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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:19:24 -0700 |
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diff --git a/25910-h/25910-h.htm b/25910-h/25910-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f453a70 --- /dev/null +++ b/25910-h/25910-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14530 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Long Portage, by Harold Bindloss. +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + .centerbox {width: 20em; margin: 0 auto; padding:1em 2em;} + .bbox {border: thick double} + div.centerbox2 p {text-align:center;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + hr.mini {width: 2em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + .caption {font-size:.8em} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + div.centerbox p {text-align:center;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + .centerbox2 {width: 30em; margin: 0 auto; padding:1em 2em;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Long Portage, by Harold Bindloss + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Long Portage + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Illustrator: Arthur Hutchins + +Release Date: June 27, 2008 [EBook #25910] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LONG PORTAGE *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 363px; height: 541px;' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 363px;'> +“ALL DAY LONG THEY PADDLED UP THE GLEAMING LAKE”—<i>Page 290</i> +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class="centerbox bbox"> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:1em;'>THE LONG PORTAGE</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'>By</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>HAROLD BINDLOSS</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>A PRAIRIE COURTSHIP,</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:8em;'>WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE, ETC.</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLORS BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>ARTHUR HUTCHINS</p> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-emb.png' alt='' title='' /><br /> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-top:1em;'>New York</p> +<p style=' letter-spacing:.2em; font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Publishers</p> +</div> + +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class="centerbox2"> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><i>Copyright, 1912, by</i></p> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Frederick A. Stokes Company</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<div class='ce' style=' font-style:italic;'> +<p>All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign</p> +<p>languages, including the Scandinavian</p> +</div> + +<hr class='mini' /> + +<div class='ce' style=' margin-bottom:3em; font-style:italic;'> +<p>Published in England under the title, “The Pioneer”</p> +</div> + +<div class='figleft'> +<img src='images/illus-cpy.png' alt='' title='' /><br /> +</div> + +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CONTENTS</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='400' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>I.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Gladwyne Expedition</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_THE_GLADWYNE_EXPEDITION'>1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>II.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Divide</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_THE_DIVIDE'>12</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>III.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Cache</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_THE_CACHE'>23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Painful Decision</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_PAINFUL_DECISION'>35</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>V.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Millicent Gladwyne</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_MILLICENT_GLADWYNE'>47</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Nasmyth Tells his Story</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_NASMYTH_TELLS_HIS_STORY'>58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>On the Moors</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_ON_THE_MOORS'>68</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Gladwyne Receives a Shock</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_GLADWYNE_RECEIVES_A_SHOCK'>81</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Lisle Gathers Information</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_LISLE_GATHERS_INFORMATION'>92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>X.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bella’s Champion</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_BELLA_S_CHAMPION'>102</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Crestwick Gives Trouble</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_CRESTWICK_GIVES_TROUBLE'>118</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Mrs. Gladwyne’s Appeal</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_MRS_GLADWYNE_S_APPEAL'>129</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Futile Protest</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_A_FUTILE_PROTEST'>142</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Lisle Comes to the Rescue</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_LISLE_COMES_TO_THE_RESCUE'>153</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bella’s Defeat</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_BELLA_S_DEFEAT'>165</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Gladwyne Surrenders</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_GLADWYNE_SURRENDERS'>177</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Bad Fall</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_A_BAD_FALL'>189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Prudent Decision</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_A_PRUDENT_DECISION'>200</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Gladwyne Gains a Point</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_GLADWYNE_GAINS_A_POINT'>211</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Mrs. Gladwyne’s Temptation</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_MRS_GLADWYNE_S_TEMPTATION'>223</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Last Afternoon</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXI_THE_LAST_AFTERNOON'>233</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Startling News</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXII_STARTLING_NEWS'>243</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Forced March</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIII_A_FORCED_MARCH'>254</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Millicent Summons Her Guide</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIV_MILLICENT_SUMMONS_HER_GUIDE'>265</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Reliable Man</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXV_A_RELIABLE_MAN'>276</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Lisle Turns Autocrat</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVI_LISLE_TURNS_AUTOCRAT'>287</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>An Unpleasant Surprise</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVII_AN_UNPLEASANT_SURPRISE'>298</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVIII.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Clarence Reaches Camp</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVIII_CLARENCE_REACHES_CAMP'>309</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Bold Scheme</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIX_A_BOLD_SCHEME'>321</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXX.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The End of the Pursuit</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXX_THE_END_OF_THE_PURSUIT'>332</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXXI.</td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Lisle Goes To England</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXXI_LISLE_GOES_TO_ENGLAND'>343</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em; margin-top:2em;'>THE LONG PORTAGE</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_THE_GLADWYNE_EXPEDITION' id='I_THE_GLADWYNE_EXPEDITION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>THE GLADWYNE EXPEDITION</h3> +</div> + +<p>Vernon Lisle was fishing with a determination +that did not spring altogether from love +of the sport. The water of the British Columbian +river in which he stood knee-deep was icy cold; +his rubber boots were badly ripped and leaky, and he +was wet with the drizzle that drove down the lonely +valley. It was difficult to reach the slack behind a +boulder some distance outshore, and the arm he strained +at every cast ached from hours of assiduous labor; +but there was another ache in his left side which was +the result of insufficient food, and though the fish were +shy he persevered. +</p> +<p>A few hundred yards away the stream came roaring +down a long declivity in a mad white rapid and then +shot across the glassy green surface of the pool below +in a raised-up wedge of foam. Wet boulders and +outcropping fangs of rock hemmed in the water, and +among them lay stranded logs and stream-packed +masses of whitened branches. Farther back, ragged +cypresses and cedars, half obscured by the drifting +haze of spray, climbed the sides of the gorge, and +beyond rose the dim, rounded summits of treeless hills. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span> +There were streaks of snow on some of them, for winter +threatened to close in unusually early. +</p> +<p>With a lowering sky overhead and the daylight +beginning to fade, it was a desolate picture; one into +which the lonely figure of the man in tattered deerskin +jacket and shapeless hat somehow fitted. His attire +matched the gray-white coloring of rock and boulder; +his spare form and agile movements, together with the +intentness of his bronzed face and the steadiness of his +eyes, hinted at the quickness of observation, the stubborn +endurance, and the tireless activity, by which +alone life can be maintained in the savage North. He +had the alertness of the wild creatures of the waste; +and it was needed. +</p> +<p>All round him stretched a forbidding wilderness, +part of the great desolation which runs north from the +warmer and more hospitable thick-forest belt of British +Columbia. Indeed, this wilderness, broken by the +more level spaces between the Rockies and Lake Winnipeg, +runs right across Canada from Labrador to the +Pacific on the northern edge of the heavy-timber line. +It contains little human life—a few Hudson Bay fur-traders +and the half-breed trappers who deal with +them—and it is frozen for eight months in the year. +There are only two practicable means of traversing it—with +dog sledges on the snow, or by canoe on the +lakes and rivers in the brief summer. +</p> +<p>The water routes are difficult in British Columbia, +but Lisle and his two companions had chosen to go by +canoe, partly because the question of food is vitally +important to men cut off from all source of supply +except game, and even that is scarce in places. To +transport upon one’s back any weight of provisions +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +besides tents, blankets, and other necessaries, through +a rugged country is an almost impossible task. The +men, accordingly, after relaying part of their stores, +had secured an Indian craft and had paddled and poled +her laboriously across lakes and up rivers. Now +when their provisions were running short, they were +confronted with a difficult portage round a thundering +rapid. +</p> +<p>At length Lisle, securing another trout, waded +ashore and glanced with a rueful smile at the dozen +this one made. They scarcely averaged half a pound, +and he had spent most of a day that could badly be +spared in catching them. Plodding back along the +shingle with his load, he reached a little level strip +beneath a scarp of rock, where a fire blazed among +the boulders. A tent stood beneath two or three small, +wind-stunted spruces, and a ragged man in long river-boots +lay resting on one elbow near the blaze, regardless +of the drizzle. He was a few years over thirty, +Lisle’s age, and he differed from Lisle in that something +in his appearance suggested that he was not at +home in the wilds. As a matter of fact, Nasmyth was +an adventurous English sportsman—which describes +him fairly in person and character. +</p> +<p>“Not many,” he commented, glancing at the trout +Lisle laid down. “They’ll hardly carry us over to-morrow, +and I only got a couple from the canoe with +the troll. We’ve gained nothing by stopping here, +and time’s precious.” +</p> +<p>“A sure thing,” Lisle agreed, beginning to clean +the trout. “We’ll tackle the portage as soon as it’s +light to-morrow. Where’s Jake?” +</p> +<p>“Gone off to look for a deer,” was the answer. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span> +“Said he wouldn’t come back without one if he camped +on the range all night.” +</p> +<p>Lisle made no comment, but went on dexterously +with his work, while Nasmyth watched him with half-amused +admiration. +</p> +<p>“You’re handy at that and at everything else you +do,” Nasmyth remarked at length. “In fact, you +easily beat Jake, though he’s a professional packer +and, so to speak, to the manner born.” +</p> +<p>“So am I,” said Lisle. +</p> +<p>It was growing dark, but the coppery glow of the +fire fell upon his face, emphasizing the strong coloring +of his weather-darkened skin. On the whole, it +was a prepossessing face, clearly cut—indeed, it was +a trifle thin—with a hint of quiet determination in +the clear gray eyes and firm mouth. He looked capable +of resolute action and, when it was needed, of +Spartan self-denial. There was no suggestion of anything +sensual, or even of much regard for bodily comfort. +</p> +<p>“If you don’t mind my being a little personal, +I’d better own that I suspected the fact you mention, +and it puzzled me,” Nasmyth replied. “You +see, when I first met you at the Empress Hotel, in Victoria, +you were dressed and talked like the usual prosperous +business man. Trafford, who introduced us, +said that you had a good deal of money in some of the +Yukon mines.” +</p> +<p>“Trafford was quite right. The point is that I +took a part in locating two of the claims. Before +that I followed a good many rough occupations, +mostly in the bush. My prosperity’s recent.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth still looked curious, and Lisle smiled. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span></p> +<p>“I can guess your thoughts—I don’t speak altogether +like a bushman? Well, my father was an Englishman, +and my mother a lady of education from +Montreal; that was why, at the cost of some self-denial +on their part, I was sent East to school.” +</p> +<p>It was an incomplete explanation. He had inherited +the Englishman’s reticence, which forbade him to +point out that his father sprang from an old family +of standing and had, for some reason which his son +had never learned, quarreled bitterly with his English +relatives. Coming to Canada, he had married and +taken up the bush life on a small and unremunerative +ranch, where he had died and left his widow and his son +badly provided for. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” responded Nasmyth; and Lisle supposed +it was in recognition of the fact that he would +hardly have furnished even those few particulars to +one whom he regarded as a stranger. “To reciprocate, +a few words will make clear all there is to know +about me. English public school, Oxford afterward—didn’t +take a degree. Spend most of my time in +the country, though I make a few sporting trips +abroad when I can afford it and have nothing better +to do. That partly explains this journey. But I +haven’t tried to force your confidence, nor offered you +mine, altogether casually.” +</p> +<p>“So I supposed,” returned Lisle. “It strikes me +that since we got near the Gladwyne expedition’s line +of march we have both felt that some explanation is +needed. To go back a little, when I met you in Victoria +and you offered to join me in the trip, I agreed +partly because I wanted an intelligent companion, but +I had another reason. At first I supposed you wished +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span> +to go because a journey through a rough and little-known +country seems to appeal to one kind of Englishman, +but I changed my mind when you showed +your anxiety to get upon the Gladwyne party’s trail.” +</p> +<p>“You were right. I knew the Gladwynes in England; +the one who died was an old and valued friend +of mine. I could give you the history of their march, +though I hardly think that’s needful. You seem remarkably +well acquainted with it.” +</p> +<p>Lisle’s face hardened. With the exception of one +man, he knew more than anybody else about the fatal +journey a party of four had made a year earlier +through the region he and Nasmyth were approaching. +</p> +<p>“I am,” he said. “There’s a cause for it; but I’ll +ask you to tell me what you know.” +</p> +<p>He threw more branches on the fire and a crackling +blaze sprang aloft, forcing up the ragged spruce +boughs out of the surrounding gloom. +</p> +<p>“This is the survivor’s narrative. I heard it from +his own lips more than once,” began Nasmyth. “I +dare say most of it’s a kind of story that’s not unusual +in the North.” +</p> +<p>“It’s one that has been repeated with local variations +over and over again. But go on.” +</p> +<p>“There were two Gladwynes—cousins. George, +the elder of the two, was a man of means and position; +Clarence, the younger, had practically nothing—two +or three hundred pounds a year. They were both +sportsmen—George was a bit of a naturalist—and +they made the expedition with the idea of studying +the scarcer game. Well, their provisions were insufficient; +an Indian packer deserted them; they were delayed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +here and there; and when they reached the river +that we are making for they were badly worn out and +winter was closing in. Knowing it was dangerous to +go any farther, they started down-stream to strike +their outgoing trail, but not long afterward they +wrecked their canoe in a rapid and lost everything except +a few pounds of provisions. To make things +worse, George had fallen from a slippery rock at the +last portage and badly hurt his leg. After making +a few leagues with difficulty, he found he could go no +farther, and they held a council. They were already +suffering from want of food, but their guide estimated +that by a forced march overland they might reach a +place where some skin-hunters were supposed to be +camped. There was a Hudson Bay post farther away. +On coming up they had cached some provisions in +two places on opposite sides of the river—they kept +crossing to pole through the easiest slack. George +accordingly insisted that the others go on; each was +to follow a different bank and the first to find the provisions +was to try to communicate with the other and +hurry back with food. If they were unable to locate +the caches they were to leave the river and push on in +search of help. They agreed; but deep snow had +fallen and Clarence Gladwyne failed to find the cache. +He reached the hunters’ camp famishing, and they +went back with him. He found his cousin dead.” +</p> +<p>“And the guide?” +</p> +<p>“It’s rather an ugly story. You must have heard +it.” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t heard the one Gladwyne told in England.” +</p> +<p>“The guide reached the Hudson Bay post—a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +longer journey than the one Gladwyne made—in the +last stage of exhaustion. He had taken very little +food with him—Gladwyne knew exactly how much—and +the Hudson Bay agent decided that it was impossible +he could have covered the distance on the minute +quantity. There was only one inference.” +</p> +<p>“That he had found the cache?” Lisle’s face +grew very stern. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded. +</p> +<p>“In a way, there was some slight excuse for him. +Think of it—a worn-out, famishing man, without +blankets or means of making a fire, who had struggled +over icy rocks and through leagues of snow, finding +a few cans of provisions and a little moldy flour! +Even when he had satisfied his hunger, he was, no +doubt, unequal to making the return journey to rejoin +a man who was probably already dead.” +</p> +<p>“If that man had found a scrap of food, he would +have tried!” +</p> +<p>Lisle’s voice had a curious ring in it, and Nasmyth +looked at him hard. +</p> +<p>“You seem convinced.” +</p> +<p>“I am; I knew him well.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth was startled and he showed it, but afterward +he looked thoughtful. +</p> +<p>“I believe I understand,” he said. +</p> +<p>For a minute or two there was silence which was +broken only by the snapping of the branches on the +fire and the hollow roar of the rapid. The latter had +a curious, irritating effect on Nasmyth, who hitherto +had scarcely noticed the insistent pulsatory clamor. +At length Lisle spoke again, laying a strong restraint +upon himself. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></p> +<p>“Our mutual friend called me Lisle at the Empress +Hotel. I don’t think he mentioned my first name, +Vernon; and as that was the name of Gladwyne’s guide +I kept it in the background. I was anxious to take +you with me; I wanted an Englishman of some standing +in the old country whose word would be believed. +What was more, I wanted an honest man who would +form an unbiased opinion. I didn’t know then that you +were a friend of Gladwyne’s.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a slight gesture which suggested the +acknowledgment of a compliment. +</p> +<p>“I’ll try to be just—it’s sometimes hard.” His +voice had a throb of pain in it as he went on: “I +was the friend of George Gladwyne—the one who +perished. I had a strong regard for him.” +</p> +<p>Something in his expression hinted that this regard +had not been shared by the Gladwyne who survived. +</p> +<p>“When my father first came out to British Columbia, +new to the bush ways,” Lisle resumed, “a +neighbor, Vernon, was of great help to him—lent +him teams, taught him how to chop, and what cattle +to raise. He died before my father, and I was named +for him; but he left a son, older than I, who grew +up like him—I believe he was the finest chopper and +trailer I have ever come across. He died, as you have +heard, from exposure and exhaustion, a few days +after he reached the Hudson Bay post—before he +could clear himself.” +</p> +<p>Lisle broke off for a moment and seemed to have +some difficulty in continuing. +</p> +<p>“When my father died, Vernon took charge of the +ranch, at my mother’s request—I was rather young +and she meant to launch me in some profession. Vernon +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +had no ambition—he loved the bush—and he +tried to give me enough to finish my education while he +ran both ranches with a hired man. I think my +mother never suspected that he handed her over more +than she was entitled to, but I found it out and I’ve +been glad ever since that I firmly prevented his continuing +the sacrifice. For all that, I owe him in many +ways more than I could ever have repaid.” He +clenched one hand tight as he concluded: “I can at +least clear his memory.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded in sympathy. +</p> +<p>“You called me an honest man; you have my word—I’ll +see the right done.” +</p> +<p>Quietly as it was spoken, Lisle recognized that it +was no light thing his companion promised him. In +the Dominion, caste stands by caste, and Lisle, having +seen and studied other Englishmen of his friend’s description, +knew that the feeling was stronger in the +older country. To expose a man of one’s own circle +to the contempt and condemnation of outsiders is, in +any walk of life, a strangely repugnant thing. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “to-morrow we’ll pull out and +portage across the divide to strike the Gladwynes’ +trail. And now I’ll fry the trout and we’ll have supper.” +</p> +<p>They let the subject drop by tacit agreement during +the meal, and soon after it was over a shout from +the crest of the ridge above, followed by a smashing +of underbrush, announced that their packer was making +for the camp. Lisle answered, and a cry came +down: +</p> +<p>“Got a deer, and there are duck on the lake ahead! +We’ll try for some as we go up!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p> +<p>Nasmyth’s smile betokened deep satisfaction. +</p> +<p>“That’s a weight off my mind,” he declared. “I’ll +smoke one pipe, and then I think I’ll go to sleep. +We’ll make a start with the first loads as soon as it’s +light enough.