"But Helen?" cried Stane, looking round. "Where——"
"I haf seen not any mees!" answered the trapper. "I did not know dat dere was——"
"Then they have taken her," exclaimed Stane, staggering to his feet, and looking round.
Jean Bènard also looked round. Except for the figures lying prone in the snow they were quite alone. "Dey must haf done," he said, "eef dere was a mees!"
He looked at Stane, as if he doubted his sanity and Stane reassured him. "Oh I have not gone mad, Bènard. There was a white girl with me in your cabin, Miss Yardely. You must have heard——"
"Mees Yardely! She ees here?" cried the trapper in sudden excitement.
"She was here!" corrected Stane. "I think she has been carried off. We must follow!"
"Oui! Oui!" replied Bènard. "I haf heard of her. The factor at Fort Malsun, he tell me to keep a bright look-out. Dere ees a reward——"
"We must get her!" interrupted Stane. "You must help me and I will double the reward. You understand?"
"Oui, I understand, m'sieu. Dis girl she ees mooch to you?"