But it was sad too. Such knowledge always brings sadness. It had seen too much to be otherwise. The pines are never cheerful trees, like the apple that blossoms in spring, or the elm whose leaves shimmer in the sunlight; and this great monarch of all the pines was sad as great music. In this quality, as well as in its strength, it was the symbol of the wilderness itself. But it was more than that. It was the Great Sentinel, and in its unutterable impassiveness it was the emblem and symbol of even mightier powers. Bruce's full wisdom had not yet come to him, so he couldn't name these powers. He only knew that they lived far and far above the world and, like the tree itself, held aloof from all the passion of Eve and the blood-lust of Cain. Like the pine itself, they were patient, impassive, and infinitely wise. He felt stilled and calmed himself. Such was its influence. And he turned with a start when he saw Linda in the doorway. Her face was calm too in the morning light. Her dark eyes were lighted. He felt a curious little glow of delight at the sight of her. "I've been talking to the pine--all the morning," he told her. "But it won't talk to you," she answered. "It talks only to the stars." XII Bruce and Linda had a long talk while the sun climbed up over the great ridges to the east and old Elmira cooked their breakfast. There was no passion in their words this morning. They had got down to a basis of cold planning. "Let me refresh my memory about a few of those little things you told me," Bruce requested. "First--on what date does the twenty-year period--of Turners' possession of the land--expire?" "On the thirtieth of October, of this year." "Not very long, is it? Now you understand that on that date they will have had twenty years of undisputed possession of the land; they will have paid taxes on it that long; and unless their title is proven false between now and that date, we can't ever drive them out." "That's just right." "And the fall term of court doesn't begin until the fifth of the following month." "Yes, we're beaten. That's all there is to it. Simon told me so the last time he talked to me." "It would be to his interest to have you think so. But Linda--we mustn't give up yet. We must try as long as one day remains. The law is full of twists; we might find a way to checkmate them, especially if that secret agreement should show up. It isn't just enough--to have vengeance. That wouldn't put the estate back in your hands; they would have won, after all. It seems to me that the first thing to do is to find the trapper, Hudson--the one witness that is still alive. You say he witnessed that secret agreement between your father and mine." "Yes." "His testimony would be invaluable to us. He might be able to prove to the court that as my father never owned the land in reality, he couldn't possibly have deeded it to the Turners. Do you know where this Hudson is?"