ace for him at the table, and ministered to
his wants. His presence was so large and comforting that her own
doubts and fears had sunk into the background. For a time,
listening to his artless talk, she was scarcely aware of them, and
she was thankful for the diversion. It had been a terrible
afternoon.

He began to make enquiries regarding Burke's absence at length, and
then she told him about the _veldt_-fires, and the menace to the
land. His distress returned somewhat as she did so, and he was
quick to perceive the anxiety she sought to hide.

"Now don't you worry--don't you worry!" he said. "Burke wasn't
made to go under. He's one in a million. He's the sort that'll
win to the very top of the world. And why? Because he's sound."

"Ah!" Sylvia said. Somehow that phrase at such a moment sent an
odd little pang through her. Would Burke indeed win to the top of
the world, she wondered? It seemed so remote to her now--that
palace of dreams which they had planned to share together. Did he
ever think of it now? She wondered--she wondered!

"Don't you worry!" Kelly said again. "There's nothing in life more
futile. Is young Guy still here, by the way? Has he gone out
scotching _veldt_-fires too?"

She started and coloured. How much did he know about Guy? How
much would it be wise to impart?

Perhaps he saw her embarrassment, for he hastened to enlighten her.
"I know all about young Guy. Nobody's enemy but his own. I helped
Burke dig him out of Hoffstein's several weeks back, and a tough
job it was. How has he behaved himself lately? Been on the bust
at all?"

Sylvia hesitated. She knew this man for a friend, and she trusted
him without knowing why; but she could not speak with freedom to
anyone of Guy and his sins.

But again the Irishman saw and closed the breach. His shrewd eyes
smiled kindly comprehension. "Ah, but he's a difficult youngster,"
he said. "Maybe he'll mend his ways as he gets older. We do
sometimes, Mrs. Ranger. Anyhow, with all his faults he's got the
heart of a gentleman. I've known him do things--decent
things--that only a gentleman would have thought of doing. I've
punched his head for him before now, but I've always liked young
Guy. It's the same with Burke. You can't help liking the fellow."

"I don't think Burke likes him," Sylvia said almost involuntarily.

"Then, begging your pardon, you're wrong," said Kelly. "Burke
loves him like a brother. I know t