, the rank treachery of it seared and scorched.

Forgetful of the sleeping man whom he was there to watch, forgetful of
everything save the bitterness of his betrayal, he paced the floor with
rapid, raging steps.

He had been fooled, heartlessly, callously fooled. The bitterest
thoughts he had ever had of her were all too gentle in the face of this
final revelation. She was false to her finger-tips, a syren in cunning,
a viper in venom.

At the door of the hut he stopped to stand staring out into the dark in
the direction whither she had gone.

The last echo of the click-clock of Gale's trotting horses had died
away; the bush lay mysterious and motionless under the silent veil of
night; no sound came to him save the heavy breathing of the wounded man
asleep in the hut; but through his brain, with the deadening monotony of
numbing drumbeats, there throbbed the mocking, taunting words, "Fooled!
Fooled! Fooled!"

CHAPTER XI

MRS. BURKE'S REBUFF

When Harding returned to the bank the next morning, he presented such a
careworn appearance that Wallace was genuinely concerned.

"Hullo," he exclaimed, "you look as if you had had enough of acting
night-nurse to wounded men. It has been too much for you, my lad."

"It has been an anxious night," Harding replied. "At first both were
fairly well, but towards morning old Mr. Dudgeon became very bad. You
have heard all about the affair, I suppose?"

"I have had a visit from Mr. Gale. There was only one thing he could
talk about. You will guess what that was. The heroism of Mrs. Eustace."

A cloud came over Harding's face at the mention of her name.

"I have a message for her from the doctor. She offered to return to-day
if he wanted her help. He asked me to let her know how bad the old man
had been, and is, and say he would be glad if she could go out at once.
I've had no sleep all night and am fairly tired out. If you don't mind,
I'll go and have a few hours' rest."

"Why, of course, my lad, I'll manage the office by myself all right. Go
and get all the sleep you can. You have earned it."

"Will you let her know what the doctor said?"

"I'll send word to Mr. Gale--I've no doubt he'll let her know," Wallace
said with a short laugh.

"But isn't she here?"

"No. Gale said the place was in darkness when they passed and rather
than disturb me she went on to the hotel, where they put her up. Very
considerate of her, I must admit. She seems to have made the mos