At the mention of Sachigo, Nancy's eyes widened. Then she laughed. It was a laugh of real amusement.
"Why, that's queer. It's—I'm going right on there from here. I'm going to meet this very man, Sternford. They tell me I've just time to get there and pull out again for home before winter freezes them up solid. So he is this great man, with this great—notion. Tell me, what is he like?"
"Oh, he's a big, strong man, as ready to laugh as to fight."
Father Adam smiled, and stooped over the fire to push the attenuated sticks of it together.
"May I ask why you're going to Sachigo?" he asked, without looking up.
Just for a moment Nancy hesitated. Then she laughed happily.
"I don't see why you shouldn't," she cried. "There's no secret. Skandinavia intends to buy him, or crush him."
The man sat up.
"And you—a girl—are the emissary?"
Incredulity robbed the man of the even calmness of' his manner.