first day he was there, with a request never to fail to come in, no
matter how late he might be detained. Moreover, he wanted to see Jack.

Before he could open the door, it was swung back by Grace. She explained
that she was on the watch so that she might form an idea of what hours
Sedgwick was in the habit of keeping, and to tell him how very angry she
still was. Then she gave him a smile such as an angel might, and was
gone.

Sedgwick went at once to Browning's room, but he was still out. He
crossed over to his own, threw off his coat, put on a smoking-jacket and
slippers, and lighting a cigar, sat down to think.

Before very long Browning came in. "I found him," he said. "He was shy
about giving me the facts, but I ginned him up to the confessional point.
He told me all the truth at last.

"He received but L2,000 for the mine, and he does not believe that a
share of it was ever sold to any one but me. He was paid the L2,000 on
the day I bought the first 50,000 shares. My money paid for the mine;
then I bought it over again. I furnished the purchase money, and then I
bought it again, paying an advance of 500 per cent. And the job was put
up by the old duffers; Stetson was only let in to clear the old chaps
when the truth should be known. And then Stetson wants to marry my Rose.

"But the man told me that the mine was just as described, only a nasty
road would have to be built to it that would probably cost L80,000 or
L100,000, and the mill would have to be built. It looks to me like a
total loss, Jim; but the swindle is so manifest that I believe we can
make the conspirators disgorge at least the last half that they robbed me
of."

The room was still for many minutes. Then Sedgwick said: "Jack, I thought
those old men meant mischief to you when I first saw them. It was because
of that--at least, in part that--that I remained. But one is your
step-father--another the step-father of your affianced bride, and the
other a mere stool-pigeon. There must be no scandal if we can help it. I
believe the object on the part of Jenvie was to keep you from marrying
Rose; what your step-father means I cannot understand. But anyway, if we
can help it, there must be no scandal. We shared alike in Nevada. I have
as much money left as both of us need. We share alike still. But no
matter about that."

"But I have been a hopeless idiot to let these men rob me," said Jack,
"and except for Rose, I would pull out for America to-mor