e was no question of his going to prison. I intended only to
get back some of the ore he and his friends have stolen from me."

"I didn't know that."

"Would it have made any difference if you had?"

She considered. "I'm not sure."

Captain Kilmeny and India emerged from the hotel and bore down upon
them.

"All ready, Moya," cried India.

"Ready here." Moya knew that it must be plain to both Captain Kilmeny
and his sister that they had interrupted a disagreement of some sort.
Characteristically, she took the bull by the horns. "Mr. Verinder and I
are through quarreling. At least I'm through. Are you?" she asked the
mine owner with a laugh.

"Didn't know I'd been quarreling, Miss Dwight," Verinder replied
stiffly.

"You haven't. I've been doing it all." She turned lightly to her
betrothed. "They didn't send up the pinto, Ned. Hope he hasn't really
gone lame."

Verinder had been put out of the picture. He turned and walked into the
lobby of the hotel, suddenly resolved to make a complaint to Lady
Farquhar about the way Moya Dwight had interfered with his plans. He
would show that young lady whether she could treat him so outrageously
without getting the wigging she deserved.

Lady Farquhar listened with a contempt she was careful to veil. It was
not according to the code that a man should run with the tale of his
injuries to a young woman's chaperon. Yet she sympathized with him even
while she defended Moya. No doubt if Captain Kilmeny had been at hand
his fiancee would have taken the matter to him for decision. In his
absence she had probably felt that it was incumbent on her to save his
cousin from trouble.

The mine owner received Lady Farquhar's explanations in skeptical
silence. In his opinion, Moya's interest in Jack Kilmeny had nothing to
do with the relationship between that scamp and the captain. He would
have liked to say so flatly, but he felt it safer to let his manner
convey the innuendo. In her heart Lady Farquhar was of the same belief.
She resolved to have a serious talk with Moya before night.

CHAPTER XX

COLTER TAKES A HAND

Moya combed her long rippling hair while Lady Farquhar laid down the law
that hedges a young woman from the satisfaction of her generous
impulses. For the most part the girl listened in silence, a flush
burning through each of her dusky cheeks. There was nothing to be said
that would avail. She might defend the thing she had done, but not the
feelings tha