im," Harding answered.

"He's the finest man who ever put on a uniform," Brennan exclaimed. "He
is the sub-inspector in charge of this district--he's only been
appointed a couple of months. I reckon it's only a temporary thing for
him, just until there's room to make him an inspector. It's a good thing
for your bank he is coming up. If anyone on earth can unravel a mystery,
my sub-inspector is the man. He won't be long before he has the matter
cleared up."

"If he can get to the bottom of this business, I'll agree with you,"
Harding replied. "But I don't think very much of his first idea; I don't
think he is right if he suspects Eustace. When do you expect him?"

"I should say he will be here some time during the day. He wired from
Wyalla, and I expect he'll ride across country--it will be quicker than
waiting for a train at the junction. Ah, there's Mr. Gale back," he
exclaimed, as a buggy drove past the bank. "If you'll let me know when
Mr. Eustace is free, I'll just step out and hear what he has discovered
about the yarn the men told us."

"All right. I'll call you as soon as Eustace comes in," Harding said,
and Brennan left the office.

Soon after he had gone Harding heard the dining-room door open and Mrs.
Burke's voice ring through the house.

"I don't believe a word of it. It's false; it's untrue. It's all a
blind. I'll see whether there is not justice in the land for an
unfortunate widow robbed of her all."

Then the door was slammed and the front door opened and slammed also.

Harding sat waiting for Eustace to come back to the office. He heard
Mrs. Burke's voice sounding shrill outside, but not clear enough for him
to distinguish what she was saying. Then the buggy started and drove
rapidly away.

A gentle tap came at the door leading to the house, and Mrs. Eustace
opened it and looked in.

"Has that dreadful woman gone?" she asked in an agitated voice. "Is
Charlie here?"

Harding rose and went over to her.

"No. He has not come back yet. He is in the dining-room. Shall I tell
him you want him?"

"Oh, no, perhaps it will be better to leave him alone till he comes out.
Did you hear what she said? She has been making such a scene in there.
Poor Charlie, as if he had not enough to worry him as it is, without her
saying such terrible things."

Brennan, with Gale and Johnson, appeared at the entrance, and Mrs.
Eustace went back into the house, closing the door after her.

"Mrs. Burke has gone,"