not pleased to see Charnock, whom he did not wish to make
free of his shack.

"What have you been doing since you arrived?" he asked.

"Sitting in the bunk-house and waiting for the rain to stop. Then I got
dinner with the boys, and afterwards went to see a rather nice young
fellow called Dalton. I told him I was a friend of yours, and he half
promised to give me a job."

"You don't seem to know who he is?" Festing remarked.

"I don't; but I thought he looked hard at me when he heard my name.
However, don't disturb yourself on my account; I'm pretty comfortable in
the bunk-house."

"Very well. You had better come to my shack when work stops. I can't
leave my men now."

Charnock strolled off with his usual languid air, and Festing resumed
his work. He could not imagine what Charnock wanted, but wished he had
stopped away. In the meantime, he had much to do and drove his men hard,
until a steam-whistle hooted and they threw down their tools. His supper
was ready when he reached the shack, but Charnock had not arrived, and
although this was something of a relief, he felt annoyed. He had told
him to come when work stopped, but the fellow was never punctual. An
hour later Charnock walked in.

"I thought I'd better wait until after supper," he said. "My coming now
leaves you more at liberty to turn me out."

"To begin with, I'd like to know why you came at all?"

"Sadie thought it was time I did something useful, and I agreed. It's
obvious that if anything useful can be done, I'm the proper person to
undertake the job. Now you understand me, shall I go on?"

Festing nodded. Charnock's careless good humor had vanished; he looked
embarrassed but resolute, as if he meant to carry out a disagreeable
task. This was something new for Bob.

"Very well," the latter resumed. "In order to clear the ground, do you
imagine I'm in love with your wife?"

"I'm sure Helen is not in love with you," Festing rejoined.

"That's much, but we have got to talk about the other side of the
matter," said Charnock quietly. "I went to your home with Sadie because
I thought she and Helen could learn something from each other; while
I suspect she thought your society was good for me. It's obvious
that Helen agreed, and Sadie and I will always be grateful for her
staunchness in sticking to us, although you disliked it. Whether I'm
worth the quarrel or not is another thing. I hope you understand me as
far as I've gone."

Festing made a sig