"And so," murmured Enoch to himself, "any perfect journey is ended." BOOK IV THE PHANTASM DESTROYED CHAPTER XV THE FIRING LINE AGAIN "When I shall have given you up, Diana, I shall love my own solitude as never before. For you will dwell there and he who has lovely thoughts is never lonely."--_Enoch's Diary_. The cabin was built of cedar logs. Frank had added to it as necessity arose or his means permitted, and it sprawled pleasantly under the pines, as if it belonged there and enjoyed being there. Na-che gave her peculiar, far-carrying call, some moments before the cabin came into view, and when the little cavalcade jingled up to the door, it was wide open, a ruddy faced, white-haired man standing before it. "Hello, Diana!" he shouted. "Where in seven thunders have you been! You're a week late!" Then his eyes fastened wonderingly on Enoch's face. He came slowly across the porch and down the steps. Enoch did not speak, and for a long moment the two men stared at each other while time turned back its hands for a quarter of a century. Suddenly Frank's hand shot out. "My God! It's Enoch Huntingdon!" "Yes, Frank, it's he," replied Enoch. "Where on earth did you come from? Come in, Mr. Secretary! Come in! Or do you want to go up to the hotel?" "Hotel! Frank, don't try to put on dog with me or snub me either!" exclaimed Enoch, dismounting. "And I am Enoch to you, just as that cowardly kid was, twenty-two years ago!" "Cowardly!" roared Frank. "Well, come in! Come in before I get started on that." "This is Jonas," said Na-che gravely. "I know who Jonas is," said Frank, shaking hands. "Come in! Come in! Before I burst with curiosity! Diana girl, I've been worried sick about you. I swear once more this is the last trip you shall take without me." The living-room was huge and beautiful. A fire roared in the great fireplace. Indian blankets and rugs covered the floor. There were some fine paintings on the walls and books and photographs everywhere. After Enoch and Diana had removed their snowy coats, Frank impatiently forced them into the arm-chairs before the fire, while he stood on the bearskin before them. "For the love of heaven, Diana, where did you folks meet?" "You begin, Enoch," said Diana quietly. At the use of the Secretary's name, Frank glanced at Diana quickly, then turned back to Enoch.