CHAPTER XIII
A VOW THAT HELD
As a man who gets a knife blade in the ribs Dunvegan settled back in his chair. In spite of his tremendous self control, the pallor crept up through his tan. His eyes widened and remained so, staring glazily. The Factor could not help but notice the change. He gazed a moment above the pages he held.
"What's the matter?" he demanded in genuine surprise. Then recollection coming, he added: "Yes, I remember now. Let that be a lesson to you, Dunvegan. Don't trust a woman out of your sight! I speak from hard experience."
The chief trader pulled his pithless limbs together with an effort.
"There is a mistake somewhere," he began in a quiet, hollow voice. "What you say cannot have happened."
"Why?"
"As you know, Desirée's feeling leaned toward the Nor'westers. She registered a vow that she would never marry a Hudson's Bay man."
"Neither did she!"
"Great God," breathed Dunvegan, "don't fool with riddles! Speak it out!"