If he had been walking along they would be much wider apart."
He examined the traces again with long and minute care.
"The toes point toward the house, consequently he was looking at it,"
he said. "He was a heavy man, and he stood here a long time, not moving
from his tracks. That's why he left these traces, which are so clear and
evident to me, George, although they're hidden from a blind man like you."
"Well, what of it?"
"Nothing much to you, but a lot to me."
He rose to his feet and examined the boughs of the pine.
"As I thought," he whispered with great satisfaction. "Despite his
courage and power over himself, both of which were very great, he became
a little excited. Doubtless he saw something that stirred him deeply."
"What under the stars are you talking about, Harry?"
"See, he broke off three twigs of the pine. Just snapped them in two
with nervous fingers. Here are pieces lying on the ground. Now, a man
does that sort of thing almost unconsciously. He will not reach up for
the twig or down for it, but he breaks it because it presents itself to
him at the corner of his eye. This man was six feet in height or more
and built very powerfully. I think I know him! Yes, I'm sure I know
him! Nor is it at all strange that he should be here.
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