ham?"

"He has left Waroona, Jess. He told Brennan he could only report
personally to his chief the truth about the man. Brennan thinks he was
someone connected with one of the big families, and that is why the name
is not made known."

"But I insist on knowing. Was he shot? Is it true, or is it some hideous
blind? I will know, Fred, I will know!"

"Durham was too much cut up when he came to us last night, Jess, for it
to be a blind. A tragedy it may be, but not a blind."

"But who was the man? Whoever he was he killed Charlie, killed him,
Fred. They have no right to hide his name. Besides--how do we know he
was shot? Durham said so, but where is the body?"

He shook his head.

"Jess," he said, "it is sad enough. What the mystery is I cannot say,
but if it has cleared Charlie's name----"

She sank into a chair and buried her face in her hands.

"Oh, that will not bring him back!" she sobbed. "What will that do now?"

He bent over her, with his hand on her shoulder.

"I know," he said, "I know how bitter it is, how hard."

"I said they would find him innocent when--when he had gone," she
exclaimed.

"The Bank wants to make what amends it can," he said softly. "Will you
let----"

"Oh, don't ask me," she moaned. "I know what you would say. Do as you
think best."

"Then I will arrange it?"

She bent her head in answer.

"I should have gone away," she said as she rose and walked across the
room. "You were right. I should never have stayed, never, never!"

"Don't think me cruel, Jess," he said; "but there is something more I
must tell you. Have you heard about Mr. Dudgeon?"

She nodded.

"Oh, yes," she answered. "Poor old man. He was here yesterday. He----"

"He came to the bank," he said, as she was silent. "He left something in
my charge, Jess, and made me promise you should have it at once if
anything happened to him. It was his will. He has left everything to
you."

She turned quickly.

"Fred--Fred----" she gasped as she held out her hands and groped in the
air.

He caught her as she swayed.

For a time she lay in his arms, finding a woman's relief in a flood of
tears. Not until she grew calm did he speak.

"You must go away to-morrow," he said softly. "Go away and rest where
you will not be harassed by all the memories which cling around this
place. Promise me you will."

She raised her head and looked him in the face through her tears.

"Fred, you know why I cannot leave. Even now, w