is a little
difficult to put into words, and if it was anybody else than Harry I
would not try. Still, Alice Deringham is almost as much to him as you
are to me--and I don't think she knows the truth, you see."

Nellie Townshead flushed a little, and there was a trace of anger in
her eyes. "If Miss Deringham is punished for her wicked pride what is
that to you?"

"Nothing," said Seaforth quietly. "Still--because of what I saw at the
ranch--I am sorry for her, and Harry, who has been a very good friend
to me, is being punished too. We have so much, you and I, and he has
nothing now."

The girl did not answer him for at least a minute, and appeared
concerned about something that rattled in the bicycle. Then she
stopped and looked up at the man with a great tenderness in her eyes.

"You want to tell her? Well, it will be very difficult, but I will do
it for you."

Seaforth stooped and kissed the little ungloved hand on the bicycle
reverentially. "I don't know how I asked you, and knowing how much has
been given me I am almost afraid," he said.

Nellie Townshead smiled at him, but she said nothing further until they
parted, and Seaforth turned back towards Vancouver city. He was
brimming over with good-will to everybody when he reached it, and as it
happened found storekeeper Horton, who came down there occasionally,
waiting for him. Horton was by no means a genius or well versed in
legal procedure, but he had a ready wit, and Seaforth felt prompted to
tell him the story of their first disastrous march, which Alton had
hitherto but partially narrated, though he suppressed its final
incident. Horton listened gravely with his most magisterial air.

"Harry's no fool, but he don't know everything," he said. "Now I see
where you and me can take a hand in."

"Yes?" said Seaforth thoughtfully.

Horton nodded. "It was Damer who recorded your claim."

"Damer?" said Seaforth. "That was the man Harry pitched into the river
at Somasco."

Horton chuckled. "You're right. Harry's just a trifle too handy at
slinging folks into rivers and down stairways. Well, the fellow was
hanging round my store, and I thought I knew him and wasn't sure, but
when I saw his name down on the Crown mining record that fixed me. Now
you're quite ready, you and Tom, to swear to the story you told me?"

"Of course, but still I don't see----"

Horton's eyes twinkled. "You will presently. That's where being a
magistrate comes i