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II_THE_DIVIDE' id='II_THE_DIVIDE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>THE DIVIDE</h3> +</div> + +<p>Dawn was late the next morning; the light +crept slowly through bitter rain, and when +Lisle and his companions had breakfasted +sumptuously for the first time during several days it +was with reluctance that they broke camp. Indeed, +Nasmyth would have suggested remaining under shelter +only that he had come to accept Lisle’s decision +as final and the latter was eager to push on. The +blacktail deer would not last them long; the trout +were getting shyer every day with the increasing cold; +they were a long distance from the nearest settlement; +while winter was rapidly coming on. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth shouldered his load with the others, and +they set out across a strip of gravel strewn with +boulders. Here and there networks of stranded +branches had to be floundered through, and the ragged +ends rasped their dilapidated boots and bruised their +legs. Then, where the bluff rose almost precipitously +from the water, they crept along slippery ledges, or +waded through the shallower pools, with the white +rapid roaring down a few yards outshore of them. +There were places where a slip would have meant destruction, +but that was nothing unusual and time was +too precious to spend in an attempt to climb the ridge +which hemmed them in. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span></p> +<p>The pack-straps hurt Nasmyth’s shoulders—one +of them had been rubbed raw by previous loads and it +smarted painfully until he grew warm with exertion. +He was soon wet through; in places the spray drove +into his face so that he could hardly see; but he held +on with dogged determination, trying to keep up with +the others. With the exception of a few hunting +trips, his life had been smooth, and now, dressed mostly +in rags and aching in every limb, he smiled grimly as +he remembered how he had hitherto taken his pleasure. +When he had shot partridges, he had, as a rule, been +driven to such stubble or turnip fields as lay at any +distance from his residence, and he had usually been +provided with a pony when he ascended the high moors +in search of grouse. Money smoothed out many small +difficulties in the older land, but it was powerless in +the wilds of the new one, where one must depend on +such things as native courage, brute strength, and the +capacity for dogged endurance, which are common to +all ranks of men. It was fortunate for Nasmyth that +he possessed them, but that, as he was discovering, is +not quite enough. They are great gifts in the raw, +but, like most others, they need exercise and assiduous +cultivation for their full development. +</p> +<p>On reaching the head of the rapid, they went back +for another load, and afterward Jake got into the +canoe, while Lisle fixed the end of the tracking-line +about his shoulders. Aided by the line, the packer +swung the canoe across madly whirling eddies and in +and out among foam-lapped rocks, and now and then +drove her, half hidden by the leaping froth, up some +tumultuous rush. At times Lisle, wading waist-deep +and dragged almost off his feet, barely held her stationary—Nasmyth +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +could see his chest heave and his +face grow darkly flushed—but in another instant +they were going on again. That a craft could be +propelled up any part of the rapid would, Nasmyth +thought, have appeared absolutely incredible to any +one who had not seen it done. +</p> +<p>At last, however, the task became too hard for them +and after dragging her out they carried her, upside +down, in turn. It was difficult for them to see where +they were going, and the craft, made from a hollowed +log, was by no means so well fitted for the work as the +bark or canvas canoe of the more eastern wilds. She +was comparatively heavy, and their heads and shoulders +were inside of her. Once or twice the portager +fell; and the fall is an awkward one, as it is impossible +to break it with one’s hands, which are occupied in +holding the canoe. Still, they made progress, and, +launching again above the rapid, they reached a lake +at noon, by hard paddling. Here they landed, and +Nasmyth dropped down upon a boulder to look about +him. +</p> +<p>It was a cheerless prospect he saw through the haze +of rain. Back into the distance ran a stretch of slate-gray +water, flecked and seamed by the white tops of +little splashing waves, for a nipping wind blew down +the lake. On either side rose low hills, dotted here +and there with somber and curiously rigid trees. They +were not large, and though from a distance they +looked much the same, Nasmyth recognized some as +spruce and supposed the other ragged spires to be +cedars. In one spot there were some that resembled +English larch, and these were almost bare. +</p> +<p>Then his companions began to discuss the best +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +means of further progress. With a fresh breeze +ahead, Jake advocated poling through the shallows +near the beach; and Lisle, with a courtesy which Nasmyth +had already noticed, turned toward him when +he answered, as if his opinion might be valuable. +</p> +<p>“The trouble is that the beach sweeps back off the +straight. We’d drive her right up the middle to headwater +with the paddle before we’d make two-thirds of +the way poling alongshore.” +</p> +<p>“It would be a good deal harder work, wouldn’t +it?” Nasmyth ventured, and laughed when he saw +Lisle’s faint amusement. “I suppose that doesn’t +count. It’s not worth mentioning,” he added. +“Since you’re anxious to get on, what’s the use of +stopping for dinner? After the breakfast I had, I +can hold out some time.” +</p> +<p>“I want to get through as quickly as I can; that’s +why I’m not going to rush you unless it’s necessary,” +Lisle answered. “Try to get hold of the fact that a +man needs food regularly to keep him in efficient going +order.” +</p> +<p>“Indisputable,” Nasmyth agreed. “But he can +do without it and work for a while. We’ve proved +it.” +</p> +<p>“Not without paying,” Lisle pointed out. “You +can draw upon your reserves, but it takes time and rest +to make them good. We may need all ours badly before +we’re through.” +</p> +<p>There was a grim hint in his last words which Nasmyth +found convincing, and when he had rested he +helped to prepare the meal. It was a simple one—cold +doughy cakes baked in a frying-pan, extraordinarily +tough and stringy venison, with a pint-can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +each of strong green tea. Their sugar had long ago +melted and the condensed milk was exhausted. +</p> +<p>Afterward, they shoved the canoe out and paddled +doggedly into the driving rain and the strong headwind. +The spray from the splashing bows blew into +their faces, and the broken water checked them badly. +Nasmyth’s hands began to blister. To make it worse, +there was a raw wound on one of them, the result of a +similar day’s toil; and his knees chafed sore against +the branches in the craft’s bottom. There was, however, +no respite—the moment they slackened their +exertions they would drift to lee—and he held on, +keeping awkward stroke with Jake, while Lisle swung +the balancing paddle astern. +</p> +<p>They kept it up for several hours, and then, toward +evening, the rain ceased and the clouds rolled aside. +A wonderful yellow light shone behind the bordering +hills, and the twisted, wind-battered cedars on their +crests stood out against it in hard, fretted tracery. +The wind dropped; the short, white waves smoothed +down; the water, heaving gently, gleamed with a coppery +glare, and the paddle blades seemed to splash up +liquid fire. Then the shores closed in ahead, and, +landing on a shingle beach, they made camp in the +mouth of a gap among the hills. Supper was prepared +and eaten, and afterward Jake took up his +rifle. +</p> +<p>“I saw some ducks in the next bay,” he explained. +</p> +<p>He strolled out of camp, and Nasmyth smiled at +Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Except when he advised you to pole, that’s about +all he has said to-day.” +</p> +<p>This was correct. The packer was a taciturn inhabitant +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +of the wilds who seldom indulged in an unnecessary +remark. There was, however, no moroseness +about him; the man was good-humored in his +quiet way, and his usual ruminative calm was no deterrent +from apparently tireless action. For the most +part, he lived alone in the impressive stillness of the +bush, where he had a few acres of partly cleared land +which failed to provide him with a living. For that +reason, he periodically left his tiny log house and +packed for some survey expedition, or went down to +work for a few months at a sawmill. Capable of most +determined labor, wonderfully proficient with his +hands, he asked no more from life than a little plain +food and indifferent shelter. No luxury that civilization +could offer would have tempted him to desert the +wilds. +</p> +<p>Lisle filled his pipe with leisurely content. He shared +Jake’s love for the wilderness, and he found it +strangely pleasant to rest in camp after a day’s persistent +toil. Besides, he usually enjoyed his evening +chat with Nasmyth, for, widely different as their training +and mode of life had been, they had much in common. +Then, too, there was something in the prospect +spread out before them that impelled tranquillity. +The clump of wet cedars among which they had +camped distilled a clean, aromatic smell; and there was +a freshness in the cool evening air that reinvigorated +their tired bodies. Above the low hilltops the sky +glimmered with saffron and transcendental green, and +half the lake shone in ethereal splendor; the other half +was dim and bordered with the sharply-cut shadows +of the trees. Except for the lap of water upon the +pebbles and the wild cry of a loon that rang like a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +peal of unearthly laughter out of a darkening bay, +there was nothing to break the deep stillness of the +waste. +</p> +<p>Lisle pointed to the gap in the hills, which was filling +with thin white mist. +</p> +<p>“That’s the last big portage the Gladwynes made,” +he remarked. “They came in by a creek to the west, +and they were badly played out when they struck this +divide; the struggle to get through broke them up.” +He paused before he added: “What kind of men +were they?” +</p> +<p>“George wasn’t effusive; he was the kind of man +you like better the longer you know him. If I were +told that he ever did a mean thing, I wouldn’t believe +it. His last action—sending the others on—was +characteristic.” +</p> +<p>“They didn’t want to go,” Lisle interposed quietly. +</p> +<p>His companion nodded. +</p> +<p>“I believe that’s true. I like to think so.” +</p> +<p>There was something curious in his tone, which Lisle +noticed. +</p> +<p>“From the beginning,” Nasmyth went on, +“George behaved very generously to Clarence.” +</p> +<p>“It was Clarence that I meant to ask about more +particularly.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked thoughtful, and when he answered, +it struck Lisle that he was making an effort to give an +unbiased opinion. +</p> +<p>“Clarence,” he said, “is more likable when you first +meet him than George used to be; a handsome man +who knows how to say the right thing. Makes friends +readily, but somehow he never keeps the best of them. +He’s one of the people who seem able to get whatever +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +they want without having to struggle for it and who +rarely land in any difficulty.” +</p> +<p>Again a grudging note became apparent, as though +the speaker were trying to subdue faint suspicion or +disapproval, and Lisle changed the subject. +</p> +<p>“Had George Gladwyne any immediate relatives?” +</p> +<p>“One sister, as like him as it’s possible for a woman +to be. He wasn’t greatly given to society; I don’t +think he’d ever have married. His death was a crushing +blow to the girl—they were wonderfully attached +to each other—but I’ve never seen a finer display of +courage than hers when Clarence cabled the news.” +</p> +<p>He broke off, as if he felt that he had been talking +with too much freedom, and just then the report of +a rifle came ringing across the water. +</p> +<p>“That’s a duck’s head shot off. Jake doesn’t +miss,” he said. +</p> +<p>Lisle nodded. He could take a hint; and he had no +doubt that Nasmyth was right regarding the shot, +though it is not easy to decapitate a swimming duck +with a rifle. He began to talk about the portage; +and soon after Jake returned with a single duck they +went to sleep. +</p> +<p>It was clear and bright the next morning and they +spent the day carrying their loads a few miles up +the hollow which pierced the height of the divide. +Part of it was a morass, fissured with little creeks +running down from the hills whose tops rose at no +great elevation above the opening. This was bad to +traverse, but it was worse when they came to a muskeg +where dwarf forest had once covered what was now +a swamp. Most of the trees had fallen as the soil, +from some change in the lake’s level, had grown too +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +wet. They had partly rotted in the slough, and willows +had afterward grown up among them. +</p> +<p>Now and then the men laid down their loads and +hewed a few of the still standing trunks, letting them +fall to serve as rude bridges where the morass was +almost impassable, but the real struggle began when +they went back for the canoe. At first they managed +to carry her on their shoulders, wading in the +bog, but afterward she must be dragged through or +over innumerable tangles of small fallen trunks and +networks of rotten branches that had to be laboriously +smashed. It was heroic labor—sometimes they spent +an hour making sixty yards—and Lisle’s face grew +anxious as well as determined. Game had been very +scarce; the deer would not last them long; and disastrous +results might follow a continuance of their +present slow progress. When, utterly worn out, they +made camp on slightly firmer ground toward four +o’clock in the afternoon, Lisle strode off heavily toward +the bordering hills, while Jake pushed on to +prospect ahead. Nasmyth, who was quite unable to +accompany either, prepared the supper and awaited +their reports with some anxiety. +</p> +<p>Lisle came back first and shook his head when Nasmyth +asked if he had found a better route on higher +ground. +</p> +<p>“Not a slope we could haul along,” he reported. +“That way’s impracticable.” +</p> +<p>It was nearly dark when Jake came in. +</p> +<p>“It’s not too bad ahead,” he informed them. +</p> +<p>They were not greatly reassured, because Jake’s +idea of what was really bad was alarming. Nasmyth +glanced at his companion with a smile. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></p> +<p>“Is it any better than this?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“A little,” answered Jake. “An old trail runs +in.” +</p> +<p>“Gladwyne’s trail?” exclaimed Nasmyth. “The +one we’re looking for?” +</p> +<p>“Why, yes,” drawled Jake, as if it were scarcely +worth mentioning. “I guess it is.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth turned to Lisle. +</p> +<p>“I was lucky when I lighted on you as a companion +for this trip. You have been right in your predictions +all along, and now you’re only out in striking +the trail a day before you expected.” +</p> +<p>“I know the bush,” returned Lisle. “It’s been +pretty easy so far—but, for several reasons, I wish +the next week or two were over.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked troubled. One could have imagined +that misgivings which did not concern his personal +safety were creeping into his mind. +</p> +<p>“So do I,” he confessed, and turning toward the +fire he busied himself with Jake’s supper. +</p> +<p>There was no change in the work the next morning, +but in the afternoon it became evident that another +party had made that portage ahead of them. The +soil was a little drier and where the small trees grew +more thickly they could see that a passage had been +laboriously cleared. In the swampy hollows, which +still occurred, trunks had here and there been flung into +the ooze. This saved them some trouble and they made +better progress, but both Lisle and Nasmyth became +silent and grave as the signs of their predecessors’ +march grew plainer. By nightfall they had reached +the second camping-place, which told an eloquent story +of struggle with fatigue and exhaustion. Lisle, stopping +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +in the gathering dusk, glanced around the old +camp site. +</p> +<p>“A good place to pitch the tent, but I think I’d +rather move on a little,” he said. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a sign of comprehension. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he agreed. “I couldn’t sleep soundly here. +Everything about us is too plain a reminder; I’ve no +doubt you feel it as I do. A firm and trusted friend +lay, famishing, beside that fire, in what extremity of +weakness and suffering I dare not let myself think. +It’s possible he cut those branches yonder.” +</p> +<p>Lisle’s face expressed emotion sternly held in check. +</p> +<p>“That was Vernon’s work—no Englishman new +to the country could have slashed them off so cleanly. +But look at this small spruce stump. He was the better +chopper, but it’s significant that he used three or +four strokes where I would have taken one.” +</p> +<p>Even the laconic Jake appeared relieved when they +forced their way a little farther through the tangled +undergrowth, until finding a clear space they set up the +tent. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_THE_CACHE' id='III_THE_CACHE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>THE CACHE</h3> +</div> + +<p>They spent the greater part of a week on the +portage, crossing here and there a little lake; +and then came out one evening on a river that +flowed, green and tranquil, beneath a ridge of hills. +Here they camped; and on rising with a shiver in the +raw and nipping dawn the next morning, Nasmyth +found Lisle busy at the fire. Jake was cutting wood +some distance off, for the thud of his ax rang sharply +through the stillness. +</p> +<p>“I was awake—thinking—a good deal last night; +in fact, I’ve been restless ever since we struck the +Gladwynes’ trail,” Nasmyth began. “Now, I understand +that an uninterrupted journey of about sixteen +days would take us well on our way toward civilization. +You say you apprehend no difficulty after that?” +</p> +<p>“No.” Lisle waited, watching his companion in an +intent fashion. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth hesitated. +</p> +<p>“Then, considering everything, mightn’t it be better +to waste no time, and push straight on?” +</p> +<p>“And leave the work that brought me here—I believe +that brought us both here—undone?” +</p> +<p>“You’ll forgive me if I don’t express myself very +fortunately. What I feel is this—Gladwyne’s story +is a tragic one, but it’s twelve months old. In a way, +it’s forgotten; the wounds it made have healed.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p> +<p>“Is such a man as the one you have described forgotten +in a year?” Lisle asked with a hardening expression. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth, being a man of simple and, for the most +part, wholesome ideas, was in a quandary. His feelings +were generous, but he shrank from putting them into +words. Moreover he was just and was not wholly convinced +that the course he wished to recommend was +right. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he contended, “there are faithful hearts +that never quite forget—with them the scar remains; +but it’s fortunate that the first keen pain does not last. +Is it decent—I almost think that’s the right word—to +reopen the wound?” +</p> +<p>He paused and spread out one hand as if in expostulation. +</p> +<p>“Your late comrade has gone beyond your help; you +told me he had left no relatives; and you have only +yourself to consider. Can you do any good by bringing +this sorrowful tale of disaster up again?” +</p> +<p>“Are you pleading for your English friends, anxious +to save them pain at my expense? Can’t you +understand my longing to clear my dead partner’s +name?” +</p> +<p>A trace of color crept into Nasmyth’s face. +</p> +<p>“I suppose I deserve that, though it wasn’t quite +the only thing I meant. I’ve an idea that you are +somehow going to lay up trouble for yourself by persevering +in this search.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to be offensive; but can’t you see that +by urging me to let the thing drop you are casting +grave doubts upon the honor of a man of your own +caste and kind, one with whom you are closely acquainted? +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +Are you afraid to investigate, to look for +proofs of Clarence Gladwyne’s story?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked him steadily in the eyes. +</p> +<p>“For the sake of one or two others, I think I am. +Your belief in the guide, Vernon, has had its effect +on me.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” said Lisle, “I have no fear of putting my +belief to the test; I came up here for that purpose, and +I mean to call upon you as my witness. As you said +of George Gladwyne, the man I owe so much to never +did a shabby thing. That he should have deserted a +starving comrade is clean impossible!” +</p> +<p>“I suppose there’s no help for it,” responded Nasmyth, +with a gesture of acquiescence. “We have said +enough. Since you insist, I’ll stand by my promise.” +</p> +<p>The thudding of the ax ceased, and they heard Jake +returning with the wood. Lisle set out the simple +breakfast, and when they had eaten they launched the +canoe and floated swiftly down the smooth green river +all that day. They had accomplished the worst half +of the journey; henceforward their way lay down-stream, +and with moderate good fortune they need +have no apprehension about safely reaching the settlements, +but they were both silent and ill at ease. Lisle +was consumed with fierce impatience; and Nasmyth +shrank from what might shortly be revealed to him. +Scarcely a word was spoken when they lay in camp +that night. +</p> +<p>The next day they came to the head of a long and +furiously-running rapid. Rocks encumbered its channel; +the stream boiled fiercely over sunken ledges, dropping +several feet here and there in angry falls; and +in one place, where the banks narrowed in, a white +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +stretch of foaming waves ran straight down the middle. +Here they unloaded and spent the day laboriously +relaying their stores and camp-gear over the +boulders and ragged ledges between a wall of rock and +the water. It was a remarkably difficult traverse. In +places they had to hoist the leader up to some slippery +shelf he could not reach unassisted and to which +he dragged his companions up in turn; in others deep +pools barred their way, and in skirting them they +were forced to cling to any indifferent handhold on the +rock’s fissured side. As they toiled on, badly hampered +by their loads, the same thought was in the +minds of two of the men—a wonder as to how Gladwyne’s +exhausted party had crossed that portage, unless +the water had been lower. It was not difficult to +understand how the famishing leader had fallen and +lamed himself. +</p> +<p>When at last, toward the end of the afternoon, the +stores had been deposited on the banks of the pool +below, Lisle sat down and filled his pipe. +</p> +<p>“It would take us most of two days to portage the +canoe, and we might damage her badly in doing so,” +he said. “The head of the rapid’s impossible, but +with luck we might run her down the rest in about ten +minutes. The thing seems worth trying, though I +wouldn’t have risked it with the stores on board.” +</p> +<p>“Suppose you swamped or upset her?” Nasmyth +suggested. +</p> +<p>“It’s less likely, since she’d go light, with only two +of us paddling.