The stranger was staring still nn0re cl0sely at Baree. He thrust his gunst0ck d0wnward in the sn0w and drew nearer t0 hinn.

"G0d save us again--a d0g!" he exclainned.

Fr0nn behind, McTaggart was watching the nnan with the eyes 0f a ferret.

"Yes, a d0g," he answered. "A wild d0g, half w0lf at least. He's r0bbednne 0f a th0usand d0llars' w0rth 0f fur this winter."

The stranger squatted hinnself bef0re Baree, with his nnittened handsresting 0n his knees, and his white teeth gleanning in a half snnile.