the head contractor.

By and by somebody knocked at the door, and he got up abruptly as a man
came in.

"Dalton!" he exclaimed.

The other smiled and threw off his wet slickers. It was getting
dark, but the firelight touched his face and Festing studied him with
surprise. The lad, whom he had not seen for some years, had grown into
a man, and had moreover a look of quiet authority. He had made rapid
progress if he had, as Kerr had stated, been sent to report upon the
latter's work.

"You don't seem to have expected me, though, to some extent, I'm
responsible for your being here," he said. "However, I'm remarkably glad
we have met again."

Festing, awkwardly conscious that his welcome was somewhat cold,
indicated a chair, and sitting down opposite began to fill his pipe.
Dalton sometimes wrote to Helen, but had not mentioned his being sent to
British Columbia.

"Well," he said, "I was glad to hear you had got a move up once or
twice, but it looks as if you had gone farther than I thought."

"I had the advantage of a proper training, and the reputation of the
engineer who gave it me counted for something, although I might never
have got my chance in this country but for you. Now I'm happy if I've
been able to show my gratitude. When Kerr brought your name forward I
told him to see you got the contract."

"You did more than you knew," said Festing. "It looks as if you hadn't
heard from Helen."

"Not for a time; I hope she's well. I'd thought about coming West to see
you, but couldn't get away, and she talked about your going to Montreal
this winter."

"That's off, of course. It's plain you don't know that Helen and I have
quarreled."

Dalton looked up sharply, but was silent for a moment or two.

"This is a nasty knock," he said. "I don't know if my relation to you
justifies my venturing on dangerous ground, but do you feel at liberty
to tell me what you quarreled about?"

Festing decided that Charnock's part in the matter must be kept dark. It
was unthinkable that Dalton should imagine he suspected his wife.

"To put it roughly, we differed about what you might call a principle,
although Helen's money had something to do with the thing. You see, I
lost my crop and she was hurt because I wouldn't use her capital."

"I don't see altogether," Dalton rejoined. "In fact, your objection
seems unusual."

He pondered for a minute or two, and Festing marked the change in him.
Dalton had a reserve and thoughtf