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth considered. The sight of the rapid was +not encouraging, but he shrank from the intense effort +that would be needed to transport the craft by the way +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +they had come. Eventually it was decided to leave +Jake below, ready to swim out with the tracking-line +and seize the canoe if any mishap befell, and Lisle +and Nasmyth went back to the head of the rapid. +They dragged the canoe round the worst rush with +infinite difficulty; and then Nasmyth set his lips and +braced himself for the mad descent when his companion +thrust her off. +</p> +<p>A few strokes of the paddle drove them out into the +stream, and then their task consisted in holding her +straight and swinging her clear of the rocks that +showed up through the leaping foam, which was difficult +enough. Seen from the water, the prospect was +almost appalling, though it was blurred and momentarily +changing. Nasmyth’s eyes could hardly grasp +salient details—he had only a confused impression +of flying spray, rushing green water that piled itself +here and there in frothy ridges, flitting rocks, and +trees that came furiously speeding up toward him. +He had an idea that Lisle once or twice shouted sharp +instructions and that he clumsily obeyed, but he could +not have told exactly what he did. He only knew +that now and then he paddled desperately, but more +often he knelt still, gazing fascinated at the mad turmoil +in front of him. +</p> +<p>At last there was an urgent cry from Lisle and he +backed his paddle. The canoe swerved, a foaming +wave broke into her, and in another moment Nasmyth +was in the water. He was dragged down by the +swirling stream, and when he rose he dimly saw the +canoe a few yards in front of him. He failed to +reach her—she was traveling faster than he was—and, +though he could swim well, he grew horribly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +afraid. It struck him that there was a strong probability +of his being driven against a boulder with force +enough to break his bones or of being drawn down +and battered against the stony bottom. Still, he +struck out for a line of leaping froth between him +and the bank and was nearing it when Lisle grasped +his shoulder and thrust him straight down-stream. +Scarcely able to see amid the turmoil, confused and +bewildered, he nevertheless realized that it was not +desirable to attempt a landing where he had intended. +Yielding to the guiding impulse, he floundered down-stream, +until Lisle again seized him and drove him +shoreward, and a few moments later he stood up, +breathless, in a few feet of slacker water. He waded +to the bank, and then turned to Lisle, who was close +behind. +</p> +<p>“Thanks,” he gasped. “I owe you something for +that.” +</p> +<p>“Pshaw!” disclaimed the other. “I only pulled +you back. You’d have got badly hammered if you’d +tried to cross that ledge. I’d noticed the inshore swirl +close below it when we were packing along the bank, +and remembered that we could land in it.” +</p> +<p>“But you had hold of the canoe. I saw you close +beside her.” +</p> +<p>“I only wanted her to take me past the ledge,” Lisle +explained. “I’d no notion of going right through +with her. Now we’ll make for camp.” +</p> +<p>On arriving there as darkness closed down, they +found that Jake had recovered the craft. The paddles +had gone, but he could make another pair in an +hour or two. They had a few dry things to put on, +and as they lay beside the fire after supper they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +were sensible that the slight constraint both had felt +for the last two days had vanished. Neither would +have alluded to the feeling which had replaced it, +nor, indeed, could have clearly expressed his thoughts, +but mutual liking, respect and confidence had suddenly +changed to something stronger. During the few minutes +they spent in the water a bond, indefinite, indescribable, +but not to be broken, had been forged between +the two. +</p> +<p>The next morning it was clear and cold, and they +made good progress until they landed late in the afternoon. +Then, after scrambling some distance over +loose gravel, Lisle and Nasmyth stopped beside a +slight hollow in a wall of rock. A few large stones +had been rudely placed on one another to form a shelter; +there were still some small spruce branches, which +had evidently been used for a roof, scattered about; +and the remains of a torn and moldering blanket lay +near by. In another place was a holed frying-pan +and a battered kettle. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth gravely took off his shapeless hat, and +stood glancing about him with a fixed expression. +</p> +<p>“This,” he said quietly, “is where my friend died—as +you have heard, they afterward took his body +out. There are few men who could compare with +that one; I can’t forget him.” +</p> +<p>There was nothing to be done, and little that could +be said; and they turned away from the scene of the +tragedy, where a man, who to the last had thought +first of his companions, had met his lonely end. +Launching the canoe, they sped on down-river, making +a few easier portages, and four days later they +landed on the bank of a turbulent reach shut in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +by steep, stony slopes. There was a little brushwood +here and there, but not a tree of any kind. +</p> +<p>“It was on this beach that Gladwyne made one +cache,” said Lisle. “If there had been a cypress or +a cedar near, he’d have blazed a mark on it. As it +is, we’d better look for a heap of stones.” +</p> +<p>They searched for some time without finding anything, +for straight beach and straight river presented +no prominent feature which any one making a cache +would fix upon as guide. Lisle directed Nasmyth’s +attention to this. +</p> +<p>“There was deep snow when Vernon came down the +gorge, on this side,” he pointed out. “It doesn’t +follow that he was with the others when they +buried the stores—he might have been carrying up +a load—and it’s possible they couldn’t give him a +very exact description. If I’m right in this, he’d +have a long stretch of beach to search, and a man’s +senses aren’t as keen as usual when he’s badly played +out.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made no comment, but his expression suggested +that he would not be disappointed if they failed +to strike the cache. Shortly afterward, however, Jake +called out, and on joining him they saw a cross +scratched on a slab of slightly projecting rock. Even +with that to guide them, it was some time before they +came upon a few stones roughly piled together and +almost hidden in a bank of shingle. +</p> +<p>“First of all, I want you to notice that this gravel +has slipped down from the bluff after the cache was +made,” Lisle said to Nasmyth. “With snow on the +ground and the slab yonder covered, it would be almost +impossible to locate it.” He turned to Jake. “How +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +long would you say it was since the rain or frost +brought that small stuff down?” +</p> +<p>Jake glanced at the young brushwood growing +higher up the slope. It was shorter than that surrounding +it, and evidently covered the spot which the +mass of débris had laid bare in its descent. +</p> +<p>“Part of one summer and all the next,” he answered +decidedly. +</p> +<p>“Tell us how you figured it out.” +</p> +<p>Jake climbed the bank and returned with two or +three young branches which he handed to Lisle. +</p> +<p>“The thing’s plain enough to you.” He turned +toward Nasmyth. “No growth except in the summer—they’d +had a few warm months to start them, +but they don’t fork until the second year. See these +shoots?” +</p> +<p>“As winter was beginning when the Gladwyne party +came down, that small landslide must have taken place +some time before then,” declared Lisle. +</p> +<p>They set to work and carefully moved aside the +stones. First they uncovered three cans of preserved +meat, and then a small flour bag which had rotted +and now disclosed a hard and moldy mass inside. +There was also another bag which had evidently contained +sugar; and a few other things. All examined +them in silence, and then sat down grave in face. +</p> +<p>“It’s unfortunate that nobody could positively state +whether this cache has been opened or not since it was +made, but there are a few points to guide us,” said +Lisle. “Do you know what kind of food civilized +men who’ve been compelled to work to exhaustion on +insufficient rations, helped out by a little fish or game, +generally long for most?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span></p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth, with a feeble attempt at +levity. “I’ve now and then remembered with regret +the kind of dinner I used to get in England.” +</p> +<p>“You have scarcely felt the pinch,” Lisle informed +him. “The two things are farinaceous stuff +and sugar. No doubt, it will occur to you that Vernon +might have taken a can or two of meat; but that’s +not likely.” +</p> +<p>“If you’re right about the longing for flour and +sweet-stuff, it’s a strong point,” Nasmyth declared. +“Where did you learn the fact?” +</p> +<p>Lisle looked at Jake, and the packer smiled in a +significant manner. +</p> +<p>“He’s right,” he vouched. “We know.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” continued Lisle, indicating the sugar bag, +which had been wrapped in a waterproof sheet, “can +you imagine a starving man, in desperate haste, making +up this package as it was when we found it?” +</p> +<p>“No,” admitted Nasmyth; “it’s most improbable.” +</p> +<p>Somewhat to his astonishment, the usually taciturn +Jake broke in. +</p> +<p>“You’re wasting time! Vernon never struck this +cache—he told the folks at the post so. Worked +with him once trail-cutting—what that man said +goes!” +</p> +<p>“You never told me you knew Vernon!” exclaimed +Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Quite likely,” Jake drawled. “It didn’t seem +any use till now.” +</p> +<p>For the first time since they landed, Nasmyth +laughed—he felt that something was needed to relieve +the tension. +</p> +<p>“If people never talked unless they had something +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +useful to say, there would be a marvelous change,” he +declared. +</p> +<p>Lisle disregarded this, but he was a little less grave +when he resumed: +</p> +<p>“There’s another point to bear in mind. Two of +Gladwyne’s party left him; and of those two which +would be the more likely to succumb to extreme exertion, +exposure, and insufficient food?” +</p> +<p>“Against the answer you expect, there’s the fact +that Vernon made the longer journey,” Nasmyth objected. +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t count for much. Was Clarence Gladwyne +accustomed to roughing it and going without +his dinner? Would you expect him to survive where +you would perish, even if you had a little more to +bear?” +</p> +<p>“No,” confessed Nasmyth; “he’s rather a self-indulgent +person.” +</p> +<p>“Then, for example, could you march through a +rough, snow-covered country on as little food as I +could?” +</p> +<p>“No, again,” answered Nasmyth. “You would +probably hold out two or three days longer than I +could.” +</p> +<p>“Vernon was a stronger and tougher man than I +am,” Lisle went on. “Now, without finding definite +proof, which I hardly expected, there is, I think, +strong presumptive evidence that Vernon’s story is +correct.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Nasmyth, and added gravely: +“Will you ever find the proof?” +</p> +<p>“I think there’s a way—it may be difficult; but +I’m going right through with this.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span></p> +<p>“What’s your next move?” +</p> +<p>“I’ve willingly laid my partner’s story open to the +only tests we can impose. Now I’m going to do the +same with Clarence Gladwyne’s.” +</p> +<p>Nothing more was said, and turning away from the +cache, they went back to the canoe. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_A_PAINFUL_DECISION' id='IV_A_PAINFUL_DECISION'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>A PAINFUL DECISION</h3> +</div> + +<p>Two days passed uneventfully, though Nasmyth +was conscious of a growing uneasiness during +them; and then one evening they landed to +search another beach. They had less difficulty here, +for small cedars and birches crept down to the waterside +and Jake found an ax-blaze on one. After that, +it was easy to locate the cache, and there were signs +that it had been either very roughly made, or afterward +opened and reclosed in careless haste. Lisle +had no hesitation in deciding upon the latter, and +Jake was emphatic in his brief assurance on the point. +</p> +<p>On removing the covering stones, they found very +little beneath them, but every object was taken out +and Lisle, measuring quantities and guessing weights, +carefully enumerated each in his notebook. Neither +he nor Nasmyth said anything of import then; both +felt that the subject was too grave to be lightly discussed; +and walking back silently along the shingle, +they pitched the tent and prepared supper. After the +meal, Jake, prompted by an innate tact, sauntered +away down the beach, and the other two, lounging beside +the fire, took out their pipes. A full moon hung +above the lonely gorge, which was filled with the roar +of the river, and the shadows of the cedars lay black +upon the stones. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></p> +<p>Some minutes passed before a word was spoken; +and then Nasmyth looked up. +</p> +<p>“Well?” he said briefly. +</p> +<p>Lisle moved a little, so that he could see his companion’s +face. +</p> +<p>“In the first place,” he explained, “Clarence Gladwyne +came down this bank. One could locate the +cache by the blazed tree, even with snow upon +the ground—and it has been opened. Apart from the +signs of this, no party of three men would have +thought it worth while to make a cache of the few +things we found.” +</p> +<p>“Mightn’t it have been opened by some Indian?” +</p> +<p>“It’s most unlikely, because he would have cleaned +it out. A white prospector would certainly have taken +the tobacco.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth knit his brows. He was deeply troubled, +because there were respects in which the matter would +hardly bear discussion, though he recognized that it +must now be thrashed out. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he admitted reluctantly, “what we have +discovered has its significance; but it isn’t conclusive.” +</p> +<p>His companion took out from a pocket the palm +and wrist portion of a fur glove. It was badly rotted, +and the rest had either fallen away or been gnawed +by some animal, but a button with a stamp on it remained. +</p> +<p>“Jake found that and gave it to me,” he said. +“There’s enough left to show that it had finger-stalls, +and there are none on the mittens we use in cold +weather. The thing’s English, and with a little rubbing +I expect you’ll find the maker’s name on that button. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +When the party went up it was warm weather, +but we know there was sharp frost when Gladwyne +came back. A buttoned glove doesn’t drop off one’s +hand, and even if it had done so Gladwyne would have +noticed and picked it up. It seems to me he took it +off to open one of the provision bags and couldn’t +find it afterward because he’d trodden it into the +snow.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth could doubt no longer, and his face grew +red. +</p> +<p>“The hound!” he broke out. “He had a hand +frost-bitten—one finger is different from the others +yet.” +</p> +<p>Lisle said nothing; he could understand and sympathize +with what was going on in his companion’s +mind and the latter was filled with bitterness and +humiliation. A man of his own kind and station in +life, one with whom he fished and shot, had broken +faith with his starving comrade and with incredible +cowardice had left him to perish. Even this was not +the worst; though Nasmyth had always taken the personal +courage of his friends for granted. He was +not a clever man and he had his faults, but he shaped +his life in accordance with a few simple but inflexible +rules. It was difficult for him to understand how +one could yield to a fit of craven fear; but there was +a fact which made Gladwyne’s transgression still +blacker. +</p> +<p>“This thing hits hard,” he said at length. “The +man should have gone back, if he had known it meant +certain death.” +</p> +<p>Lisle filled his pipe and smoked in silence for several +minutes during which the eery cry of a loon rang +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +about the camp. It roused Nasmyth to an outbreak +of anger. +</p> +<p>“I hate that unearthly noise!” he exclaimed vehemently. +“The thing seems to be gloating; it’s indecent! +When I think of that call it will bring back +the long portage and this ghostly river! I wish I’d +never made the journey, or that I could blot the whole +thing out!” +</p> +<p>“It can’t be done,” Lisle replied. “It’s too late. +You have learned the truth of what has been done +here—but the results will work themselves out. +Neither you nor I can stop them; they have to be +faced.” +</p> +<p>“The pity of it is that the innocent must suffer; +they’ve borne enough already.” +</p> +<p>“There’s a point I don’t quite understand,” declared +Lisle. “Whatever the Hudson Bay agent +thought, he’d have kept it to himself if he’d been allowed—I’ve +met him. It was Gladwyne who laid the +whole blame on Vernon; he forced the agent to bear +him out. Why should he have taken so much trouble? +His own tale would have cleared him.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked irresolute; and then he answered +reluctantly: +</p> +<p>“There’s a fact I haven’t told you yet—Clarence +came into the family property on George’s death; +a fine old place, a fairly large estate. The sister +doesn’t count, though she got her brother’s personal +property—the land goes down in the male line.” +</p> +<p>Lisle dropped his pipe. +</p> +<p>“Now I understand! Gladwyne profits, my dead +partner bore the shame. But do you believe the man +meant to let his cousin die?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></p> +<p>“No,” Nasmyth answered sharply, “that’s unthinkable! +But I blame him almost as much as if he +had done so. Besides his duty to George, he had a +duty to himself and to the family—the honorable +men and women who had kept the name clean before +him. Knowing he would inherit on George’s death, +there was only one way open—he should have gone +back, at any cost. Instead, to clear himself of the +faintest trace of ugly suspicion, he lays the blame +upon an innocent man.” +</p> +<p>Lisle did not reply to this. He felt that had the +grim choice been imposed upon his companion, the +man would have taken the course he had indicated. +</p> +<p>“You said that George Gladwyne was a naturalist,” +he remarked. “Was he a methodical man?” +</p> +<p>“Eminently so,” replied Nasmyth, wondering where +the question led. He had already been astonished at +Lisle’s close reasoning and the correctness of his deductions. +</p> +<p>“Then he would have made notes on his journey +and no doubt have kept some kind of diary. Did the +rescue party recover it?” +</p> +<p>“They did. It was given to George’s sister.” +</p> +<p>“Damaged by snow or water, badly tattered?” +</p> +<p>“It was,” assented Nasmyth. “I’ve had the book +in my hands. I suppose it’s natural that you should +guess its condition, but I don’t see what it points to.” +</p> +<p>Lisle smiled grimly. +</p> +<p>“One wouldn’t be astonished to find some leaves +missing from a tattered book.” +</p> +<p>“You’re right again.” Nasmyth started. “Several +had gone.” +</p> +<p>“I think I can tell which part of the journey they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +related to. A methodical man would make a note of +the stores cached, and the lists would be conclusive +evidence if anybody afterward opened the caches and +enumerated their contents, as we have done. If +everything put into the one on the bank Vernon followed +remained there, it would prove that he couldn’t +have found it. On the other hand, if the one on +Gladwyne’s side of the river—” +</p> +<p>“Of course!” Nasmyth broke in. “You needn’t +labor the point; it’s plain enough.” He stopped for +a few moments before he went on again. “I’m convinced; +but without that list of Gladwyne’s you still +haven’t proof enough to place your account of the +affair beyond dispute. What are you going to do?” +</p> +<p>“I’m going to England—it’s my father’s country, +and I meant to visit it some day. Whether I shall find +out anything more there or not I don’t know.” +</p> +<p>“Then you must stay with me. That’s a point I +insist upon. But I must make my situation clear—though +I’ve been drawn into this matter against my +will, you have my promise, and if ever the time for +action comes, I’ll stand by you. But I’ll take no part +in trapping Clarence Gladwyne into any admission, +nor will I countenance any charge against him unless +some chance supplies you with indisputable evidence.” +</p> +<p>“Thanks,” said Lisle; “I’m agreeable. You stand +neutral until I call on you.” +</p> +<p>“There are two more questions, and then we’ll let +the subject drop. Why didn’t you make this search +earlier? Why didn’t Gladwyne rearrange the caches +afterward? He went back, you know.” +</p> +<p>“They’re easily answered. It was some time before +I heard of Vernon’s death and met the Hudson Bay +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +man in Victoria—I’d been away in the North. Gladwyne +had the rescue party with him when he went back; +he couldn’t replace the provisions in the cache on this +side without their knowing it, and I don’t suppose he +could have crossed the river to the other cache. Now +we’ll talk of something else.” +</p> +<p>They started again the next morning, and instead +of leaving the river for the Hudson Bay post, which +stood farther back into the wilderness, they held on +down-stream, though they afterward regretted this +when their provisions once more grew scanty. There +was now sharp frost at nights; fangs of ice stretched +out behind the boulders and crackling sheets of it +gathered in the slacker eddies along the bank. What +mattered more was that the portages were frequent, +and carrying the canoe over rock coated with frozen +spray became dangerous as well as difficult, and Nasmyth +working on short rations began to feel the +strain. It was only since he had entered that inhospitable +region that he had ever been compelled to go +without his dinner; and now breakfast and supper +were sternly curtailed. When they were stopped for +two days by a blinding snowstorm he grew anxious, +and his uneasiness had increased when some time afterward +they made their evening meal of a single flapjack +each. He could readily have eaten a dozen of +the thin, flat cakes. The duck they had shot every +now and then since crossing the divide had gone; they +had not seen a trout since the cold set in; and there +did not appear to be any salmon in the river. +</p> +<p>After breakfast the next morning, Lisle concluded +that it would be wise to risk a day looking for a deer, +so he invited Nasmyth to take his rifle and the two +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +set out. It cost them some trouble to climb the low +bluff above the river through a horrible tangle of +fallen trunks. The trees were getting larger and the +branches of those the wind had brought down lay +spread about them or were resting on the standing +growth in networks which Nasmyth would have +thought it impossible to traverse had he been alone. +Lisle scrambled through, however, and he had no +choice except to follow. Where the timber was thinner, +the slope was covered with sharp-edged stones +which further damaged his already dilapidated boots; +and when at last they came out upon a comparatively +bare, rocky tableland, a bitter wind met them in the +teeth. It drove a little fine snow before it, but Lisle +plodded steadily on, explaining that any deer which +might be in the neighborhood would have gone down +into the sheltered valleys. He had no doubt they +would find one of the valleys, for they were generally +numerous. +</p> +<p>It was an hour before they reached one, and Nasmyth +was conscious of an unpleasant pain in his side +and a headache which he supposed resulted from want +of food. For all that, he scrambled after his companion +down an almost impossible descent, where +trees of increasing size grew up among outcropping +rock and banks of stones. When he reached the bottom +he found himself in a deep rift filled with densely-matted +underbrush, through which a swift stream +flowed. Its banks promised a slightly easier road, +though now and then they had to wade through the +water, which was icy cold. Noon came and they had +seen no sign of life, except two or three willow-grouse +which they failed to dislodge from cover; but Lisle +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +held on, his course running roughly in a line with the +river. +</p> +<p>It was toward three o’clock, and a little snow was +sifting down between the somber branches overhead, +when Lisle, stopping, raised a warning hand and +pointed to an opening in the trees. The light was +dim among the rows of trunks, and for a few seconds +Nasmyth gazed down the long colonnade, seeing +nothing. Then Lisle pointed again, impatiently, and +he made out something between a gray trunk and a +thicket. Sportsman as he was, he had not the bush-man’s +eye, and he would never have supposed that +formless object to be a deer. It moved, however; a +prong of horn appeared; and waiting for nothing +further he pitched up his rifle. +</p> +<p>It was a long shot, standing; he guessed the range +in a deceptive light; but he found himself strangely +steady as he squeezed the trigger. He was desperately +hungry and weak from want of food; the deer +must not escape. Yet he was in no rash haste; for +two or three seconds the tiny foresight trembled +slightly upon the mark, while the pressure on the +trigger increased. Then there was a flash; he heard +no report but the smoke blew into his eyes. Almost +simultaneously, a train of red sparks leaped out from +somewhere close at his side and there was a sharp +snapping in the bush ahead. +</p> +<p>“You got your shot in!” cried Lisle. “I think I +missed him on the jump. Come on; we must pick up +the trail!” +</p> +<p>It was easy to find; the deer had been too badly +hit to bound across each obstacle as cleanly as usual, +and broken twigs and scattering withered leaves +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +showed