drift and refused assistance."

Blake colored, for there were, he thought, adequate reasons why he
should take no further favors from his uncle. If the truth about the
frontier affair ever came out, it would look as if he had valued his
honor less than the money he could extort and the Colonel would bear
the stigma of having bought his silence.

"I'm grateful, sir, but I must still refuse," he said. "I'm glad you
made me the offer, because it shows I haven't forfeited your regard;
but I'm sorry I cannot consent."

"Have you any plan for the future?"

"My partner has," Blake answered, smiling. "I leave that kind of thing
to him. I told you about the oil."

"Yes; and Clarke had something to say on the subject. However, he gave
me to understand that capital was needed."

"That is true," Blake replied unguardedly, for he did not see where his
uncle's remark led. "Boring plant is expensive, and transport costs
something. Then you have to spend a good deal beforehand if you wish
to float a company."

"But you believe this venture will pay you?"

"Harding is convinced of it; and he's shrewd. Personally, I don't know
enough about the business to judge, but if I had any money to risk I'd
take his word for it."

Challoner made no reply; and when Blake left him he grew thoughtful.
His nephew's demonstration with the chessmen had lifted a weight off
his mind, but he was troubled by a doubt about the absolute correctness
of his explanation. Moreover, when he dwelt upon it, the doubt
gathered strength; but there was nothing that he could do: Dick
obviously meant to stick to his story, and Bertram could not be
questioned.

In the meanwhile, Blake sought Miss Challoner.

"I don't think my uncle's looking well. Mightn't it be better to send
for Dr. Onslow?" he said.

"He wouldn't be pleased," Miss Challoner answered dubiously. "Still,
he sometimes enjoys a talk with Onslow, who's a tactful man. If he
looked in, as it were, casually----"

"Yes," assented Blake; "we'll give him a hint. I'll send the groom
with a note at once."

The doctor came, and left without expressing any clear opinion, but
when he returned the next day he ordered Challoner to bed and told
Blake he feared a sharp attack of pneumonia. His fears were justified,
for it was several weeks before Challoner was able to leave his room.
During his illness he insisted on his nephew's company whenever the
nurses would allow it, and when he began