and I owe him more than I can ever repay. He
brought me up after my father's death and started me, like a son, in an
honourable career." Then his tone grew lighter. "It's one of my few
virtues that I don't forget my debts."

He made as if he would leave them. "And now I've kept you some time.
My American friend hasn't turned up yet and I may be here a few days.
Where are you staying? I'll look you up before I leave."

"We go West to-morrow morning. Come down and have dinner with us at
the _Windsor_," Bertram said, and when Mrs. Challoner seconded the
request they went up the steps to the platform from which the cable
train started.

CHAPTER IV

CHALLONER RESUMES HIS JOURNEY

Blake, who had known hardship, enjoyed an excellent dinner and the
society of his cousin's wife, whose good opinion he rapidly gained. He
would not have blamed her had she treated him with cold politeness, but
instead of this she was gentle and quietly cordial. She had seen his
affection for her husband, and made him feel that he had her sympathy,
without being openly pitiful. He was quick to appreciate her tact, and
it had its effect on him. After dinner Mrs. Keith took Blanche away,
and the men found a quiet corner in the rotunda, where they sat talking
for a time. At length Blake glanced at his watch.

"I have an appointment to keep and must go in a few minutes. Make my
excuses to your wife; I shall not see her again. It would be better,
because there's no reason why she should be reminded of anything
unpleasant now. She's a good woman, Bertram, and I'm glad she didn't
shrink from me. It would have been a natural thing, but I believe she
was sorry and anxious to make all the allowances she could."

Challoner was silent for a few moments, his face showing signs of
strain.

"I don't deserve her, Dick; the thought of it troubles me. She doesn't
know me for what I really am."

"Rot!" Blake exclaimed. "It's your misfortune that you're a
sentimentalist with a habit of exaggerating things; but if you don't
indulge in your weakness too much, you'll go a long way. You showed
the true Challoner pluck when you smoked out that robbers' nest in the
hills and the pacification of the frontier valley was a very smart
piece of work. When I read about the business I never thought you
would pull it off with the force you had. It must have impressed the
authorities, and you'll get something better than your major's
commission b