“I will go.”
“Good, but—you must understand. You will leave here with me to-night. There will be no message—no hint to tell any one why you have gone, or where, or that you will ever come again. As long as you are with me you will be as one dead to all who have ever known you.”
“But Marta—Miss Hillgrove—“ cried the other.
Drawing himself up with the air of a conqueror, the Indian answered coldly:
“I, Natachee, have spoken.”
When morning came, Marta saw no smoke rising from the chimney of Hugh Edwards’ cabin. At first she told herself, with a laugh, that Hugh was sleeping later than usual, and went happily about her own early morning work. But as the hours passed and there was no sign of life about the neighboring cabin, she became uneasy. By the time breakfast was over and the Pardners had gone to their work, the girl was fully convinced that all was not right and went to investigate.
Knocking at the cabin door, she called:
“Hugh—Oh, Hugh!”
There was no answer.