t it was not to please himself he was going
out to look for the silver just then, and the deduction was that the
expedition had no attractions for him because he wished to stay at the
ranch. Allowing that, the revelation of his motive had not been
purposeless. It was only his responsibility drove him away from her,
and there was a vague but effective compliment in the implication that
she would recognize it. Still, this train of reasoning had led Alice
Deringham far enough, and she sought distraction from it in her
embroidery, which during the next hour progressed but indifferently.

It was a day or two later when Alton drew Deringham into his room when
he came in bemired all over from the settlement, and the financier
noticed that the table and most of the floor was littered with books,
survey plans, and miscellaneous papers.

"I'll have to leave this place for a little," he said. "I'm going up
to find the silver, but the ranch and all that's in it is at your
service just as long as it pleases you. If all goes as I expect it, I
shall be back in a month or so, and would be glad to find you still at
Somasco. Then, if you are ready, Charley and I will go back to the old
country with you. A lawyer in Vancouver has written to an English
accountant for me, and with him to help us we can fix up all about
Carnaby."

Now Deringham had up to that moment still retained a hope that he could
arrive at an understanding with Alton respecting Carnaby on the spot.
As it was, unless he could gain time, exposure and even worse things
stared him in the face. It had been comparatively simple to hoodwink
his co-trustee, but it would be very different with an accountant of
reputation, and he had also grown afraid of Alton's instinctive grasp
of whatever subject he turned his attention to. There was, of course,
much the rancher did not know, but that left him with attention the
more concentrated upon issues of importance.

Deringham, however, showed but little evidence of dismay or
astonishment. Had he been liable to do so, he would not have held his
own so long in the occupation he followed. His breath came a trifle
more quickly, and his hand trembled a little, but he rested it upon the
table, and all that Alton noticed was a curious little movement about
the corner of his eyes. The rancher, however, remembered it.

"Well," said Deringham, "I must endeavour if possible to return to
England with you. When you spoke of being