“And the name—is—Nevins!” concluded Mountain Jim in a tone of awe.
“And my father had that in his pocket!” said Jimmie, tears of excitement rolling down his cheeks.
“Could your father—possibly—be—Nevins?” asked the professor slowly.
“But Nevins died in the snow!” protested Harry Ware.
“No, Carthew only thought he died. No one knew,” said Mountain Jim reminiscently.
“But the Indians?” suggested Ralph.
“Maybe they saved him,—who knows?” said Jimmie, his eyes shining. “And maybe they let him wander away when he got stronger because they saw he was crazy!”
And so the talk went on, one suggestion and one surmise following another until the long evening was spent. The mystery could not be fully solved, but all agreed not to remind Jimmie’s father of the horrible experience that had been his, if he were, indeed, the subject of Trooper Carthew’s tale.
The next day the faithful doctor approved this decision. He also promised that he would get word to the trooper of this strange sequel to his story.