When the messenger departed Reuben turned to Kit Carson and said: “That man looks enough like Jean Badeau to be his own brother.”

“Who is Jean Badeau?”

“Why, he’s the trapper that I came with from St. Louis.”

“The one you lost in the camp when we first saw you?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure he isn’t the same man?”

“No, I am not sure, and that’s just the trouble. Of course it is some time since I saw him.”

“Don’t you know his voice?”

“His voice certainly sounded like Jean’s.”

“Why didn’t you ask him if he is Jean?”