They sat long at the table.  The children were sent off to school.  The adventure up and down Black Devil Peak was thoroughly discussed.  Then Douglas turned to the preacher.

“And what did they do to you, Mr. Fowler?”

The old man smiled grimly.  “That won’t take long to tell.  Old Johnny and I went to sleep soon after you left, and the first thing I knew I was being gagged and blindfolded by a couple of fellows in masks.  They carried me out to the corral and fastened me onto a horse.  I didn’t put up a fight, Doug.  I’m too old.  One of the men then led my horse off at a gallop.  What became of the other man and Johnny, I can only surmise from what Mr. Nelson has told me.”

“Who were the men?” demanded Douglas.

“I don’t know.  Of course, I suspect Charleton Falkner and Scott Parsons.  I suppose it was Scott Parsons, though I couldn’t prove it.  I suppose he took me along the trail Nelson has kept open past the old Government corral to get to Scott’s trail when he goes for his mail.  Anyhow, he locked me into that old cabin, up in the Government corral.  There was fuel and matches, so he didn’t want me to freeze to death.  I think he intended to come back the next day and take me somewhere else before I freed myself or some one found me.  But his plan must have miscarried for he didn’t come back.  It was so very cold and I was so lightly clad that at first I didn’t dare to start out even after I’d broken the door open.  But two days of hunger made me desperate.  The trail was fairly well snowed in but I headed for what I thought would be Nelson’s ranch.  But in an hour or so I was all in.  If Elijah hadn’t found me, I’d have died of the cold up there on the mountainside.”

“I was riding over to Lost Trail for news,” explained Elijah.

“You were riding for God, I’d say,” cried Mr. Fowler.  “And if I’d been a Mormon bishop I couldn’t have been made more welcome than I have been here.”

“A preacher’s a preacher,” said Elijah.  “Well, Douglas, what’s next on your program?”

Douglas looked at Judith.  “I’ve promised to take Judith up to Mountain City.  She’s going to get a job up there, and I am too!”

Judith put down her coffee-cup and her great eyes blazed.  “Why, Douglas Spencer!  You are going to do nothing of the sort!”

“What is Lost Chief to me without you?” asked Douglas, coolly and entirely ignoring the eager-eyed audience.

Judith’s face expressed entire disapproval.  “I never thought you’d let them run you out, Doug!” She turned to Mr. Fowler.  “Don’t let him be a quitter, Mr. Fowler.”

Mr. Fowler was watching Douglas with troubled eyes.  “I don’t know,” he said, “that I blame Douglas.  It seems to me that Lost Chief will have to become conscious of its needs before it can be helped.  I love Douglas very much.  I’d not be sorry to see him get out into the world where there’s a bigger chance for his abilities than in that godless valley.”