T is a simple matter to see the obvious, to do the expected. The tendency of the individual life is to be static rather than
dynamic, and this tendency is made into a propulsion by civilization, where the obvious only is seen, and the unexpected rarely happens.A year later they were in Colorado, where Hans Nelson saw his first mining and caught the mining-fever himself. So Hans Nelson worked at his trade that winter and helped rear the mushroom outfitting- town of Skaguay.Hans Nelson was stolid and easy- going, while Edith had long before won his unbounded admiration by her capacity for getting on with people.Edith and Hans sat at each end of the table. Deep in his throat, in an animal-like way, Hans's rage still rumbled, and several times he made as though to spring back upon his prey and was only prevented by the woman's swiftly interposed body. She could not believe that this raging beast was her Hans, and with a shock she became suddenly aware of a shrinking, instinctive fear that he might snap her hand in his teeth like any wild animal. Hans staggered back against the wall, where he leaned, his face working, in his throat the deep and continuous rumble that died away with the seconds and at last ceased. She could only look at Hans, who, in turn, looked at her. Hans refused to go near Dennin, and Edith was forced to conduct this portion of the investigation by herself. Hans's taking the law in his own hands was no more justifiable than Dennin's deed. They turned and faced him, Hans still holding the shot-gun. Hans refused to touch Dennin, but Edith lashed him securely, hand and foot. At one o'clock, looking toward the cabin, Hans announced that he was hungry. Hans got the sled, and the two dead men were dragged through the darkness and storm to their frozen sepulchre. He watched Hans and Edith with glittering eyes, but made no attempt to speak. Hans still refused to touch the murderer, and sullenly watched Edith drag him across the floor to the men's bunk-room. To her surprise the body rose easily, and she knew Hans had relented and was helping her. But the floor still shrieked the tragedy, until Hans planed the surface of the stained wood away and with the shavings made a fire in the stove.