Starcus now held his peace for a full minute, during which he never once removed his gaze from the countenance of the good Samaritan. Strange thoughts must have passed through his brain. When he spoke it was in a voice as gentle as a girl's.
"Can you forgive me for what I have done?"
"With my whole heart."
"But I tried my best to kill you."
"Are you sorry?"
"Yes, sorry as I can be."
"Then I repeat, I forgive you; but are you able to rise to your feet?"
"Yes; I pretended I was not, so as to bring you closer to me. Had not my arm been hurt I would have shot you."
"I am not sure of that," replied Warren, with a curious smile; "I suspected it, and was on my guard. At the first move on your part I would have fired. I was not sure even that you were hurt at all until I saw blood on the snow. But it will not do for you to stay here. Let me help you to your feet."
Starcus proved that the rest of his limbs were uninjured by coming as nimbly as an acrobat to an upright posture.