At the last moment her courage failed her.  She knew the conversation would have to do solely with the coming trials.  She knew Inspector Egerton’s style in dealing with Ambrose.  She could not face it.

She sent down-stairs the time-honored excuse of young ladies and, tearing off her finery, flung herself, like Ambrose, on her bed.

She passed a worse night than he, for while the man accused fate, she had to accuse herself.  Colina was nothing if not whole-hearted; coward was the gentlest of the names she called herself.

More than once she was on the point of rushing out of the house and, regardless of consequences, imploring Ambrose’s forgiveness.

However, after midnight a way out of her coil suggested itself like a star shining out.  She slept for a peaceful hour.

Long before dawn she arose and awakened her maid.  This was Cora, a stolid Cree half-breed, doggedly devoted to her mistress and accustomed to receiving her impulsive orders like inscrutable commands from Heaven.

Upon being notified, therefore, that they were about to set off on a long journey overland instead of by the launch, she set to work to get ready without surprise or question.

Colina wrote the letter to Ambrose and another to her father.  The latter was a little masterpiece of casualness, designed to prevent pursuit, if that were possible.

She knew that they dared not wait another day, before starting up-stream in the launch.

DEAR FATHER: 

I have heard a rumor of new evidence bearing on the trials.  It’s not worth while telling Inspector Egerton and delaying everything, because I’m not sure of anything.  I’m off to investigate for myself.

I’m taking Cora, and shall have a couple of reliable men with me, so there’s no occasion to worry.  You must not attempt to wait for me, of course.

If I secure any information worth while Mr. Seton will find a way to send me out with it.  If I do not, why I’m not an essential witness at the trials, and of course I’ll be all right here with the Setons until you get back.

Affectionately,

COLINA.

She left the letters with the cook, giving precise instructions for their delivery.  That to her father was not to be handed over until her absence from the house should be discovered.  Nothing was to be said about the other letter.

The two girls saddled Ginger and the next best horse in the stable for Cora to ride, and took a third horse with a pack-saddle for their baggage.

They rowed across the river, making the horses swim in the wake of the boat.  On the other side they set off forthwith on the Kakisa trail.  Colina had decided that it would be a waste of precious time to turn aside to the Grampierres.

Whether Germain started before or after her, she could find him on the way.  That he would start for the Kakisa River this morning she had no doubt.