeared he again stood silently regarding the younger man with his fixed, penetrating gaze.
"What awakened you?" he asked, at length.