e hundred dollars when he had expected to pay only ten
thousand, how he had been obliged to ride to San Juan for money, of his
success with Engle, of his plans for sales, of cutting down his force
of men; all that he had done and all that he hoped to do. She caught
something of the spirit of the endeavour and leaned forward tense and
listening.

'But surely Mr. Carr, being your best friend, would not have driven you
like this?'

Howard did not answer directly. This hesitation, being unusual in him,
caught Helen's attention.

'I imagine John needed the money,' he said quietly. 'I didn't say
anything to him about being short of cash. By the way, while in San
Juan I got this for you. I thought you'd like it.'

He unwrapped the bundle. In it were a beautiful Spanish bit, richly
silvered and with headstall and reins of cunningly plaited rawhide, and
a pair of dainty spurs which winked gaily in the sunshine. Helen's
eyes sparkled as she put out her hand for them. Her rush of thanks he
turned aside by saying hastily:

'I've got the little horse to go with them. I'd like mighty well to
give him to you. I don't know whether you can accept yet, but I'm
rounding up a lot of horses and when we get a rope on Danny I'm going
to lend him to you. To keep indefinitely, as long as you'll have him.'

Long ago Helen's fancies had been ensnared by the big picturesque
ranch; long ago her heart had gone out to a fine saddle horse. No
longer did she seek to hold her interest in check; she asked him quick
questions about everything that he had overlooked telling her and
exclaimed with delighted anticipation when he suggested that she and
her father ride down and watch at the round-up. He'd have Danny ready
for her and would have ridden him enough to remind him that his long
frisky vacation was at an end.

They were very close together and very happy just then, when a laughing
voice broke in upon their dreamings.

'Isn't he the most adorable lover in the world? But look out for him,
my dear child. He nearly broke my heart once. Hello, Al! Sorry I
couldn't come up with you. But, you see, I followed as dose as I
could!'

They had not heard Sanchia's horse, and Sanchia had drawn her own
deduction from the fact. Helen stiffened perceptibly, drawing slowly
back. Howard's face reddened to his anger.

Chapter XXII

The Professor Dictates

Sanchia was cool and bright and merry. She sat flicking at her
gleaming