me live long enough, to punish that villain, that devil!--what's
his name, did ye say?"

"Pritchen, Bill Pritchen," replied Mr. Radhurst.

"Bill Pritchen, ye scoundrel, ye'll answer fer this, an' to Pete Martin
at that!"

He was about to say more when he suddenly stopped, and a look of
remorse crossed his face, as he saw Constance lying on the couch so
very still. He seemed to read reproach and wonder in her clear eyes.

"Fergive me, lassie!" he cried. "I didn't mean to frighten ye. But I
do feel bad, thar's no mistake."

"Don't mind me, Pete," said Constance, "for I am rather unstrung this
evening. But there is one thing which has been worrying me much, and I
would like to speak about it now."

"Go ahead, then," and Pete once more resumed his seat.

"Father told you the story of that man dying out in the Ibex cabin, and
that the letters on the rock are the same as on the empty poke which
was found in that chest. It's a wonder Mr. Steadman didn't say
something about it."

"He did, lassie. He did."

"Not to us."

"No, not to you; but he told it to me."

"Who was the man, then, oh, please tell us!" and Constance rose to a
sitting posture in her eagerness.

"Lassie," and Pete spoke very slowly, "I don't mind tellin' ye now;
mebbe it's best ye should know. That chap was yer brother!"

If the prospector expected an outburst of lamentation at this
announcement he was much disappointed. Startling though it was, father
and daughter uttered not a word, but sat very still. The news was not
altogether unexpected, for often had they discussed the matter when
alone, and had reached the conclusion that it could be none other than
Kenneth who had died in the cabin. And yet, mingled with this idea,
there was the faint hope that they might be mistaken, and that their
loved one some day would be given back to them. But now the last
slender thread was snapped to which they had clung so long.

For a while Constance sat motionless on the couch, looking into Pete's
face. But she saw him not, for her mind was elsewhere, drifting,
drifting far away to other days. She did not notice when Mr. Radhurst
left his seat and came close to her side. But when he put his arms
tenderly around her, and drew her close to him, she awoke from her
reverie. Then when she saw the pained look on her father's face, and
the tears which were stealing down his faded cheeks, she threw her arms
about his neck and sobbed like a child.