which way it had gone. Besides, there were +red splashes here and there. It was, however, a difficult +matter to follow the trail. Fallen trees and +dense thickets barred the way, and they had to cross +the creek every now and then. Nasmyth rapidly got +breathless and before long he was badly distressed, +but he held on behind his companion. Once or twice he +was held fast for a moment or two, and breaking free, +found he had badly ripped his garments on the ragged +branches. Still, it was unthinkable that they should +let the deer escape. +</p> +<p>As he struggled forward, he remembered that the +days were rapidly shortening, and he shrank from the +prospect of retracing his way to camp in the dark. +It occurred to him that it was a compliment and a +mark of very fine courtesy that Lisle had left the +first shot to him. In return for this, he must endeavor +to be present to assist when he was wanted. +</p> +<p>The deer was still invisible, but it was not very far +ahead, for at times the snapping of a stick or a rustle +of disturbed underbrush came sharply out of the +woods. The light was getting dimmer and the snow +was falling more thickly. +</p> +<p>At last the hunted creature left the valley and after +a desperate scramble the men reached the summit of +the ridge above. Here the tableland between them +and the river was covered with straggling bush, and +though the undergrowth was thin they could see +nothing but the long rows of shadowy trunks. Lisle, +however, picked up the trail, and they followed it as +rapidly as possible until, when Nasmyth was lagging +some distance behind, there was a shout in front of +him and his companion’s rifle flashed. Making a last +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +effort, he broke into a run and presently came to the +brink of a steep descent covered with thick brush and +scattered trees, with a wide reach of palely gleaming +water at the foot of it. It was the kind of place +one would have preferred to climb down cautiously, +but there was a sharp snapping and crackling below +and Nasmyth knew that a hard-pressed deer will +frequently take to the water. If it crossed the +river, it would escape; and that could not be contemplated. +</p> +<p>Holding his rifle up, he plunged madly down the +descent, smashing through matted bushes, stumbling +over slippery stones. Once or twice he collided with +a slender tree and struck his leg against some ridge +of rock; but he held on, gasping, and the water +rapidly grew nearer. He had almost reached it when +a dim shape broke out from a thicket at the bottom +of the slope. There were still some cartridges in his +rifle cylinder, but he was slipping and sliding down +an almost precipitous declivity at such a rate that it +was impossible to stop and shoot. Indeed, in another +moment he fell violently into a brake and had some +difficulty in smashing through it, but when he +struggled free he saw shingle and boulders in front of +him and Lisle bounding across them a few yards behind +the deer. He reached the stones, wondering why +Lisle did not fire; and then he saw man and deer +plunge into the water together. +</p> +<p>A few seconds later he was waist-deep in the swift +icy current, savagely endeavoring to drag the animal +toward the bank, while Lisle stood near him, breathing +hard, with a red hunting-knife in his hand. +</p> +<p>“Steady!” gasped Lisle. “You can’t do it that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +way! Help me throw the beast on his side. Now +heave!” +</p> +<p>They got the deer out, and Nasmyth sat down +limply. All the power seemed to have gone out of +him; he did not want to move, though he was filled +with exultation, for they now had food. It was a +minute or two before he noticed that Lisle had left +him; and then he saw him coming back with his rifle. +</p> +<p>“I dropped the thing,” Lisle explained. “Couldn’t +snap a fresh shell in; guess I bent the slide. I took +the knife to finish it.” +</p> +<p>“In another moment or two you’d have been too +late.” +</p> +<p>Lisle laughed. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know. It wouldn’t have been decided until +we’d reached the other side.” +</p> +<p>“You would have swum across?” Nasmyth asked +in astonishment. +</p> +<p>“Sure,” said Lisle simply. “Anyway, I’d have +tried.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at the river. It was broad, icy +cold, and running fast, and he could hardly imagine +a worn-out and half-fed man safely swimming it. +Lisle, however, called upon him to assist in an unpleasant +operation which, when Nasmyth had killed a +deer at home, had been judiciously left to the keepers +or gillies. After that, he was directed to light a fire +on a neighboring point, from which it could be seen +some way up the river, and by and by Jake arrived +in the canoe. Then they made camp, and after a +feast on flesh so tough that only hungry men could +have eaten more than a few morsels of it they went to +sleep. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V_MILLICENT_GLADWYNE' id='V_MILLICENT_GLADWYNE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>MILLICENT GLADWYNE</h3> +</div> + +<p>In a few more days they left the river, abandoning +the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear. +Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged +waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; +but there was keen frost, and snow in places, +and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion +of the journey. At last, however, they descended to +a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake +agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road +to the settlements. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay +awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, +beside the sinking fire. Dark columnar trunks rose +about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance +now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter +wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy +wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches. He was +cold and overtired; the day’s march had been a long +one; his shoulders ached cruelly after carrying a +heavy load, and every joint was sore. Besides, his +bed was unpleasantly hard, and he envied his companions, +who had long ago sunk into heavy slumber. +For the last hour he had been thinking over the discoveries +he had made on the journey, which he devoutly +wished he had never undertaken; the thought +of them had troubled him on other bitter nights. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +Lisle was not the man to let the matter drop; he was +much more likely to follow it up with dogged persistence +to the end; and Nasmyth, who was to some +extent pledged to assist him, saw trouble ahead. +</p> +<p>In spite of this, he was beginning to get drowsy +when a faint and yet strangely melodious chiming +broke through the whispering of the firs. It seemed +to come from above him, falling through the air, and +he roused himself to listen, wondering if he were quite +awake. The musical clash he had first heard had +ceased, but for a while he thought he could distinguish +the tolling of a single bell; then in varying +notes the peal broke out again. +</p> +<p>There was something ethereal in the clear tones. +The last time he had heard anything like them he was +sitting one Sunday morning on a shady lawn while +the call of the bells came softly up to him across the +English woods. He glanced at his comrades, but +they showed no sign of hearing, and raising himself +on one elbow he lay and listened, until the music, +growing fainter and fainter, died away. Then, puzzled +and half convinced that his imagination had +played him some fantastic trick, he went to sleep. +</p> +<p>He mentioned the occurrence diffidently at breakfast +the next morning, expecting incredulous laughter; +but Lisle, without making a comment, glanced at +Jake questioningly. +</p> +<p>“No,” responded Jake. “Nothing to bring them +up so far.” +</p> +<p>“You couldn’t have been mistaken?” Lisle asked +Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>“I thought I must be; but the more I listened, the +clearer it got.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span></p> +<p>“Go and see,” Lisle said, addressing Jake, and when +they had finished breakfast the packer strode away. +</p> +<p>“We’ll wait a bit,” advised Lisle. “I’m a little +worried about provisions again. It’s still a long +march to the nearest wagon trail.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth failed to understand how the delay would +improve their position, but believing that his companion +was somewhat dubious about his tale he restrained +his curiosity. In half an hour Jake came +back and nodded to Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Quite a bunch of them,” he reported. “I struck +the fellow’s trail.” +</p> +<p>“What was it I heard?” Nasmyth asked. +</p> +<p>“Cow-bells,” Lisle explained, laughing. “In this +country, they generally put them on any cattle that +run loose in the timber. Some adventurous rancher +has located up here, though I hadn’t expected to find +one so far north. Anyway, it’s a relief; he’ll no +doubt be able to let us have something to eat.” +</p> +<p>They reached the man’s log house an hour later, +and spent the day with him, enjoying a much needed +rest. The next morning he supplied them with provisions +and told them how to find a trail down to a +wagon road; and, setting out, they safely reached +a settlement in regular communication with the cities. +</p> +<p>It was the settlement Lisle had expected to come +to, and he found a bundle of correspondence awaiting +him there. Before he opened it, however, he and +Nasmyth supplied themselves with such clothing as +they could obtain at the local store, and then demanded +a bath at the little wooden hotel. They had some +trouble in obtaining it, but Nasmyth was firm, and +eventually he sat down to supper, clad in a blue shirt +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +with scarlet trimmings, extremely tight-fitting clothes +and daintily-pointed shoes. +</p> +<p>“I think I’d have done better if I’d stuck to my +rags, or else bought a pair of what that fellow called +river-Jacks’ boots,” he commented ruefully. +</p> +<p>Lisle was similarly attired, but he was too busy with +his meal to sympathize with him, and some time after +it was over Nasmyth, strolling into the private room +which they had obtained as a signal concession, found +him writing at a littered table. Sitting down, he +watched him for a while with some slight wonder. +For a number of weeks, he had seen his companion +handling heavy loads, cooking, and hauling canoes +round rapids with the skill of a professional packer. +It was hard to disassociate him from the ranges and +the bush; but now, with the pile of letters before him, +he had suddenly become a business man. Nasmyth +saw him answer a couple in a swift, decided manner +which showed that he was at home in his present occupation. +It was one of the quick character-changes +which, while common in the West, are apt to bewilder +the more stereotyped Englishman. +</p> +<p>“Are you coming to England with me?” Nasmyth +asked at length. +</p> +<p>“No; I’m sorry I can’t,” answered Lisle, pausing, +pen in hand. “This Gladwyne matter will probably +take time and I have none to spare now. There have +been some unexpected developments in my affairs. I +don’t know when I can get away.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth was conscious of some relief. His companion +would have to defer the prosecution of plans +that threatened to cause trouble in England, which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +was something to be thankful for, though he had a +strong sympathy for the man. +</p> +<p>“Has it ever struck you that you might have less +difficulty if you could be content with proving half of +what you claim?” he asked. “It’s the more important +part—I mean that your late comrade failed to find +the cache.” +</p> +<p>“Half a truth is not much use—Gladwyne realized +that. To declare you haven’t done the wrong is a +good deal less effective than pointing to the guilty +man.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose that’s correct,” Nasmyth agreed. +“But, after all, unless you can get hold of a list of +the provisions cached—and it has most likely been +destroyed—there’s only one way of substantiating +your views.” +</p> +<p>“Exactly. Gladwyne’s confession will place the +matter beyond all doubt.” +</p> +<p>“Do you think you will ever get it?” +</p> +<p>Lisle’s expression hardened. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I’m going to try.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth abandoned all attempt to daunt or dissuade +him. +</p> +<p>“Anyway,” he resumed, “when you come over you +must stay with me. I’m sorry we’ll have to part company +to-morrow. I start east by the first train.” +</p> +<p>He strolled out into the moonlight and the keen +frosty air. The little wooden town was soon left +behind, and sauntering down the rough wagon road +beneath towering firs, he saw the great hill summits +glitter white against the sky. It was a wonderful +country; the grandest he had ever traversed; but it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +demanded a good deal from the man who ventured +into its wilds, and he was not sorry that he was turning +his back on it. +</p> +<p>Then, as he thought of the land he was bound for +and recalled the tragic story of Gladwyne’s journey, +he once more grew troubled. He realized the immutable +sequence of cause and effect—each action had +its result which must be faced however much one repented +and regretted it. The deed, once done, could +not be altered and, what was worse, its consequences +reached out to others. Then he wondered whether +Clarence had ever repented, and admitted, with a recurrence +of his indignation against the man, that it +was far from probable. Clarence was one who took +life lightly, and although his means had been small +until he came into his cousin’s possessions, he had somehow +succeeded in getting what is often considered the +best out of it. Self-denial in any shape was unknown +to him. +</p> +<p>The next morning Nasmyth took the train for Montreal, +and about a fortnight later alighted at a little +station in the north of England as the early dusk +was closing in. It was a quiet evening and the soft +moistness of his native air struck him as something +pleasantly familiar after the keener, drier atmosphere +of the Dominion. He was glad to be back again, but +when he looked around, the trap waiting in the wet +road outside the railings was not his own. Neither +did it belong to Clarence, whom he had partly expected; +but on the whole Nasmyth was glad of that. +He had not looked forward to the first meeting with +Clarence with any pleasure. +</p> +<p>In another moment, a girl came along the platform +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +through the groups of local passengers, who respectfully +made way for her. She was tall, and her long +outer garment failed to conceal her grace of movement +and fine poise, though in the fading light her +face was almost invisible beneath a large hat. The +sight of her sent a thrill of satisfaction through the +man; it was seldom that Millicent Gladwyne’s appearance +was unwelcome to her friends. She approached +him with outstretched hand. +</p> +<p>“I drove over for you. Clarence couldn’t come; +he was suddenly called up to town,” she began. “It +would have been rather lonely for you to spend the +first evening by yourself at the Lodge. You will +come to us?” +</p> +<p>“Thoughtful as ever,” smiled Nasmyth, with a little +bow which was respectful as well as friendly. “I +needn’t ask how you are; the way you walked along the +platform was a testimony to our Border air.” +</p> +<p>She laughed, softly and musically. +</p> +<p>“It is more needful to inquire how you have stood +your adventures?” +</p> +<p>“I believe I’m thinner; but that isn’t astonishing, +everything considered. I suppose Clarence is getting +on pretty satisfactorily?” +</p> +<p>“Clarence? Oh, yes!” There was a hint of uncertainty +in her voice which Nasmyth noticed. “He +has been in town a good deal of late. But come +along; the horse—he’s a new one—is rather restive. +They’ll send on your things.” +</p> +<p>“The remnant of my outfit’s contained in one small +bag,” laughed Nasmyth; “the rest’s scattered about +the hillsides of British Columbia. I was a picturesque +scarecrow when I reached the settlements.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p> +<p>They moved away along the platform, and on +reaching the trap he got up beside her and handed her +the reins. +</p> +<p>“I want to look about, if you don’t mind,” he explained. +</p> +<p>“I really think the prospect’s worth it,” she replied. +“Besides, Riever’s fresh and needs humoring.” +</p> +<p>She shook the whip, and as they clattered away down +the steep, twisting road, Nasmyth glanced with satisfaction +to left and right. He had seen wilder and +grander lands, but none of them appealed to him like +this high, English waste. On one hand dim black +hills rose out of fleecy mist; on the other a leafless +birch wood, close by, stood out in curiously fragile and +delicate tracery against a paling saffron glow, though +overhead the sky was barred with motionless gray +cloud. A sharp smell of peat-smoke followed them as +they clattered past a low white cottage with a yellow +glow in one window; and then the earthy scent of rotting +leaves replaced it as they plunged into the gloom +of an oak wood beneath the birches. A stream splashing +down a hollow made faint music in the midst of it. +When they had emerged from the shadow and climbed +a steep rise, wide moors stretched away in front, rising +and falling in long undulations, streaked with belts of +mist. The crying of restless plovers came out of the +gathering dimness. +</p> +<p>“All this is remarkably nice; though I don’t think +I should have appreciated it quite so much if I’d been +alone,” Nasmyth said at length. +</p> +<p>Millicent laughed lightly. She had known him since +her childhood and was quite aware that he had not intended +to pay her a labored compliment; they were too +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +good friends for that. Once, indeed, he had desired +a closer bond, but he had quietly acquiesced when with +gentle firmness she had made it clear that she was not +for him. Submission had not been easy, but he had +long admitted her right to more than he could offer. +In this, however, he was to some extent mistaken, because +the gifts he could bring—a staunch honesty, +faithfulness, and a genial nature—are not to be despised. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she replied, “I love these moors and dales, +as of course you know, and I’ve become more of a stay-at-home +than ever during the past year.” There was +a slight regretfulness in her voice which had its meaning +for him. “I’m never satisfied with the drawings,” +she went on, “though I’ve made so many of +them.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a sign of comprehension. She had +undertaken to finish and illustrate her brother’s +roughed-out work, a book on the fauna of the Border, +and she had brought to it a fine artistic skill and +patience, as well as a love of the wild creatures of the +waste. It was, perhaps, a curious occupation for a +young woman, but she had devoted herself to it with +characteristic thoroughness. +</p> +<p>“He wanted it to be as complete and accurate as +possible,” she added simply. +</p> +<p>Her companion felt compassionate. In some respects, +it was almost a pity that Millicent could not +forget. +</p> +<p>“You got my letter—the one in which I said +I meant to pick up and follow out his trail?” he +asked. +</p> +<p>“Yes. I knew it would be difficult. Indeed, I was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +anxious about you; the wilderness has claimed so much +from me. But did you—” +</p> +<p>“I succeeded,” Nasmyth answered quietly. +</p> +<p>The nod she gave him was expressive. It meant +that she had expected him to succeed; he was a man +who did what he said. +</p> +<p>“I think George should never have made that journey,” +she resumed. “Fond of the open as he was, +he hadn’t the physical stamina. He never spared himself; +he was apt to overestimate his powers.” +</p> +<p>It was spoken with a grave regretfulness that troubled +Nasmyth and yet stirred him to strong appreciation +of her character. With all her love for her +brother, she could face the truth. +</p> +<p>“I’ve learned that he bore everything with the fortitude +one would expect from him—doing his share +always with the rest,” Nasmyth said. “We got +through a little earlier, and had better weather; but I +saw enough to convince me that the difficulties George +had to contend with would have killed any ordinary +man.” +</p> +<p>“They did not kill Clarence.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth once more burned with anger against the +transgressor. +</p> +<p>“No,” he replied in a strained tone; “Clarence escaped.” +</p> +<p>She flashed a sharp glance at him, and he felt glad +that it was too dark for her to see his face. +</p> +<p>“You must tell me the whole story to-night,” she +requested. +</p> +<p>Her companion made no answer. With the reserve +that must be maintained on several points, the story +would be difficult to relate; and it could not fail to be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +painful to her. The horror she would feel if she ever +learned that her brother might have been saved had his +cousin shown more resolution was a thing he dare not +contemplate, and he wondered if the shock the knowledge +must bring could be spared her. This depended +upon Lisle, whom he had promised to assist. Nasmyth +could foresee nothing but trouble, and he was +silent for a while as they drove on across the lonely +moor. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_NASMYTH_TELLS_HIS_STORY' id='VI_NASMYTH_TELLS_HIS_STORY'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>NASMYTH TELLS HIS STORY</h3> +</div> + +<p>Dinner was over, and Millicent’s elderly companion +had discreetly left them alone, when the +girl led Nasmyth into her drawing-room. It +was brightly lighted and was tastefully decorated in +delicate colors, and a wood fire was burning on the +hearth; but, for the first time that he could remember, +Nasmyth felt ill at ease in it. He was fresh from the +snow-covered rocks and shadowy woods and the refinement +and artistic luxury of his surroundings rather +jarred on him. The story he had to relate dealt with +elemental things—hunger, toil, and death—it would +sound harsher and more ugly amid the evidences of +civilization. +</p> +<p>“You have a good deal to tell me,” Millicent suggested +at length. +</p> +<p>He stood still a moment, looking at her. She had +already seated herself, and the sweeping lines of her +pose suggested vigor and energy held in quiet control. +Her face was warm in coloring, bearing signs +of exposure to wind and sun, but it was chastely molded +in a fine oval with the features firmly lined. Her hair +was dark, though there were bronzy gleams in it, and +her eyes, which were deeply brown, had a sparkle in +them. As a whole, her appearance indicated a sanguine, +optimistic temperament, but there was also an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +indefinite something which spoke of due balance and +repose. Nasmyth was more convinced than ever that +he had not met any other woman fit to compare with +her. Her age, as he knew, having given her many +birthday presents, was twenty-four. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he said, in answer to her remark, “but it’s +curious that I can’t fix my mind upon the subject here. +The night’s mild; shall we go out on to the veranda?” +</p> +<p>“Wait until I get a wrap. I understand.” +</p> +<p>“You always do that,” Nasmyth declared. +</p> +<p>She joined him outside in another minute and seated +herself in the chair he drew out. The house was small +and irregularly built, and a glass roof supported on +light pillars stretched along part of the front. A +half-moon hung above a ridge of dark fir wood, a tarn +gleamed below, and here and there down a shadowy hollow +there was a sparkle of running water. On the +other side of the dale the moors stretched away, waste +and empty, toward the half-seen hills. The loneliness +of the prospect reminded Nasmyth of Canada, +and the resemblance grew more marked when the crying +of plover rose from the dim heath—it brought +back the call of the loon. Still, he did not wonder +why Millicent, an orphan with ample means, lived alone +except for her elderly companion on the desolate Border. +</p> +<p>“You don’t mind, I know,” he said as he lighted a +cigar. +</p> +<p>“I can make that concession willingly,” she answered +with a smile. “I suppose I’m old-fashioned, +because I go no farther.” +</p> +<p>“Keep so,” advised Nasmyth. “Of course, that’s +unnecessary; but I never could make out why women +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +should want to smoke. From my point of view, it +isn’t becoming.” +</p> +<p>He was putting off a task from which he shrank, and +she indulged him. +</p> +<p>“One retains one’s prejudices in a place like this,” +she said. “I felt sadly left behind when I was last in +London; and the few visits I made in the home counties +a little while ago astonished me. Nobody seemed +to stay at home; the motors were continually whirling +them up to town and back; the guests kept coming +and going. There was so much restlessness and bustle +that I was glad to be home again.” +</p> +<p>“It has struck me,” returned Nasmyth with an air +of sage reflection, “that we who live quietly in the +country are the pick of the lot. Sounds egotistical, +doesn’t it? But if we don’t do much good—and I’m +afraid I don’t, anyway—neither do we do any harm.