he meanwhile, Mrs. Hastings walked up to Sproatly, who, feeling
distinctly uncomfortable, had drawn back judiciously into the shadow.

"Now," she said, "I understand. You, of course, anticipated this."

"I didn't," declared Sproatly with a decision which carried conviction
with it. "I certainly saw them at the hotel, but how could I imagine
that they had anything of the kind in view?"

He broke off for a moment, and waved his hand. "After all," he added,
"what right have you to think it now?"

Mrs. Hastings laughed somewhat harshly. "Unfortunately, I have my eyes,
but I'll admit that there's a certain obligation on me to make quite
certain before going any further. That's why I want you to ascertain
where he checked his baggage to."

"I'm afraid that's more than I'm willing to undertake. Do you consider
it advisable to set the station agent wondering about the thing?
Besides, once or twice in my career appearances have been rather badly
against me, and I'm not altogether convinced yet."

Mrs. Hastings let the matter drop, and they went back rather silently to
the hotel. As soon as supper was past, Mrs. Hastings bade Sproatly get
their wagon out and she drove away with Agatha. During the long, cold
journey she said very little to the girl, and they had no opportunity of
private conversation when they reached the homestead where they were to
spend the night. Agatha hated herself for the thought in her mind, but
everything seemed to warrant it, and it would not be driven out. She had
heard what Gregory had called Sally at the hotel, and the fact that he
must have bought his ticket and checked his baggage earlier in the
afternoon when there was nobody about, so that he could run down with
Sally at the last moment, evidently in order to escape observation, was
very significant.

The two women went home next day, and on the following morning a man,
who was driving in to Lander's, brought Mrs. Hastings a note from
Sproatly. It was very brief, and ran:

"Gregory arrived same night by Pacific train. It is evident he must have
got off at the next station down the line."

Mrs. Hastings showed it to her husband.

"I'm afraid we have been too hasty. What am I to do with this?" she
said.

Hastings smiled. "Since you ask my advice, I'd put it into the stove."

"But it clears the man. Isn't it my duty to show it to Agatha?"

"Well," said Hastings reflectively, "I'm not sure that it is your duty
to put ideas into her mind