The man made no answer.
"Won't you promise me you'll let him go?"
"You really wish it, Bess?"
"Yes, very much."
Still for another moment the man made no move; then of a sudden he arose.
"Come, Bess," he said.
Wondering, the girl got to her feet; wondering still more, followed his lead down the path to the stable. At the door the Indian whistled. But there was no response, no shaggy grey answering shadow. A lantern hung from a nail near at hand. In silence the man lit it and again led the way within. The mouse-coloured broncho and its darker mate were asleep, but at the interruption they awoke and looked about curiously. Otherwise there was no move. Look where one would within the building, there was no sign of another live thing. Still in silence the Indian led the way outside, made the circuit of the stable, paused at the south end where a chain hung loose from a peg driven into the wall. A moment he stood there, holding the light so the girl could see; then, impassive as before, he extinguished the blaze and returned the lantern to its place.
They were half way back to the house before the girl spoke; then, detainingly, she laid her hand upon his arm.
"You mean you've let him go already, How?" she asked.
"Yes. I didn't fasten him this evening."