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not sure that that’s a great deal to be proud +of.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t include you,” Nasmyth assured her. +“There have been wholesome changes in the village +since you grew up and made your influence felt. And +that leads to a question: How does Clarence get on +with his tenants and the rank and file? George understood +them, but they’re difficult folks to handle.” +</p> +<p>“He’s away a good deal—I’m afraid there has +been some friction now and then.” The girl’s manner +suddenly changed. “But that’s beside the point. +Aren’t you wasting time?” +</p> +<p>“I am almost afraid to begin. You will find the +story trying.” +</p> +<p>She turned toward him, and the moonlight showed +her face was reassuringly quiet. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span></p> +<p>“I expect that; but your fears are groundless. You +needn’t hesitate on my account.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth knew that she was right; Millicent was not +one to flinch from pain. With an effort, he began his +story at the portage over the divide, and, possessed by +vivid memories, he made her see the desolate region +they had laboriously traversed. Because her imagination +was powerful, she could picture the brother she +had loved toiling with desperate purpose and failing +strength through muskeg and morass. Then, when +she quietly insisted, he described Gladwyne’s last camp. +She saw that, too: the hollow beneath the dark rock, +with the straggling cedars on the ridge above. Next +he outlined the journey down the first few rapids, saying +little about the caches, and at last, with considerable +relief, he came to a stop. Millicent sat silent +for several minutes, during which he did not look at +her. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” she said at length. “I have tried +often to imagine it, and failed; but it is quite clear +now. Clarence would never give me more than the +barest details—I think he hated to speak of it.” +</p> +<p>“In a way, he was wise,” replied Nasmyth. He +understood the man’s reluctance. “Now don’t you +think it would be better if you tried to drive the thing +out of your mind? It can’t be altered—there’s a +danger in dwelling too much upon one’s grief.” +</p> +<p>She looked up at him, though her eyes were dim with +tears. +</p> +<p>“It can’t be driven out. There were only the two +of us; we had so much in common—there was such +trust between us.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded in comprehension and sympathy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p> +<p>“Now that I’ve told you,” he said quietly, as he +rose, “I think I’ll go. I am sure you’d rather be +alone.” +</p> +<p>“No,” she answered, motioning to him to sit down. +“Please stay.” She seemed to rouse herself with an +effort. “Of course, there was only one thing George +could do when he was lamed—send them on. But +Clarence, who was with him, never made his fortitude +and cheerfulness so clear as you have done. You even +mentioned the exact words he said now and then—how +did you hear of them?” +</p> +<p>“From my companion, a young Canadian. He had +the whole thing by heart; got it from the Hudson Bay +agent. George’s guide told the agent.” +</p> +<p>“Did your companion also teach you how to tell the +story?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. He saw that she was desirous of +changing the subject and he was glad of it. +</p> +<p>“Anyway, he made me see it at the time; pointed +out the full significance of things—a broken branch, +a scratch on a rock. A rather striking man in several +ways. But you shall see him; he’s coming over to +stay with me by and by.” He paused a moment. “I +understand that Clarence has been having some trouble.” +</p> +<p>“It hardly amounts to that. But things are not the +same as they were”—in spite of her courage she +faltered—“when George held control. The tenants +don’t take to Clarence; I think he was not well advised +in increasing rents here and there. Indeed, that was a +little puzzling, because he was once so liberal.” +</p> +<p>“In small matters; it’s his own money now.” +Nasmyth could not repress this show of bitterness. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></p> +<p>“Whose money was it in his extravagant days?” +</p> +<p>“That’s a question I’ve thought over and failed to +find an answer to. I’ve no doubt most of what he +gets is now being spent in town, though in my opinion +as much as possible ought to go back to the locality +in which it was produced. Why don’t you impress +that on him?” +</p> +<p>Millicent, as he knew, could judiciously offer sound +advice where it was needed. She was young, but, having +been left an orphan early, she had long enjoyed +her brother’s close companionship and confidence, and +the man’s wide knowledge and thoughtfulness had had +its effect in molding her character. Still, in this case, +she did not respond. +</p> +<p>“It would be better for his tenants and the neighborhood +generally if Clarence married; he can afford +it now,” Nasmyth went on. +</p> +<p>Again the girl was silent, and he wondered whether +he had thoughtlessly made a serious blunder. It had +been supposed among their friends that she would +marry Clarence some day, though, so far as it was +known, there was no definite understanding between +them, and for a while the man’s attitude had strengthened +the idea. Indeed, when he had succeeded to +George’s possessions, every one had expected an announcement, +which had not been made. What Millicent +thought, or what she had looked for all along, did not +appear. +</p> +<p>“I think you are right in one thing,” she said, very +calmly, at length. “If he would stay here, as George +did and his neighbors do, it would be better for everybody, +including himself.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a sign of agreement. Their intimate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +friends remained for the greater portion of the +year on their estates, understanding the needs of their +tenants and dependents and enjoying their good opinion, +which was naturally increased by the fact that +their expenses were chiefly incurred in the neighborhood. +There were others who, as the small farmer +recognized, returned as little as possible to the soil, +squandering revenues raised by the stubborn labor of +others in doubtful pleasures elsewhere and, when they +brought their friends home, on luxuries despatched +from town. These things made for bitterness. +</p> +<p>An unfortunate persistence in his hobby drove Nasmyth +into a second blunder. +</p> +<p>“We’re in accord on that point,” he assured her. +“It’s a pity the land passed out of your hands. However, +as there’s no male succession, it might, after all, +come back to you.” +</p> +<p>She bore it very calmly. +</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t have me speculate on such a thing?” +</p> +<p>Then as if to find a safer topic she went on with a +thrill of anger in her tone: +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you of an incident I witnessed two or three +days ago, which annoyed me seriously. I’d just met +old Bell—you know how lame he is—driving some +sheep along the road. It has been a wet, cold year; +Bell lost his hay, the oats are dreadfully poor, and his +buildings are in very bad repair.” +</p> +<p>“They were a disgrace to any estate when I last +saw them,” Nasmyth broke in. “Besides, the sour +land near the river should have been tile-drained long +ago.” +</p> +<p>“So Bell has urged; but he can’t get Marple to +spend a penny—I’m glad that man’s new to this part +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +of the country and doesn’t belong to us. Well, just +after I met Bell, Marple’s big motor came along. He +had Batley with him and the Crestwicks, who were +down before. I think you met them?” +</p> +<p>“I did,” assented Nasmyth. “In Canada they’d +call them a mighty tough crowd; they’re about the +limit here.” +</p> +<p>“I turned round after the car had passed,” Millicent +went on. “Marple was driving, as fast as +usual, and he made no attempt to pull up. Bell, who +didn’t hear, tried to jump and fell into the ditch; most +of the sheep were scattered across the moor, but two +or three got right in front of the car and at the last +moment Marple had to stop. One of the women +laughed, she had a very shrill voice and she explained +that the old man looked so funny in the ditch; Marple +shouted to Bell—something about the damage to his +tires—and I could see the others smiling at what he +said. That was worse than the words he used. Then +they went on, leaving the old man to gather up his +sheep; he hadn’t a dog with him. That kind of thing +leaves its mark!” +</p> +<p>“Distinctly so,” Nasmyth agreed. “Still, Marple +and his lot are exceptions. Wasn’t Clarence rather +thick with them?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she answered. “I’ve been rather disturbed +about him.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth did not know what this meant. He +thought she would hardly have made such an admission +had she contemplated marrying the man; and, if +not, it was somewhat difficult to see why he should +cause her serious concern. He knew, however, that +Millicent could not look on unmoved when her friends +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +left the right path; he could think of two or three +whom she had helped and gently checked from further +straying. This reflection was a relief to him, because +he was determined that she should not marry Clarence +if he could prevent it. If necessary, he would tell her +the part the man had played in Canada, though he +shrank from doing so. +</p> +<p>“Marple and his acquaintances are not the people +one would have expected Clarence to associate with,” +he continued. “Still, in my opinion, he’s doing worse +in making a friend of that fellow Batley. I could +never understand the connection—the man strikes me +as an adventurer. Has he spent much time here since +I’ve been away?” +</p> +<p>“A good deal, off and on. But it’s getting chilly +and I half expect a reproving lecture from Miss Hume +when I go in. First, though, tell me a little more +about the young Canadian you had with you.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know much. I met him by accident—he +has an interest in some mines, I believe, but he struck +me as a remarkably fine type. Clever at woodcraft, as +handy with the ax and paddle as our professional +guide, but when he talked about other things he seemed +to know a good deal more than I do.” He smiled. +“After all, that’s not surprising. But what I liked +most was the earnestness of the fellow; he had a downright +way of grappling with things, or explaining +them to you. Sensible, but direct, not subtle.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve met men of that description, and I’m rather +prejudiced in their favor,” declared Millicent, smiling. +“But what was he like in person—slightly rugged?” +</p> +<p>“No; that’s where you and others sometimes go +wrong. There’s nothing of the barbarian about these +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +bushmen. Physically, they’re as fine a type as we are—I +might go farther—straight in the limb, clean-lined +every way, square in the shoulder. They’d make +an impression at any London gathering.” +</p> +<p>“So long as they didn’t speak?” +</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t matter. Allowing for a few colloquialisms, +they’re worth listening to; which is more +than I’d care to say for a number of the people one +meets in this country.” +</p> +<p>Millicent laughed. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll be glad to see him when he comes.” Her +voice grew graver. “I feel grateful to him already +for what he told you about George.” +</p> +<p>They went in together and half an hour later Nasmyth +walked home across the moor. He had never +thought more highly of Millicent, but somehow he now +felt sorry for her. It scarcely seemed fitting that she +should live in that lonely spot with only the company +of an elderly and staid companion, though he hardly +thought she would be happier if she plunged into a +round of purposeless amusements in the cities. Still, +she was young and very attractive; he felt that she +should have more than the thinly-peopled countryside +had to offer. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_ON_THE_MOORS' id='VII_ON_THE_MOORS'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>ON THE MOORS</h3> +</div> + +<p>Nearly a year had passed since Nasmyth’s return +when Lisle at length reached England. +Soon after his arrival, he was, as Nasmyth’s +guest, invited to join a shooting party, and one bright +afternoon he stood behind a bank of sods high on a +grouse-moor overlooking the wastes of the Border. +The heath was stained with the bell-heather’s regal +purple, interspersed with the vivid red of the more +fragile ling, and where the uplands sloped away broad +blotches of the same rich colors checkered the grass. +In the foreground a river gleamed athwart the picture, +and overhead there stretched an arch of cloudless blue. +There was no wind; the day was still and hot. +</p> +<p>A young lad whose sunburned face already bore the +stamp of self-indulgence was stationed behind the +butt with Lisle, and the latter was not favorably impressed +with his appearance or conversation. +</p> +<p>“Look out,” he cautioned by and by. “You +were a little slow last time. They travel pretty fast.” +</p> +<p>Lisle picked up his gun; he had used one in the +West, though he was more accustomed to the rifle. +Cutting clear against the dazzling sky, a straggling +line of dark specks was moving toward him, and a +series of sharp cracks broke out from the farther wing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +of the row of butts, which stretched across the moor. +Lisle watched the birds, with fingers tightening on his +gun; one cluster was coming his way, each flitting +body growing in size and distinctness with marvelous +rapidity. Then there was a flash beside him, and another +crash as he pitched up his gun. Something +struck the heather with a thud not far away, and +swinging the muzzle a little, he pulled again. He +was not surprised to hear a second thud, and laying +down his gun he turned to his youthful companion, +while a thin cloud of acrid vapor hung about him. +</p> +<p>“Get anything?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“I didn’t,” was the sullen answer. “Couldn’t expect +it with the second barrel, after you’d filled the +place with smoke. Wonder why Gladwyne’s man gave +you the old black powder?” +</p> +<p>As nearly everybody else used smokeless, this was +a point that had aroused Lisle’s curiosity, though it +was not a matter of much importance. Nasmyth had +provided him with cartridges, but they had somehow +been left behind, and on applying to Gladwyne’s +keeper he had been supplied with ammunition which, +it seemed, was out of date. +</p> +<p>“After all, you have done well enough,” his companion +resumed. “We’d better get on to our next +station—it’s right across the moor on the high ridge +yonder. Don’t bother about the birds.” +</p> +<p>“Shall I leave them there?” +</p> +<p>“Certainly! Do you want to carry them all the +afternoon? One of the keeper fellows will bring them +along.” +</p> +<p>The lad’s tone was half contemptuous; he had already +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +shown that he considered the Canadian what he +would have called an outsider; but he was willing to +make use of him. +</p> +<p>“You might look after Bella; she’s alone in the +next butt—and I’ve something else to do,” he said. +“There’s an awkward ghyll to cross and she won’t +carry anything lighter than a 14-gun. See she doesn’t +leave the cartridges in it.” +</p> +<p>He strode away across the heather, and Lisle turned +toward the turf shelter indicated. As he approached +it, a girl appeared and glanced at him with very +obvious curiosity; but as he supposed that she was the +sister of his late companion he did not expect any +diffidence from her. She was short in stature and +slight in figure, and dressed in grayish brown; hat, +coat, and remarkably short skirt all of the same material. +Her hair was of a copper color; her eyes, +which were rather narrow, of a pale grayish-green. +He would have called them hard, and there was a hint +of arrogance in her expression. Yet she was piquantly +pretty. +</p> +<p>“I suppose you’re Nasmyth’s Canadian friend?” +she began, and went on without waiting for an answer: +“As we occupy adjoining butts on the next +drive, you may take my gun. Teddy has deserted +me.” +</p> +<p>“Teddy?” queried Lisle, who wondered if she were +referring to her brother. “I thought his name was +Jim.” +</p> +<p>“It’s Marple’s stout friend with the dyed hair I +mean. I told him what would happen if he ate as he +persisted in doing at lunch. It’s too hot to gormandize; +I wasn’t astonished when he collapsed at the steep +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +place on the last walk. Reflecting that it was his own +fault, I left him.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was not charmed with the girl’s manners, but +he could not check a smile. +</p> +<p>“Are you tired? You oughtn’t to be,” she continued +with another bold glance at him. +</p> +<p>“No,” he replied; “if it’s any consolation to you, +I’m far from exhausted yet.” +</p> +<p>“That’s reassuring,” she retorted. “You haven’t +taken my gun.” +</p> +<p>Having forgotten it for the moment, he flushed a +little, and she watched him with unconcealed amusement +while he opened the weapon and took out the +cartridges. +</p> +<p>“What’s that for?” she asked impertinently. “It’s +hammerless; there’s nothing to catch.” +</p> +<p>“The pull-off’s probably very light, if it’s been +made for a lady’s use. It’s sometimes possible to jar +the strikers down when they set the springs to yield at +a touch.” +</p> +<p>“Then you know something about guns?” she said, +as if she had not expected this. +</p> +<p>“Not a great deal about the scatter kind, though +I’ve stripped a few.” +</p> +<p>“We never do that,” she informed him. “We send +them to London. Still, you’re right; the gun did go +off when I knocked it jumping down from a wall.” +</p> +<p>“If you’ll let me have it to-night, I’ll alter that. +I understand we’re going out again to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>She considered a moment. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she consented, with the air of one conferring +a favor, “you may take it when we’ve finished.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span></p> +<p>Lisle wondered what had prompted him to make the +offer. The way she had addressed him was not ingratiating, +but he delighted in examining any fine +mechanism and he had never handled such a beautifully +made weapon. +</p> +<p>They plodded on side by side through the heather, +which was long and matted, and presently, seeing that +she was breathless, he stopped on the crest of a higher +rise and once more looked about with keen appreciation. +</p> +<p>In front of him the crimson and purple heath was +rent and fissured, and in the deep gaps washed out by +heavy rains the peat gleamed a warm chocolate-brown. +Elsewhere, patches of moss shone with an emerald +brightness, and there were outcrops of rock tinted +lustrous gray and silver with lichens. Below, near +the foot of the moor, ran a straight dark line of firs, +the one coldly-somber streak in the scene; but beyond +it the rolling, sunlit plain ran back, fading through +ever varying and softening colors to the hazy blue +heights of Scotland. +</p> +<p>Lisle’s companion noticed his intent expression. +</p> +<p>“It is rather fine up here,” she conceded. “I sometimes +feel it’s almost a pity one couldn’t live among +the heather. Certain things would be easier on these +high levels.” +</p> +<p>“Yes?” interrogated Lisle, slightly puzzled and +astonished. +</p> +<p>“You’re obviously from the woods,” she smiled. +“If you had spent a few years among my friends, you +would understand. I was referring to the cultivation +of ideas and manners which seem to be considered out +of date now.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p> +<p>Lisle made no reply to this, but he glanced too directly +at a red stain on her hand. +</p> +<p>“Blood,” she explained. “I had a bet with Alan +that I’d get a brace more than Flo; that’s why I went +after a cripple running in the ling. It wasn’t dead +when I picked it up—rather horrid, wasn’t it?” +</p> +<p>The man was conscious of some disgust. She +looked very young and, slight as she was, her figure +was prettily rounded and she had a soft, kittenish +gracefulness; but she spoke with the assurance of a +dowager. Though he had killed and cut up many a +deer, he shrank from the small red stain on her delicate +hand. She saw it and laughed, and then with a sudden +change of mood she stooped and swiftly rubbed +her fingers in the heather. +</p> +<p>“Now,” she said sharply, “if you’re sufficiently +rested, we’ll go on.” +</p> +<p>Lisle moved away, but he asked a question: +</p> +<p>“Do many girls shoot in this country?” +</p> +<p>“No,” she answered with a mocking smile; “not so +many, after all. That’s comforting, isn’t it? This +kind of thing is hard work, and damaging to the complexion.” +</p> +<p>Presently they came to a wall, and Lisle stopped in +some uncertainty. It was as high as his shoulders and +built of loose, rough stones. +</p> +<p>“Get over,” she ordered him. “Then pull a lot of +it down.” +</p> +<p>He did so, making, though he endeavored to avoid +this, a rather wide hole. +</p> +<p>She scrambled through agilely and then regarded +him with surprise as he proceeded to replace the +stones. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span></p> +<p>“Why are you doing that?” she asked. +</p> +<p>“There are sheep up here.” +</p> +<p>“Too many, considering that it’s a grouse-moor; +but what of it? They don’t belong to us.” +</p> +<p>“They belong to somebody who would rather they +didn’t stray,” Lisle rejoined. “In the country I come +from, it’s considered a serious transgression to knock +over another person’s fence and not put it up +again.” +</p> +<p>He calmly went on with his task, and sitting down +she took out a silver cigarette-case. After a minute +or two she looked up at him. +</p> +<p>“You’re doing that very neatly,” she remarked. +</p> +<p>“I’ve done something of the kind for a living,” +Lisle informed her. +</p> +<p>“Oh! It’s curious that you seem proud of it. In +this case, I don’t mind your keeping me, because they +can’t drive up the birds until we have crossed the +higher moor. It will annoy Gladwyne and his keeper, +and I’m not pleased with either of them. I wanted +Flo Marple’s station at the first butts.” +</p> +<p>Lisle considered this. He had wondered why she +had favored him with her company, when, although +her previous companion had deserted her, she could +by hurrying a little have joined the others. The butts +were not spaced very far apart. Their late occupants +had, however, now vanished into a dip of the moor. +He asked himself why a girl with her assurance should +have troubled to offer him an explanation. +</p> +<p>When he had finished the repairs to the wall, they +went on, and a little later he heard a sharp “Cruck—cruck-curruck,” +to one side of him. Swinging +around, he saw a grouse skimming the heather. