"But your brother--he ees magnifique! Such eyes--such limbs! Mon Dieu, but I haf nevaire seen one lak him. And you go all zat way wit' him?--you are verra brave--and so beautiful." Angela would have liked to return the compliment--for the French woman was beautiful enough, and fascinating to her finger-tips--but she felt annoyed that Jim should have placed her in this position. Why should he attempt to pass her off as his sister? It was unpardonable! And here was this French woman regarding him with eyes of obvious admiration. Angela felt a queer little stab in the region of her heart. "I can trade you some food the day after to-morrow, Conlan," said Devinne. "I guess I'll be making Dawson to-morrow." "Nonsense! If you succeed in getting food there, it will be at famine price. Better stay. Nay, I insist. It isn't often we have the pleasure of meeting good company, and we claim you as guests for at least two days." Jim glanced at Angela and saw her mouth twitch. For some reason Angela was keen to get away, but nevertheless there was sound reasoning in Devinne's argument. At Dawson food would fetch a fabulous price, until the freights could bring in bigger supplies. Devinne, with his acute business acumen, had insured a certain supply by ordering the stuff at the close of the last season and paying freightage in advance. Jim intimated that he would wait for the arrival of the food, much to Angela's chagrin and to Natalie's unconcealed joy. "We'll have to rig you up a bed in the next room, Conlan," said Devinne. "We only boast one spare room upstairs, and ladies come first--even in Alaska." "Sure!" "So you've no luck at prospecting?" "Nope. I guess we came too late." Devinne shook his head. "This country is full of gold, but it's just luck in finding it. I know old-timers who have mushed their legs off without striking a cent. On the other hand young Cheechakos, without a grain of experience, have gone straight to the gold and made millions. You aren't giving up?" "I never give up," growled Jim. "But there's my--my sister to be considered. 'Tain't a kind thing to yank a woman over the trail in winter." Devinne agreed with a nod of his head. Conlan puzzled him a good deal. It was amazing that he should be the brother of that beautiful blonde girl, who spoke in cultured tones and was as different from him as chalk is from cheese. There lurked the suspicions that their relationship was other than brother and sister, but being a cleanminded man he strove to banish the thought. In the meantime Natalie was showing Angela the sleeping-room reserved for her, and talking at a tremendous rate about "La Belle France" and all the things she had sacrificed--among these latter she omitted to include her late husband. Doubtless she no longer regarded him as a sacrifice!