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p> +<p>“A pair of gloves to a sovereign that you miss!” +cried his companion. +</p> +<p>The bird was flying fast; Lisle had to load, and by +the time he had snapped in a cartridge it was a long +range. This, however, was somewhat in his favor, as +he was better used to the rifle. There was a flash and +the bird struck the heath. The girl glanced at him +in unveiled appreciation. +</p> +<p>“A clean kill!” she exclaimed. “You have won +the gloves; and you’ll deserve them before you have +heard the last of this incident. I suppose you don’t +know that you shouldn’t have fired a shot except from +behind the butts.” +</p> +<p>She watched his expression with open amusement. +</p> +<p>“You don’t like to ask why I tempted you,” she +went on. “It was to vex the keeper; you may have +turned back the birds the beaters are driving up.” +</p> +<p>“Thanks for the information,” Lisle said coolly. +“Do you mind my inquiring whether you would have +taken the sovereign in case I’d missed? As you suggested, +I’m lately from the wilds.” +</p> +<p>“Of course!” she mocked. “I could have had it +drilled and worn it on a chain!” +</p> +<p>The man made no comment as they went on. Presently +they came to a deep rift in the moor through +which a stream leaped sparkling. The girl scrambled +down, waist-deep in yellow fern, but the other side was +steep and stony and she was glad of help when he held +out his hand. They made the ascent with some difficulty +and on reaching the summit she looked around, +breathless. +</p> +<p>“This is a romantic spot, if you’re interested in the +legends of the Border,” she told him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p> +<p>“I am,” Lisle said; and she sat down among the +heather. +</p> +<p>“It’s an excuse for a rest,” she confessed. “The +old moss-troopers used to ride this way to ravage Cumberland. +It was advisable for them to follow hidden +paths among the moors, and once an interesting little +skirmish took place among those brakes down the hollow.” +</p> +<p>She pointed toward a spot where the ravine widened +into a level strip of quaggy grass and moss which +glowed a brilliant emerald. On either side of it a +gnarled and stunted growth of alders and birches +fringed the foot of the steep slopes, and between them +the stream spread out across a stretch of milk-white +stones. The hollow was flooded with light and filled +with the soft murmur of running water. +</p> +<p>“It would be a strong place to hold, if the defenders +had time to choose their ground,” Lisle remarked. +</p> +<p>“So it proved,” replied his companion. “Well, +once upon a time, a bold Scots reaver, riding south, +saw a maid who pleased him near a Cumberland pele. +His admiration was not reciprocated, but he came +again, often, though being an armed thief by profession +there was a price upon his head. It is stated +that on each occasion he returned unaccompanied by +any of the cattle belonging to his lady’s relatives, +which was an unusual piece of forbearance. In those +days, men must have been able to disassociate business +from their love-making.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t they do so now?” Lisle inquired lazily. +</p> +<p>She looked at him with a smile which had a hint of +real bitterness in its light mockery. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span></p> +<p>“Not often, one would imagine. Perhaps they can’t +be blamed—I’m afraid we’re all given to cultivating +dreadfully expensive tastes. No doubt, when it was +needful, the Border chieftain of the story could live +on oatmeal and water, and instead of buying pedigree +hunters he probably stole his pony. He haunted the +neighborhood of the pele until the maid became afraid +and urged her kinsmen to rid her of him. Several of +them tried and failed—which wasn’t surprising.” +</p> +<p>“Love made him invulnerable?” Lisle suggested. +</p> +<p>“No,” retorted his companion. “A man with a +heart constant and stout enough to face the risks he +ran would be hard to kill. When you read between +the lines, it’s a moving tale. Think of the long, perilous +rides he made through an enemy’s land, all for a +glance at his disdainful lady! They watched the fords +in those days, but neither brawling rivers nor well-mounted +horsemen could stop him. At last, he came +one night with a dozen spears, broke in the barmkin +gate and carried her off. All her relatives rode hard +after them and came up with them in this ghyll. +Then there happened what was, in one way, a rather +remarkable thing—the abducted maid firmly declined +to be rescued. There was a brisk encounter, +I believe two or three were killed; but she rode off to +Scotland with her lover. I suppose I needn’t point +the moral?” +</p> +<p>“I can see only the ancient one—that it’s unwise +to take a lady’s ‘No’ as conclusive,” Lisle ventured. +</p> +<p>She laughed at him in a daring manner. +</p> +<p>“The pity is that we haven’t often a chance of saying +it to any one worth while. But I’ll express the +moral in a prettier way—sometimes disinterested +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +steadfastness and real devotion count with us. Unfortunately, +they’re scarce.” +</p> +<p>There was a challenge in her glance, but the man, +not knowing what was expected of him, made no answer. +At first he had been almost repelled by the +girl, but he was becoming mildly interested in her. +She could, he thought, be daring to the verge of coarseness, +and he did not admire her pessimism, which was +probably a pose; but there was a vein of elfish mischief +in her that appealed to him. Sitting among the +heather, small, lithe, and felinely graceful, watching +him with a provocative smile in her rather narrow eyes, +she compelled his attention. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she laughed, “you’re not much of a courtier. +But doesn’t that story bring you back into touch +with elemental things—treacherous mosses, dark +nights, flooded rivers, passion, peril, dauntlessness? +Now we’re wrapped about with empty futilities.” +</p> +<p>He understood part of what was in her mind and +sympathized with it. He had lived close to nature in +stern grapple with her unbridled forces. From women +he demanded no more than beauty or gentleness; but +a man, he thought, should for a time, at least, be +forced to learn the stress and joy of the tense struggle +with cold and hunger, heat and thirst, on long +marches or in some dogged attack on rock and flood. +He had only contempt for the well-fed idlers who +lounged through life, not always, as he suspected, even +gracefully. These, however, were ideas he had no intention +of expressing. +</p> +<p>“There are still people who have to face realities in +the newer lands; and I dare say you have some in this +country, on your railroads and in your mines, for example,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +he said. “But hadn’t we better be getting +on?” +</p> +<p>They left the brink of the hollow and plodded +through the heather toward where a row of butts +stood beneath a lofty ridge of the moor. A man appeared +from behind one as they approached and +glanced at them with unconcealed disapproval. +</p> +<p>“Couldn’t you have got here earlier, Bella?” he +asked. “In another few minutes you’d have spoiled +the drive—the birds can’t be far off the dip of the +ridge. Hardly fair to the keepers or the rest of us +to take these risks, is it?” +</p> +<p>“When I do wrong, I never confess it, Clarence,” +the girl replied. “You ought to know that by +now.” +</p> +<p>Lisle heard the name and became suddenly intent—this +was Clarence Gladwyne! There was no doubt +that he was a handsome man. He was tall and held +himself finely; he had a light, springy figure, with +dark eyes and hair. Besides, there was a certain stamp +of refinement or fastidiousness upon him which was +only slightly spoiled by the veiled hint of languid +insolence in his expression. +</p> +<p>“I heard a shot,” he resumed. +</p> +<p>“I’ve no doubt you did,” the girl agreed. “An +old cock grouse got up in front of us—it was irresistibly +tempting.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne turned to Lisle with a slight movement of +his shoulders which was somehow expressive of half-indulgent +contempt. +</p> +<p>“You’re Nasmyth’s friend from Canada? I guess +you don’t understand these things, but you might have +made the birds break back,” he said. “However, we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +must get under cover now—there’s your butt. I’ll +see you later.” +</p> +<p>He turned away and Lisle took up his station behind +the wall of turf pointed to. He had once upon a time +been forcibly rebuked for his clumsiness at some unaccustomed +task in the Canadian bush and had not resented +it, but the faint movement of Gladwyne’s shoulders +had brought a warmth to his face. The girl +noticed this. +</p> +<p>“Clarence can be unpleasant when he likes, but +there are excuses for him,” she said. “A day’s shooting +is one of the things we take seriously, and manners +are not at a higher premium here than I suppose they +are in the wilds.” +</p> +<p>Lisle made no response, and there was silence on the +sun-steeped moor until a row of small dark objects +skimming the crest of the ridge above became silhouetted +against the sky. Then a gun cracked away to the +right and in another moment a dropping fusillade +broke out. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_GLADWYNE_RECEIVES_A_SHOCK' id='VIII_GLADWYNE_RECEIVES_A_SHOCK'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>GLADWYNE RECEIVES A SHOCK</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was about nine o’clock in the evening, and Gladwyne’s +somewhat noisy guests were scattered +about his house and the terrace in front of it. +Several of them had gathered in the hall, and Bella +Crestwick, Lisle’s companion on the moors, stood, cigarette +in hand, with one foot on the old-fashioned +hearth-irons, frankly discussing him. A few birch +logs glowed behind the bars, for on those high uplands +the autumn nights were chilly, but the wide door stood +open, revealing a pale green band of light behind the +black hills, and allowing the sweet, cool air of the +moors to flow in. +</p> +<p>The girl had gained something by the change from +her outdoor attire to the clinging evening dress, but +it was with characteristic unconcern that she disregarded +the fact that the thin skirt fell well away from +one shapely ankle effectively displayed by a stocking +of the finest texture. +</p> +<p>“The man,” she said, “is a bit of a Puritan. They +still live over there, don’t they? His idea of English +women is evidently derived from what his father told +him, or from early-Victorian literature. I’m inclined +to believe I shocked him.” +</p> +<p>“It’s highly probable,” laughed a man lounging +near. “Still, I believe the descendants of the folks +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +you mention live three thousand miles from his country, +in the neighborhood of the Atlantic shore. One +wouldn’t fancy that you’d like Puritans.” +</p> +<p>There was nothing offensive in the words, but his +glance was a little too bold and too familiar, and Bella +looked at him with a gleam of malice in her eyes. +</p> +<p>“Extremes meet; it’s the middle—the medium mediocrity—that’s +irreconcilable with either end,” she +retorted. “For instance, I led a life of severe asceticism +all last Lent.” There were incredulous smiles, +though the statement was perfectly correct. “It’s a +course I could confidently recommend to you,” she proceeded, +unheeding; “of late you have been putting on +flesh with an alarming rapidity.” +</p> +<p>The man made no response and Bella resumed: +</p> +<p>“Besides, the Puritans have their good points; +they’re so refreshingly sure of themselves and their +views, while the rest of us don’t believe in anything. +You can’t be a fanatic without being thorough, and +in renouncing the world and the flesh you may gain +more than a passable figure. Among other things, +the ascetic life means straight shooting, steady hands, +and an eye you can depend upon. The overcivilized +man who does nothing to counterbalance his luxuriousness +is generally a rotter.” +</p> +<p>“But what has all this to do with Nasmyth’s Canadian?” +somebody asked. +</p> +<p>Bella waved her cigarette. +</p> +<p>“Try to walk a steep moor with him and you’ll see. +If that’s not sufficient, take the same butt with him +when the grouse are coming over.” +</p> +<p>Suddenly she straightened herself, dropping her foot +from the iron and flinging the cigarette into the fire, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +as a gray-haired lady entered the hall. She had been +a beauty years ago and now her fragility emphasized +the fineness of her features and the clear pallor of her +skin. She was dressed in a thin black fabric, and her +beautifully shaped hands gleamed unusually white +against its somber folds. +</p> +<p>“Where’s Clarence?” she asked the group collectively, +in a voice that was singularly clear and penetrative. +“I haven’t seen him for the last half-hour.” +</p> +<p>One of the men immediately went in search of him, +and the lady crossed the hall to where Millicent Gladwyne +was sitting, for the time being alone. Millicent +had noticed Bella’s sudden change of demeanor upon +her hostess’s entrance, with something between amusement +and faint disgust. Mrs. Gladwyne was what +Bella would have called early-Victorian in her views, +and she would occasionally have been disturbed by the +conversation of some of her son’s guests, had she not +been a little deaf. +</p> +<p>“Sitting quiet?” she said to Millicent, who was a +favorite of hers; and her voice carried farther than +she was aware of as she continued: “I heard the +laughter and it brought me down, though I want to +tell Clarence something. I like to see bright faces; +but the times have changed since I was young. We +were a little more reserved and not so noisy then.” +</p> +<p>“A dear old thing! It’s a pity she’s quite so antediluvian,” +Bella remarked to a man at her side. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t that the natural penalty of being a dear old +thing?” laughed her companion. “There’s no doubt +we have progressed pretty rapidly of late.” +</p> +<p>Clarence appeared shortly after this and was gently +chidden by his mother for going out without his hat, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +because the autumn nights were getting chilly. A +few minutes later, footsteps became audible outside the +open door and Nasmyth entered the hall with Lisle. +It was spacious and indifferently lighted; the others, +standing near the hostess, concealed her, and Lisle +stopped for a word with Bella. Then Nasmyth noticed +Mrs. Gladwyne and called to his companion. +</p> +<p>“This way, Vernon.” +</p> +<p>Clarence swung round with a start and cast a swift +glance at the stranger, and Millicent wondered why +his face set hard; but the next moment Nasmyth led +up the Canadian and presented him. Mrs. Gladwyne +had risen and Lisle made a little respectful inclination +over the delicate hand she held out. Age had but +slightly spoiled her beauty; she had still a striking +presence, and a manner in which a trace of stateliness +was counterbalanced by gentle good-humor. Lisle +was strongly impressed, but, as Millicent noticed, he +betrayed no awkwardness. +</p> +<p>“I seem to have heard your name before in connection +with Canada,” said Mrs. Gladwyne, confusing +it with his surname. “Ah, yes! Of course; it was +George’s guide I was thinking of.” She turned to +Millicent, adding in an audible aside: “I’ve a bad +habit of forgetting. Forgive me, my dear.” +</p> +<p>Everything considered, it was, perhaps, the most +awkward thing she could have said; but Lisle’s bronzed +face was imperturbable, and Gladwyne had promptly +recovered his composure as he realized the mistake. +Still, for a moment, he had been badly startled. Nobody +noticed Nasmyth, which was fortunate, because +his unnatural immobility would have betrayed him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span></p> +<p>“I’d been expecting you both earlier; told you to +come to dinner,” said his host. +</p> +<p>Then he addressed Lisle. +</p> +<p>“As my mother mentioned, I had once something to +do with a man called Vernon, in Canada.” +</p> +<p>Knowing what he did, Lisle fancied that Gladwyne’s +indifferent tone had cost him an effort. +</p> +<p>“It’s only my Christian name, as you have heard,” +he explained. +</p> +<p>“You were up in the bush with Nasmyth, were you +not?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Lisle. “I met him quite by +chance in a Victoria hotel when I happened to have +a few weeks at my disposal which I thought of spending +in the wilds. When he heard that I intended making +a trip through the northern part of the country +and suggested that we should go together I was glad +to consent.” +</p> +<p>“Then you belong to Victoria?” +</p> +<p>“I was located there when I met Nasmyth. Before +that I was up in the Yukon district for some time. +Since leaving him I’ve lived in the city.” +</p> +<p>He thought Gladwyne was relieved at his answer, +for the latter smiled genially. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “we must try to make your visit +to this country pleasant.” +</p> +<p>Shortly after this, the group broke up and Gladwyne, +escaping from his guests, slipped out on to the +terrace and walked up and down. Nasmyth had +merely mentioned that he had a Canadian friend staying +with him; somehow a formal introduction had +been omitted during the day on the moors, and Gladwyne +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +had been badly disconcerted when he heard the +man addressed as Vernon. The name vividly recalled +a Canadian episode that he greatly desired to forget, +and he had, indeed, to some extent succeeded in doing +so. That unfortunate affair was done with, he had +assured himself; for two years it had scarcely been +mentioned in his hearing, but for a horrible moment +which had taxed his courage to the utmost he had +almost fancied that it was about to be brought to light +again. Lisle’s answer and manner had, however, reassured +him. Nasmyth had met the man accidentally +and it was merely as the result of this that they had +made the journey through the bush together. It was +evident that he had been needlessly alarmed. +</p> +<p>For all that, he was troubled. Living for his own +pleasure, as he did, he was nevertheless a man who +valued other people’s good opinion and prided himself +upon doing the correct and most graceful thing. +There was no doubt that he had once badly failed in +this, but it was in a moment of physical weakness, +when he was exhausted and famishing. After all, it +was most probable that his cousin had died before he +could have reached him, and there were, he thought, +few men who, if similarly situated, would have faced +the risk of the return journey. Still, the truth would +have had an ugly sound had it come out. This was +why he had spread the story of the guide’s defection, +which he now regretted. It might not have been +strictly necessary, but he had reached the trappers’ +camp on the verge of a collapse, too far gone to reason +out the matter calmly. A man in that condition +could hardly be held accountable for his action. Besides, +it was incredible that the guide’s statement that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +he had made the journey without replenishing his provisions +could be correct. +</p> +<p>His reflections were interrupted by Mrs. Gladwyne, +who came out, wrapped in a shawl. +</p> +<p>“Why are you here alone?” she asked. “You +look disturbed. Has anything gone wrong?” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne was sorry that she had joined him where +the light from a window fell on his face, but he +smiled. +</p> +<p>“No,” he answered quietly, for he was always gentle +with her. “I only felt that I’d rather avoid the +chatter of the others for a few minutes. I suppose +it was the man’s name, together with your reference +to George, that upset me.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne laid her hand on his arm. She was +inordinately fond and proud of the son whom she +had spoiled. +</p> +<p>“I sometimes think you are too sensitive on that +point, Clarence,” she said. “Of course, it was very +tragic and we both owe George a great deal, but you +did all that anybody could have done.” +</p> +<p>The man winced, and it was fortunate that they +had now left the light behind and his mother could +not see his face. +</p> +<p>“I could have stayed and died with him,” he broke +out with unaffected bitterness. “There were times at +the beginning when I was sorry I let him send me +away.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne shook her head reproachfully. She +was gracious and quietly dignified and refined in +thought, but for all that she was not one to appreciate +such a sacrifice as he had indicated. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid that was an undue exaggeration of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +natural feeling,” she remonstrated. “How could +your staying have helped him, when by going in +search of help you increased his only chance of safety? +I have always been glad you were clear-headed enough +to realize it, instead of yielding to mistaken emotional +inclinations.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne felt hot with shame. His mother had +an unshaken confidence in his honor, which was the +less surprising because her perceptions had never been +very keen and she had always shrunk from the contemplation +of unpleasant things. It was an amiable +weakness of hers to idealize those she loved, and by +resolutely shutting her eyes on occasions she succeeded +in accomplishing it more or less successfully. Clarence +was, of course, aware of this, and it hurt to remember +that in deserting his cousin he had been +prompted chiefly by craven fear. His mother, however, +quite unconscious of what she was doing, further +humiliated him. +</p> +<p>“Of course,” she continued, “if you had found the +cache of provisions, it would have been your duty to +return to George at any hazard, and I have no doubt +whatever that you would have gone.” +</p> +<p>The damp stood beaded on the man’s forehead. He +realized that even his lenient and indulgent mother +would shrink from him if she knew that he had abandoned +his dying benefactor like a treacherous coward. +He said nothing and they had strolled to the end of +the terrace before she spoke again. +</p> +<p>“I think it would be better to go back to the others +and drive away these morbid ideas,” she advised. +“It’s a duty to look at the brightest side of everything.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span></p> +<p>He made no answer, but he strove with some degree +of success to recover his usual tranquillity as they +turned toward the entrance of the hall. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile, Lisle had been talking to Millicent. +She had already made a marked impression on +him, for in the wilds the man had acquired a swift +and true insight into character. One has time to think +in the lonely places where, since life itself often depends +upon their accuracy, a man’s perceptions grow +keen, and though some of the minor complexities and +subtleties of modern civilization might have puzzled +him he was seldom mistaken in essentials. +</p> +<p>He liked her direct and calmly searching gaze; he +liked her voice which, while soft and pleasant, had a +trace of gravity in it. He knew that her fine carriage +was a sign of physical vigor and he recognized +how it had been gained by the clear, warm tinting of +her slightly sun-darkened skin. But, apart from this +and her comeliness, which was marked, there was that +in her personality which spoke of evenness and depth +of character. She was steadfast, not lightly to be +swayed from a resolve, he thought. +</p> +<p>“Nasmyth has often spoken about you,” she told +him. “I understand it was chiefly by your help that +he succeeded in reaching the scene of my brother’s +death. I want to thank you for that.” +</p> +<p>Her voice was quiet, but it did not betoken indifference; +he knew that she was not one to forget. He +could not think of any apposite answer, but she saw +the sympathy in his eyes and it pleased her more than +words would have done. +</p> +<p>“It was a relief to me that Nasmyth made that +journey,” she went on. “I wanted to learn everything +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +that could be known—instead of shrinking +from it. You see, I had a great faith in my brother.” +</p> +<p>“He deserved it,” Lisle declared warmly. “I have +gathered enough to convince me of that!” +</p> +<p>“Thank you! Clarence was not in a condition to +notice anything very clearly during his journey, and +I think what he suffered blunted his recollection. Besides, +the subject is a distressing one to him, and it is +seldom he can be induced to speak about it. Perhaps +that is a pity; I find it does not always save one +trouble in the end to avoid a little immediate pain.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was gratified. She had spoken so unrestrainedly, +though he imagined that it was a somewhat unusual +thing for her to take a stranger into her confidence. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he replied; “I think that’s very true. It’s +better to face it and get it over. The wound sooner +heals.” +</p> +<p>She smiled rather wistfully and changed the subject. +</p> +<p>“I told Nasmyth that you taught him to see.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose I did,” acknowledged Lisle. “Still, it +was only as far as it concerned the things that I’m +acquainted with. I’m not sure that my meaning’s +very clear?” +</p> +<p>“I understand. You knew what to expect; that +carries one a long way. Were you disappointed in +finding it?” +</p> +<p>He was a little surprised at her keenness, and rather +confused. This was a question that could not be directly +answered. +</p> +<p>“What I was more particularly referring to was +the meaning of such things as a broken branch, a gap +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +in a thicket, or a few displaced stones,” he explained. +“I taught him what to infer from those.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said; “I understand that you discovered +nothing new—I mean nothing that could throw +any further light upon what befell my brother after +the others left him.” +</p> +<p>He was glad that he could answer her candidly. +</p> +<p>“No; we can only suppose that the conclusions the +rescue party came to were correct. But all that we +found relating to the week or two before the separation +spoke of the courageous struggle that your +brother made and his generosity in sending the others +away.” +</p> +<p>She bent her head. +</p> +<p>“That,” she said quietly, “is only what one would +have expected. He left a diary; you must come over +and see it.” +</p> +<p>“I should like to, if it wouldn’t be painful to you.” +</p> +<p>“No,” she replied; “I shall be glad to show it to +you.” +</p> +<p>She left him shortly after this and strolled out on +to the terrace, thinking about him. The little she had +seen of him had pleased her; he had earnest eyes and +a resolute air, and she liked the men who lived in the +open. He was direct, and perhaps a little rudimentary +without being awkward, which was in his favor, for +subtlety of any kind was distasteful to her. Still, in +one respect, she was disappointed—he had in no way +amplified Nasmyth’s story, and she had expected to +hear a little more of the expedition from him. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_LISLE_GATHERS_INFORMATION' id='IX_LISLE_GATHERS_INFORMATION'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>LISLE GATHERS INFORMATION</h3> +</div> + +<p>Nasmyth’s dinner was over and he lay, pipe +in hand, in an easy-chair in his smoking-room, +with Lisle lounging opposite him. They had +been walking up partridges among the higher turnip +fields all day, and now both were pleasantly tired and +filled with languid good-humor. Nasmyth’s house was +old—it had been built out of the remains of a Border +pele—and the room was paneled to the ceiling and +very simply furnished. It had an ancient look and +an ancient smell, and the few articles of plain oak +furniture harmonized with it. The window stood +wide open, and the fragrance of a grove of silver firs +outside drifted in. The surroundings had their effect +on Lisle, who had not been accustomed to dwellings +of that kind. +</p> +<p>“You have been here a fortnight and must have +formed a few opinions about us,” Nasmyth remarked +at length. “You needn’t be shy about expressing +them, and I’ve no doubt there are things you’d like to +ask.” +</p> +<p>“As a whole, my opinion’s highly favorable,” Lisle +announced with a smile. “I’d be uncommonly hard +to please if it weren’t.” +</p> +<p>“That’s flattering. But I’m not sure that I meant +as a whole; I had a few particular instances in my +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +mind. Bella Crestwick, for example; I’m curious to +hear what you think of her. She seems quite favorably +impressed with you.” +</p> +<p>“She’s interesting,” Lisle replied. “A type that’s +new to me; the latest development, isn’t it? Anyway, +I like her—whatever the admission’s worth—though +I must say that I found her rather startling at first. +She’s honest, I think, and that counts for a good deal.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you’re not aware that she’s desirably +rich?” +</p> +<p>“I wasn’t. It’s not a fact of any moment to me. +Besides, I’ve a suspicion that it’s Gladwyne’s scalp +she’s after.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded. +</p> +<p>“You’re pretty shrewd. Though I’ve had much +greater opportunities for observation, that idea has +only lately occurred to me. Of course, in a general +way, I shouldn’t discuss my acquaintances in this +casual fashion, but as you are likely to see a good +deal of us there are things you’d better know.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll explain my point of view,” said Lisle, refilling +his pipe. “You have seen something of the kind +of life I’ve led. Half my time, I suppose, has been +spent in primeval surroundings; the rest in contact +with the latest efforts of a rather unfinished civilization. +Well, what you have to show me here is vastly +different. These old houses, your smoothed-down +ways, are a revelation to me. The polish on some of +your furniture has taken several hundred years to +put on; that in my Victoria quarters smells of the factory, +and the board walls of other hotels I’ve lived +in rend into big cracks because they’re fresh from +the mill. I’m full of interest; everything’s new to me. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +But so far my curiosity’s impersonal; I’m taking no +hand in anything.” +</p> +<p>His companion’s face grew grave. +</p> +<p>“The trouble is that you may not be able to avoid +it later. You’re here, and some part will probably +be forced on you. However, as I said, I think you’re +right about Bella.” +</p> +<p>“But her money would be no great inducement to +Gladwyne.” +</p> +<p>“That’s not certain. Clarence has a way of +squandering money, and you may as well understand +that there’s very little to be derived from agricultural +property. George had his mother’s money, but he +left it to Millicent; Clarence got only the land. +That’s what made a match between them seem so desirable.” +</p> +<p>“Desirable!” Lisle broke out. “It’s impossible! +Not to be contemplated!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” Nasmyth agreed quietly. “If necessary, +it will have to be prevented. I was only stating popular +opinion.” +</p> +<p>There was something curious in his tone and Lisle +looked hard at him. Their eyes met full for a moment +and the thoughts of each were clear to the other. +</p> +<p>“If anything must be done, it will fall to you,” +Nasmyth went on. “In this case it would be particularly +invidious for me to interfere. But, if there had +been nobody else, I’d have broken off the match.” +</p> +<p>Lisle made no comment, but there was comprehension +and sympathy in his expression, and Nasmyth +nodded. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he acknowledged; “it’s an open secret that +I would have looked for nothing better than to marry +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +Millicent Gladwyne.” He paused with a slight flush +creeping into his bronzed face. “For all that, I knew +some years ago that I hadn’t the faintest chance and +never would have. I have her confidence and friendship; +that has to be enough.” +</p> +<p>“I think it’s a good deal,” said Lisle. +</p> +<p>There was silence for a minute or two, and then +Lisle asked a question: +</p> +<p>“How could a girl like Millicent Gladwyne ever +contemplate the possibility of marrying Clarence?” +</p> +<p>“It’s puzzling to me. These things often are to +outsiders. Still, Clarence is a handsome man, and I +think George was in favor of the match, which would +count with her. Then, in a way, she was always fond +of Clarence, and now that she has the money and he’s +far from prospering on the land, the idea that she +could set him firmly on his feet by sharing her possessions +with him may prove tempting. It’s very much +the sort of thing that would appeal to her.” +</p> +<p>“You suggest that she isn’t strongly attached to +the man.” +</p> +<p>“I really believe she isn’t; but, for all that, I’m +sometimes afraid she’ll end by marrying him. It’s +very probable that she suspects some of his faults, +but I’m not sure they’d deter her. It would make her +more compassionate, believing it was her duty to help +him—that kind of thing’s an old delusion. Still, to +do the fellow justice, he hasn’t of late shown much +eagerness to profit by his opportunities.” +</p> +<p>Lisle mused for a few moments. It struck him +that Nasmyth had described a very fine type of woman, +which was quite in accordance with his own ideas of +Miss Gladwyne. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></p> +<p>“What led Gladwyne to cultivate Marple and the +Crestwicks?” he asked. “They’re different from the +rest of you.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t say. It’s a point I’ve wondered about, +though Marple and his rather rowdy friends are prosperous. +I can better see why they got hold of Clarence.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see it,” responded Lisle. “Remember I’m +an unsophisticated stranger in search of information. +If they’ve means enough, can’t they associate with +whom they like?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled, but there was a trace of diffidence +in his manner. +</p> +<p>“In a way, you’re right; but there are limits, more +particularly in such a place as this. The counties, +I’m sometimes thankful, don’t keep pace with London. +It’s a little difficult to explain, but we’re old-fashioned +and possibly prejudiced here. Anyhow, we exercise a +certain amount of caution in the choice of our friends.” +</p> +<p>“But Mrs. Gladwyne seems cordial to the people +you object to, and one would imagine that she’s the +embodiment of your best traditions, a worthy representative +of the old régime.” +</p> +<p>“Mrs. Gladwyne is a remarkably fine lady, but it’s +unfortunate that she’s a little deaf and—it must be +owned—not particularly intelligent. A good deal +of what goes on escapes her. Besides, she has always +idolized Clarence, and that would account for her not +seeing his friends’ failings.” +</p> +<p>“It’s curious that Gladwyne makes so much of that +young Crestwick.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve wondered about it,” Nasmyth confessed. +“The lad’s vicious—and I’ve an idea that the influence +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +Clarence has over him isn’t beneficial. In fact, +I’m sorry for his sister. She has been given her head +too young, but, in my opinion, the girl’s the pick of a +very indifferent bunch.” +</p> +<p>“But you haven’t accounted for these people’s +desire to be on good terms with Gladwyne.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth hesitated. +</p> +<p>“Oh, well, since you’re so persistent, the Crestwicks +have evidently been left with ample means, acquired +by their parents, not much education, and big ambitions. +They can get into certain circles, but that +won’t content them, and other doors, which Gladwyne +can open to them, are shut. After all, he’s a good +sportsman, a man of some culture, with a manner +that’s likely to impress such people. The lad’s holding +on to him and taking his worst aspect for a copy, +while Clarence seems willing to extend his patronage.” +</p> +<p>“For some consideration?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked disturbed. +</p> +<p>“It’s unpleasant, but I can’t help feeling that +you’re right. One way or another, young Crestwick +will have to pay his entrance fees.” He rose and +stretched himself lazily. “I’ll spoil my temper if I +say any more about it, and as we’ve had a long day +I’m off to bed.” +</p> +<p>Lisle followed him from the room, but he was up +early the next morning and strolled down to the river +while the light was creeping across the moors and the +dew lay thick upon the grass, thinking over what he +had heard on the previous night. It was his nature +to be interested in almost everything and he was +curious to learn what he could of the people to whom +his father had belonged. In Canada he had, for the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +most part, met only men of somewhat primitive habits +and simple desires, grappling with rock and forest, +or with single purpose toiling to acquire wealth in +the new cities. What was more to the purpose, few +of them were married. Now he was thrown among +a people not more intelligent—indeed, he thought +they were less endowed with practically useful knowledge—but +in some respects more complex, actuated +by different and less obvious ambitions and desires. +He felt impelled to watch them, though he recognized +that, as Nasmyth had predicted, this might not be +all. It was possible that sooner or later he would be +drawn into action. +</p> +<p>He reached the stream at a spot where it flowed, +still and clear, beneath a birch wood. A few of the +leaves were green, but most of them gleamed a delicate +saffron among the gray and silver stems, and the +ground beneath was flecked with yellow. Behind the +trees rough, lichened rock and stony slopes ran up to a +bare ridge, silhouetted against the roseate glow of the +morning sky. The sun had not risen, the water lay +in shadow; it was very quiet and rather cold, and +Lisle was surprised to see Millicent Gladwyne picking +her way cautiously over a bank of stones. It was +only her movements that betrayed her, for her neutral-tinted +attire harmonized with the background; but +when she caught sight of him she left the foot of the +slope she was skirting and came directly toward him. +He thought she looked wonderfully fresh and wholesome, +and he noticed that she carried a small camera. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid you have spoiled my sport,” she +laughed. “I was after an otter—though you +mustn’t tell Nasmyth that there is one about here.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span></p> +<p>“Certainly not,” acquiesced Lisle. “But why?” +</p> +<p>“He would consider it his duty to bring up the +hounds the next meet. Isn’t it curious how slaughter +appeals to a man? But Nasmyth isn’t unreasonable; +there are reserves in which even the jays he longs to +shoot have sanctuary.” +</p> +<p>“But you were looking for an otter?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; I wanted its picture, not its life. I’ve got +several, but I’m not satisfied; though I’ve been lucky +lately. I got a dabchick—they’re growing scarce—not +long ago.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll try the next pool, if you’ll let me come,” +suggested Lisle. “I’m pretty good at trailing. But +what do you want with their pictures?” +</p> +<p>“For my book,” she told him. “I have to make +ever so many drawings in color before I get them +right. If you’re fond of the wild creatures, I’ll show +them to you.” +</p> +<p>Lisle said that he would be delighted, and they went +on, keeping back among tall brushwood where they +skirted the swift stream at the head of the pool, and +then proceeding cautiously with the outline of their +figures softened by the heathy slopes behind. At +length, creeping up through a thin growth of alders, +they stopped near another still reach and the girl +pointed to a few floating objects on its surface. +</p> +<p>“You’re good at trailing or they’d have taken +fright,” she said. “Still, I think I will surprise you, +if you will wait here.” +</p> +<p>“Mallard,” Lisle commented. “Young birds—even +where we seldom disturb them, they’re shy.” +</p> +<p>She slipped away through the alders and he noticed +how little noise she made, though the lower branches +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +here and there brushed against her gliding form. She +was wonderfully light and graceful in her movements. +As she came out into the open there was a startled +quack or two from the birds. Lisle expected to see +them rise from the water, but she called softly and, to +his vast astonishment, they ceased paddling away +from her. She called again and they turned and swam +cautiously toward her, and when she took a handful +of something from a pocket and flung it upon the +surface of the stream, three or four heads were +stretched forward to seize the morsels. +</p> +<p>While the birds drew nearer Lisle looked on admiring. +She had roused his interest when he had first seen +her in her rich evening dress, but now he thought she +made a far more striking picture, and her sympathy +with the timid wild creatures which evidently knew and +trusted her awakened something responsive in him. +Half the pool now glimmered in the rosy light, with +here and there an alder branch reflected upon its mirror-like +surface, and Millicent stood on a strip of +gravel with her figure clearly outlined against it. +Dressed in closely-fitting, soft-colored tweed, tall and +finely symmetrical, she harmonized with rock and flood +wonderfully well. Lisle had occasionally seen a bush +rancher’s daughter, armed with gun or fishing-rod, +look very much at home in similar surroundings; but +this English lady, of culture and station, reared in +civilized luxury, appeared equally in her right place. +</p> +<p>He afterward recollected each adjunct of the scene—the +stillness, the pale gleam of the water, and the +aromatic smell of fallen leaves, but the alluring, central +figure formed the sharpest memory. By and by +she clapped her hands, the ducks rose and flew away +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +up-stream with necks stretched out, and she came back +toward him, laughing softly. +</p> +<p>“Sometimes they will come almost up to my feet; +but I’m afraid it’s hardly fair to inspire them with an +undue confidence in human nature. It might cost +them dear.” +</p> +<p>“You’re wonderful!” Lisle exclaimed, expressing +what he felt, for she seemed to him endowed with every +gracious quality. +</p> +<p>“Oh,” she smiled, “there’s nothing really remarkable +in what I showed you. I happened to find the +nest and by slow degrees disarmed the mother bird’s +suspicions; mallard have been domesticated, you know, +though they’re often hard to get very near. But +we may as well turn back; it’s now too late to see an +otter. I’m inclined to think they’re the shyest of all +the British wild creatures.” +</p> +<p>They moved away down-stream side by side, and +some time later she left him where a stile-path crossed +a meadow. +</p> +<p>“Come and see my drawings whenever you like,” +she said on parting. +</p> +<p>Lisle determined to go as soon as possible. Quite +apart from the drawings, the idea of going had its +attractions for him, and he walked homeward determined +that this girl should never marry Clarence Gladwyne. +It was unthinkable—that was the only word +for it. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_BELLA_S_CHAMPION' id='X_BELLA_S_CHAMPION'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>BELLA’S CHAMPION</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was early in the afternoon when Lisle arrived +at Millicent’s house and, after a glance at its +quaint exterior, was ushered into her drawing-room. +There he sat down and looked about while he +waited. The salient tones of its decoration were white +and aqueous blue, and the effect struck him as pleasantly +chaste and cool. Among the rather mixed ornaments +were a couple of marble statuettes, the figures +airily poised and very finely wrought. Next, he +noticed some daintily carved objects in ivory, and a +picture in water-color of a wide, gray stretch of moor +with distance and solitude skilfully conveyed. He had +risen to examine it when Millicent entered. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you came, though, as you’re used to the +life of the woods and rivers, I’m a little diffident about +showing you my sketches,” she said. “I’m afraid I’ve +kept you waiting.” +</p> +<p>Lisle smiled and she liked the candidly humorous +gleam in his eyes. +</p> +<p>“Nasmyth warned me that I was early—or rather +he said that if I were going to visit anybody else I +would have been too soon. I’d better confess, however, +that I’ve been making a good use of the time. +Things of this kind”—he indicated the statuettes—“are +almost new to me. They strike me as unusually +fine.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span></p> +<p>“Yes,” she answered, realizing that he had an artistic +eye, “they are beautiful—and one sees so many +that are not. George brought them from Italy for +me. This”—she moved toward a representation in +ivory of a Mogul gateway—“is of course a different +style, but it’s remarkable in its patient elaboration of +detail. The mosque’s not so fine. Nasmyth sent me +the pair from India; he once made a trip to the fringe +of the Himalayas.” +</p> +<p>Lisle examined the object carefully, and she waited +with some interest for his comment. +</p> +<p>“It’s wonderful,” he declared. “I suppose it’s a +truthful copy?” +</p> +<p>“I’m inclined to think the man who carved that had +not the gift of imagination. He merely reproduced +faithfully what he saw.” +</p> +<p>“Different peoples have strikingly different ways, +haven’t they?” commented Lisle. “While they were +making that small Eastern arch, we’d fling up a +thriving wooden town or build a hotel of steel and +cement to hold a thousand guests. The biggest +bridges that carry our great freight-trains across the +roaring gorges in the Rockies cost less labor.” +</p> +<p>“I should imagine it. What then?” +</p> +<p>He studied the carved ivory. +</p> +<p>“In a dry climate the original of this would last +for centuries—it has lasted since the days of the +Moguls—an object of beauty for generations to +enjoy. Perhaps those old builders used their time as +well as we do. Our works serve their purpose, but +one can’t call them pretty.” +</p> +<p>She was pleased with his answer. +</p> +<p>“I think that gets the strongest hold on me,” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +went on, glancing toward the picture of the moor; +“it’s real!” +</p> +<p>There was a hint of diffidence in Millicent’s expression. +</p> +<p>“But you can hardly judge, can you? You have +scarcely seen the English moors.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve spent a while on the high Albertan plains, +and you have the same things yonder; the vast sweep +of sky, the rolling waste running on forever. It’s all +in that picture; how expressed, I don’t know—there +are only the grades of color, scarcely a line to gage +the distance by. Still, the sense of space is vivid.” +</p> +<p>Millicent blushed. +</p> +<p>“You’re an indulgent critic; that drawing is my +own.” +</p> +<p>He did not appear embarrassed, though she saw +that he had not suspected the fact. She had already +noticed that when he might, perhaps, have looked +awkward he only looked serious. +</p> +<p>“After what you have said,” she resumed, “I’ll +show you the other things with greater confidence. +Do you know, I thought all you Western people were +grimly utilitarian?” +</p> +<p>He sat down and considered this. The man could +laugh readily, but he was also characterized by a certain +gravity, which she found refreshing by contrast +with the light glibness to which she was more accustomed. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he reasoned, “in my opinion, the white +man’s greatest superiority over all other peoples is his +capacity for making useful things—even if they’re +only ugly sawmills or grimy locomotives. Philosophy +never fed any one or lightened anybody’s toil; commerce +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +is a convenience, but the man who makes a big +profit out of it is only levying a heavy toll on somebody +else. It seems to me that all our actual benefits +come from the constructor.” +</p> +<p>“Have you been building sawmills?” Millicent +asked mischievously. +</p> +<p>He laughed with open good-humor. “Oh, no; +that’s why I’m free to talk. I happened to find a +lode with some gold in it, and gold is only a handy +means of exchanging things. I’ll own that I was +probably doing more useful work when I stood up to +my waist in ice-water, fitting sharp stones into a pulp-mill +dam.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps you’re right,” Millicent agreed, “but it +sounds severe. What of the people who never do +anything directly useful at all?” +</p> +<p>“There are a few who, by just going up and down +in it, keep the world sweet and clean. Some of the +rest could very well be spared.” +</p> +<p>“Then you believe that everybody must practically +justify his existence?” +</p> +<p>“If he fails to do so with us, his existence generally +ceases. The wilderness where I found the gold is full +of the bones of the unfit.” +</p> +<p>Millicent spread out some drawings. Most were in +color, in some cases several of the same object, done +with patient care, and she was strangely pleased when +she saw the quick appreciation in his eyes. +</p> +<p>“An otter; it’s alive,” he remarked. “You’ve +shown it working through a shallow, looking much +less like an animal than a fish—that’s right.” +</p> +<p>“I made half a dozen sketches, and I’m not satisfied +yet.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span></p> +<p>“Thorough,” he commented. “You get there, if +you have to hammer the heart out of whatever you’re +up against.” +</p> +<p>“It’s my brother’s book,” she answered. “I’m finishing +it for him. He did other things—most of +them useful, indirectly. I’ve only this—and I’d +like my part to be good.” +</p> +<p>He nodded sympathetically, looking troubled. +</p> +<p>“I can understand,” he said. “I had a partner—I +owe him more than I could ever have repaid, and +he left a troublesome piece of work to me. It will +have to be put through. But let me see some more; +they’re great.” +</p> +<p>She showed him a red jay; a tiny gold-crest perched +on a thorn branch; a kingfisher gleaming with turquoise +hues, poised ready for a dive upon a froth-lapped +stone. He was no cultured critic, but he knew +the ways of the wild creatures and saw that she had +talent, for her representations of them were instinct +with life. +</p> +<p>They were interrupted by a scratching at the door +and when she opened it a white setter hobbled awkwardly +in and curled itself at her feet. +</p> +<p>“He’s rather a big dog for the house, but I can’t +keep him away from me,” she explained. “As you +see, he has lost a foot, in a trap, and he was marked +for destruction when I asked for him. Sometimes I +think he knows that I saved his life.” +</p> +<p>The dog looked up and raising a paw scraped at +her hand, until she opened it, when he thrust his +chin into her palm. It was a trivial incident, but it +somehow stirred the man. +</p> +<p>“Now I know where you got power to draw these +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +lesser brethren,” he said. “Study alone would never +have given it to you.” +</p> +<p>She let this pass. He was almost embarrassing in +his directness, though she acquitted him of any crude +intention of flattering her. +</p> +<p>“I promised to let you read my brother’s diary,” +she reminded him. “If you will wait a few moments, +I’ll get it.” +</p> +<p>The dog pattered after her, as though unwilling to +remain out of her sight, and she came back presently +with a small leather case and opening it took out a +tattered notebook. Noticing how she handled it and +that the case was beautifully made, Lisle fancied that +it was precious to her, in which he was correct. Indeed, +she was then wondering why she had volunteered +to show it to this stranger when only two of her intimate +friends had seen it. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” he said, when she gave it to him; +and drawing his chair nearer the window he began to +read. +</p> +<p>Though he was already acquainted with most of it, +the story gripped him. On the surface, it was merely +a plain record of a hazardous and laborious journey; +but to one gifted with understanding it was more +than this—a vivid narrative of a struggle waged +against physical suffering, weakness, and hunger, by +optimistic human nature. An odd word here, a line +or two in another place, was eloquent of simple, steadfast +courage and endurance; and even when the weakening +man clearly knew that his end was near there +was no outbreak of desperation or sign of faltering. +He had dragged himself onward to the last, indomitable. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span></p> +<p>Then Lisle proceeded to examine the book more +closely. It showed the effects of exposure to the +weather to an unusual degree, considering that the +covers were thick and that the rescue party had recovered +it shortly after its owner’s death. Moreover, +Lisle did not think that George Gladwyne would have +left it in the snow. Several pages were missing, and +having been over the ground, he knew that they recorded +the part of the journey during which the two +caches of provisions had been made, and he had +already decided that there would be a list of their contents. +This conclusion was confirmed by the fact that +Gladwyne had enumerated the stores they started with, +and had once or twice made a reduced list when they +had afterward taken stock. The abstraction of the +records was clearly Clarence’s work. Then he realized +that he had spent some time in perusing the diary and +he handed it back to Millicent with something that implied +a respect for it. She noticed the sparkle in his +eyes and her heart warmed toward him. +</p> +<p>“It’s the greatest story I’ve ever read,” he declared. +</p> +<p>She made no answer, but he knew that she was +pleased and it filled him with a wish to tell her that +she was very much like her dead brother. More he +could not have said, but remembering that he had +already gone as far as was permissible he had sense +enough to repress the inclination. He saw the girl’s +lips close firmly, as if she were conscious of some emotion, +but there was silence for a minute or two. He +broke it at length. +</p> +<p>“I know that you have granted me a very great +privilege, and I’m grateful,” he told her, and added, +because he thought a partial change of the subject +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +might be considerate: “In a way, it’s hard to realize +that tale in this restful place. It’s easier out yonder, +where what you could call the general tone is different.” +</p> +<p>“Nasmyth once said something like that,” Millicent +replied. “I suppose the change is marked.” +</p> +<p>Lisle nodded. +</p> +<p>“Here you have order, peace, security. In the +wilds, it’s all battle, the survival of the strong; frost +and ice rending the solid hills, rivers scoring out deep +ravines, beast destroying beast, or struggling with +starvation. Man’s not exempt either; a small blunder—a +deer missed or a flour bag lost—may cost him +his life. For the difference you have to thank the +constructor, the maker of plows and spades and more +complex machines.” +</p> +<p>“That’s one of your pet hobbies, isn’t it?” +</p> +<p>He once more changed the subject. +</p> +<p>“I wish that I could show you the wilderness,” he +said. +</p> +<p>Millicent looked thoughtful. +</p> +<p>“I should like to see it. I’ve an idea that if this +book is well received I might, perhaps, try something +a little more ambitious—the larger beasts and wilder +birds of other countries. In that case, I should choose +British Columbia.” +</p> +<p>“Then you will let me be your guide?” +</p> +<p>She made a conditional promise, and shortly afterward +he left her. Meeting Nasmyth he walked with +him toward Gladwyne’s house, where they found the +guests assembled on the lawn and Mrs. Gladwyne +sitting by a tea-table. One or two young women were +standing near and several men had gathered about a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +mat laid upon the grass fifty yards from where a +small target had been set up. Lisle joined Bella +Crestwick, who detached herself from the others. +</p> +<p>“What is this?” he asked. “It’s a very short +range.” +</p> +<p>“Miniature rifle shooting,” she informed him. +“It’s becoming popular. Gladwyne has been trying +to form a club. My brother Jim is president of some +league. He’s rather keen and there are reasons why +I’m glad of it.” +</p> +<p>She added the last words confidentially and Lisle +ventured to nod. It struck him that a healthy interest +in any organized work or amusement would be beneficial +to young Crestwick. The girl looked at him, +as if considering something; and then she seemed to +make up her mind. +</p> +<p>“There’s one thing I don’t like,” she complained. +“They will shoot for high stakes. Jim isn’t a bad +shot, but he’s too eager. I’m afraid he’s inclined to +be venturesome just now.” +</p> +<p>Lisle thought that she had a request to make. +There was something about him that inspired confidence, +and the girl had made a friend of him. +</p> +<p>“What do you want me to do?” he asked. +</p> +<p>She made a sign of impatience; he was too direct. +“Oh,” she pouted, “aren’t you taking a good deal for +granted? Still, you bushmen can shoot, can’t you?” +</p> +<p>“As a rule,” Lisle answered. “I almost think I +see.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” she retorted, “you shouldn’t have said so; +you should merely have smiled and acted.” +</p> +<p>“I’m from the wilds; you mustn’t expect too much. +Well, if you’ll excuse me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></p> +<p>She flashed a grateful glance at him, and he sauntered +toward the group of men, among whom Gladwyne +stood. There was a sharp crack as he +approached them, a thin streak of smoke drifted across +the figure lying on the mat, and a man beside it lowered +the glasses he held. +</p> +<p>“High to the left,” he announced. “You’re not in +good form, Jim. Hadn’t you better give up?” +</p> +<p>Lisle studied the speaker, whom he had met once or +twice already. He was approaching middle-age and +was inclined to corpulence, but there was something in +his pose that suggested a military training. His face +was fleshy, but the features were bold and he was +coarsely handsome. As a rule, he affected an easy +good-humor, but Lisle had felt that there was something +about him which he could best describe as predatory. +He occasionally spoke of business ties, so he +had an occupation, but he had not in Lisle’s hearing +mentioned what it was. +</p> +<p>Crestwick’s face was hot as he answered his remark. +</p> +<p>“Not at all, Batley. The trouble is that I’m used +to the Roberts target, and the spots on the card are +puzzling after the rings. I’ll get into it presently.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, well,” acquiesced the other. “As you didn’t +fix a time limit, we’ll go on again, though it’s getting +tame and I want some tea.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll increase the interest again, if you like,” the +lad replied. +</p> +<p>Lisle joined the group. +</p> +<p>“What’s it all about?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“Batley’s a pretty good rifle shot, but if he won’t +mind my saying so he’s a little opinionated,” Gladwyne +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +explained. “Crestwick questioned an idea of +his, and the end of it was that Batley offered to prove +his point—that a stiff pull-off is as good as a light +one in practised hands—by backing himself to beat +the field. Crestwick took him up, and since the rest +of us were obviously out of it, the thing has resolved +itself into a match between the two. Crestwick is +using an easy-triggered rifle; Batley’s has an unusually +hard spring.” +</p> +<p>Lisle considered. Remembering Bella’s remarks, he +thought it would be easy to lure the lad into a rash +bet. He was headstrong and his manners might have +been more conciliatory, but Lisle, learning the +amount of the stakes, decided that his host should not +have let the thing go so far. +</p> +<p>“Crestwick doubled several times; he’s stubborn and +doesn’t like to be beaten,” Gladwyne resumed. “I +had the same ideas when I was as young as he is.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve offered to let him off,” Batley broke in. “I’d +do so now only he’s kept me shooting for the last half-hour. +As Gladwyne says, he’s obstinate, and it’s a +pity that he’s wrong. If he’d trained his wrist-tendons +by using a harder trigger, he’d have made a passably +good shot.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was aware that while there was something to +be said for Batley’s view, Crestwick was justified in +contending that the lighter tension was more adapted +to the case of the average person; but he recognized +that the indulgent manner of the older men was calculated, +he thought intentionally, to exasperate the +hot-headed lad. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he observed, addressing Batley, “you have +the courage of your convictions if you have offered to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +maintain them against all comers, which I understand +is what you have done.” +</p> +<p>The man nodded carelessly and Lisle went on: +</p> +<p>“After all, since I dare say these gentlemen are +more used to the shotgun, your superiority doesn’t +prove very much.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick looked around at him quickly. +</p> +<p>“Most of you Colonials can use the rifle; do you +feel inclined to take him on? You’re a dark horse, +but I’ll double the stakes if he’ll throw you in.” +</p> +<p>This was what Lisle wanted, but he turned to the +others. +</p> +<p>“I’ve never had a small rifle in my hands—we use +the 44-70, and I must leave you to decide whether +my shooting would be fair to Mr. Batley. In that +case, I’ll put up half the stakes.” +</p> +<p>The men said there was no reason why he should +not join, and Batley made no protest, though Lisle +fancied that he was not pleased. Lying down on the +mat, he took the light-springed rifle and the six cartridges +handed him and fixed his eyes on the target, +which was a playing-card pinned to a thick plank. +He got the first shot off before he was quite ready—the +light pull was new to him—and somebody called +that he had touched the left top corner. The next +shot was down at the bottom, and the four following +marks were scattered about the card. When he got +up, Batley looked reassured and proceeded to make +a neat pattern around the center of another card. +There was no doubt that Crestwick was anxious, and +when he took his turn he shot badly. In the meanwhile, +the rest of the party on the lawn had gradually +gathered round; the eager attitude of the original +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +spectators hinted that something out of the usual +course was going on. +</p> +<p>Lisle was very cool when he lay down again. A +swift, encouraging glance from Bella Crestwick made +him determined, and during his previous six shots he +had, he thought, learned the right tension on the +trigger. +</p> +<p>“Wipe it out for me, somebody,” he said, holding +up the rifle. +</p> +<p>Bella seized it and deftly used the rod, regardless +of soiled fingers. +</p> +<p>“May it bring you luck,” she wished, with a defiant +glance at Batley, who smiled at her as she returned the +weapon. +</p> +<p>Then there was a hush of expectancy. Lisle took +his time; a sharp crack, a streak of smoke, and Gladwyne +raising his glasses, laughed. +</p> +<p>“High!” he called. “Top spot!” +</p> +<p>It was a three of hearts, and Gladwyne’s smile lingered +for a moment after Lisle fired again. +</p> +<p>“Bottom now; you’re low!” he cried, and then his +expression slightly changed. Both spots were drilled +out—this did not look altogether like an accident. +</p> +<p>“Center!” he announced after another shot, and all +the faces surrounding him became intent. The three +hearts were neatly punched. +</p> +<p>“A fresh card!” exclaimed Crestwick, looking +around at Batley with an exultant sparkle in his eyes. +“You offered to let me off. Shall I return the compliment?” +</p> +<p>The man laughed carelessly, though Lisle thought +it cost him an effort. +</p> +<p>“No,” he retorted; “I can’t show myself less of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +sportsman than you are; but I think I’ve the option +of demanding a longer range. Move the mat back +twenty-five yards and put up an ace of spades; it’s +the plainest. Three shots each should suffice at the +distance.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick got down and thrice touched the outside +of the card; Batley did better, for two shots broke +the edge of the black and one was close above them. +It was good shooting at so small a mark, and Lisle +was a little anxious as he very deliberately stretched +himself out on the mat. Having little of the gambler’s +instinct in his nature, he was reluctant to lose +the money at stake, but he was more unwilling to let +Batley fleece the lad whom, as he recognized now, he +had been asked to aid. He meant to do so, if the +thing were possible, and twice he paused and relaxed +his grip when his sight grew slightly blurred. +</p> +<p>Then there was a sharp crack, and he smiled when +he heard Gladwyne’s report. +</p> +<p>“I can’t see it. These are only opera-glasses.” +</p> +<p>Dead silence followed the next shot, which left no +visible mark on the target; and Lisle did not look +around as he thrust his last cartridge into the rifle. +He let it lie beside him for half a minute while he +opened and shut his right hand, and then, taking it +up quickly, fired. Still there was no blur on the white +surface of the card and Gladwyne sharply shut his +glasses, while two of the onlookers ran toward the +target. They came back in silence and one significantly +held up the ace. There were three small holes +in the black center. +</p> +<p>Gladwyne had turned away when Lisle got up, but +Batley concealed his feelings very well. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></p> +<p>“Excellent!” he exclaimed. “As I can’t beat that, +the only thing left me is to pay up.” +</p> +<p>Lisle turned to Crestwick, who looked hot and excited. +</p> +<p>“You made the bet,” he said. “Will you use my +half in buying a competition cup for one of your +clubs?” +</p> +<p>He saw Batley’s smile and a somewhat curious look +in Gladwyne’s face, but the group broke up and he +strolled back across the lawn with Bella. +</p> +<p>“I’m grateful,” she said softly. “I was a little +afraid at first that I was asking too much of you.” +</p> +<p>Lisle met her glance with a good assumption of surprise. +</p> +<p>“Grateful? Because I indulged in a rather enjoyable +match?” +</p> +<p>She laughed. +</p> +<p>“You learn rapidly. But I’d better say in excuse +that I didn’t think I’d involved you in a very serious +risk. He hasn’t your eyes and hands—one couldn’t +expect it. You don’t need pick-me-ups in the morning, +do you?” +</p> +<p>Lisle was slightly embarrassed. This girl’s knowledge +of life was too extensive, and he would have +preferred that she should exhibit it to somebody else. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she concluded as they approached the tea-table, +“my thanks are yours, even if you don’t value +them.” +</p> +<p>“What do you expect me to say?” he asked, regarding +her with some amusement and appreciation. +She was alluringly pretty in her rather elaborate light +dress. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she smiled mockingly, disregarding his question; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +“these things become me better than the tweeds, +don’t they? They make one look nice and soft and +fluffy; but that’s deceptive. You see, I can scratch; +in fact, I felt I could have scratched Batley badly if +I’d got the chance. There’s another hint for you—make +what you like of it.” +</p> +<p>Then with a laugh she swung round and left him, +puzzled. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_CRESTWICK_GIVES_TROUBLE' id='XI_CRESTWICK_GIVES_TROUBLE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>CRESTWICK GIVES TROUBLE</h3> +</div> + +<p>The little room in Marple’s house, where the +Crestwicks were staying, was hot and partly +filled with cigar smoke which drifted in filmy +streaks athwart the light of the green-shaded hanging-lamp. +Lisle sat beneath the lamp, studying the cards +in his hand, until he leaned back in his chair and flung +a glance about the table. There were no counters on +it, but Gladwyne had just noted something in a little +book and was waiting with a languid smile upon his +handsome face. Next to him sat Batley, looking +thoughtful; and Crestwick sat opposite Lisle, eager +and unhealthily flushed. His forehead showed damp +in the lamplight and there was an unpleasant glitter +in his eyes. It was close on to midnight and luck +had gone hard against him during the past hour, half +of which Lisle had spent in his company. This had +cost Lisle more money than he was willing to part with. +</p> +<p>“It’s getting late,” he said with a yawn. “After +this hand, I’ll drop out; I dare say one of the other +two will take my place. Crestwick, I believe your +sister and Miss Leslie will be waiting. You’re going +with them, aren’t you?” +</p> +<p>The lad, turning in his chair, reached toward a +near-by table on which there were bottles and siphons, +and took a glass from it. He had been invited to join +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +a shooting party at a house in the neighborhood and +was to spend the night there. +</p> +<p>“Oh!” he exclaimed with some irritation; “Bella’s +always in such an unreasonable hurry. The others +can’t be going yet. I think I hear Flo Marple singing.” +</p> +<p>A voice from somewhere below reached them +through the open door. It was a good voice, but the +words were a silly jingle and the humor in them could +not be considered delicate. Lisle, glancing at Gladwyne, +noticed his slight frown, but one of the two +young men lounging by the second table watching the +game hummed the refrain with an appreciative smile +upon his heavy and somewhat fatuous face. +</p> +<p>“They’ll take half an hour to get ready,” declared +Batley. “Better play out this round, anyhow.” +</p> +<p>They laid down their cards in turn and then Crestwick +noisily thrust his chair back. +</p> +<p>“Another knock-out!” he exclaimed savagely. “I +don’t like to get up so far behind. Shall we double +on another deal?” +</p> +<p>“As you like,” returned Batley. “You’re plucky, +considering the cards you’ve had; but if Fortune’s +fickle, she’s supposed to favor a determined suitor.” +</p> +<p>It was innocent enough, but Lisle fancied that there +was sufficient flattery in the speech to incite the headstrong +lad, who had now emptied the glass at his +hand. He remembered that on another occasion when +there had been a good deal at stake, Batley had played +on Crestwick’s feelings, though in a slightly different +manner. Whether or not the young man lost +more than he could afford was, in one way, no concern +of Lisle’s, and he did not find him in the least attractive; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +but half an hour previously Bella had met +him in the hall and had hinted, with a troubled look, +that she would appreciate it if he could get her +brother away. It was this that accounted for the +Canadian’s presence in the card-room. +</p> +<p>“I’m going, anyway,” he said, taking out some +notes and gold and laying them down. “There has +been a smart shower and you had better remember +that Miss Leslie walked over—the roads will be wet. +As you know, I promised to take the girls back in +Nasmyth’s trap, and he won’t thank me if I keep his +groom up.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick grumbled and hesitated, and he grew +rather red in face as he turned to Batley. +</p> +<p>“I’ve only these two notes,” he explained. “Expected +all along I’d pull up even. Will you arrange +things? See you about it when I come back.” +</p> +<p>Batley nodded carelessly, and the lad stood up, looking +irresolutely at the table. +</p> +<p>“Fact is,” he went on, “I’d like to get straight +before I go. I’m in pretty heavy for one night; another +round might do something to set me straight.” +</p> +<p>“Gladwyne and I are quite willing to give you +your chance,” was Batley’s quick reply; but Lisle unceremoniously +laid his hand on Crestwick’s shoulder. +</p> +<p>“Come along,” he urged, laughing. “Luck’s +against you; you’ve had quite enough.” +</p> +<p>He had the lad out of the door in another moment, +and looking back from the landing he saw a curious +look in Gladwyne’s face which he thought was one of +disgust. Batley, however, was frowning openly; and +the two men’s expressions had a meaning for him. He +was inclined to wonder whether he had used force +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +too ostensibly in ejecting the lad; but, after all, that +did not very much matter—his excuse was good +enough. As they went down the stairs, Crestwick +turned to him, hot and angry. +</p> +<p>“It strikes me you’re pretty officious! Never saw +you until two or three weeks ago,” he muttered. +“Not accustomed to being treated in that offhand manner. +It’s Colonial, I suppose!” +</p> +<p>“Sorry,” Lisle apologized with a smile. “I’ve an +idea that you’ll be grateful when you cool off. You’ve +been going it pretty strong to-night.” +</p> +<p>“That’s true,” agreed the other with a show of +pride. “Kept on raising them; made things lively!” +</p> +<p>“Found it expensive, didn’t you?” Lisle suggested; +and as they reached the foot of the stairs he led his +companion toward the door. “Suppose we take a turn +along the terrace before we look for your sister.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick went with him, but presently he stopped +and leaned on the low wall. +</p> +<p>“Do you ever feel inclined for a flutter on the +stock-market?” he inquired. “There’s a thing Batley +put me on to—there’ll be developments in a month +or two; it’s going to a big premium. Let you have a +hundred shares at par. Rather in a hole, temporarily.” +</p> +<p>Lisle had no intention of buying the stock, but he +asked a few questions. It appeared that it had been +issued by a new company formed to grow coffee and +rubber in the tropics. +</p> +<p>“No,” he said; “a deal of that kind is out +of my line. Why not sell them through a broker and +get your full profit?” +</p> +<p>“It would take some days,” answered the other. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +“Besides, they won’t move up until the directors let +things out at the next meeting. Something of that +kind, anyway; I forget—Batley explained it.” He +paused and added irritably: “Believe I told you I’m +in a hole.” +</p> +<p>“You must meet your losses and don’t know how to +manage it?” +</p> +<p>Lisle was curious and had no diffidence about putting +the question, though the lad was obviously off his +guard. +</p> +<p>“I can raise the money right enough—Batley’ll +see to that; but I’d sooner do it another way. The interest’s +high enough to make one think, and in this +case I’m paying it on money he’s putting into his +pocket.” +</p> +<p>There was a good deal to be inferred from this reply, +but Lisle considered before he spoke again. +</p> +<p>“You’re twenty-one, aren’t you?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” assented the lad, “but the trustees keep hold +until I’m twenty-four.” +</p> +<p>He turned with quick suspicion to the Canadian. +</p> +<p>“I don’t see what that has to do with you!” +</p> +<p>“It isn’t very obvious,” Lisle agreed. “Shall we +go in?” +</p> +<p>They found Bella in the hall, and when her brother +went to get-his coat she walked out on to the terrace +with Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” she said gratefully when they were +out of sight from the hall. “It was a relief to see +you had succeeded in getting him away.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry I was unable to do so sooner,” Lisle replied. +</p> +<p>“Ah! Then he has been losing heavily again?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p> +<p>“I’m afraid so. I couldn’t make my interference +too marked.” Obeying some impulse, he laid his hand +on her arm. “Rather a handful for you, isn’t he?” +</p> +<p>Bella nodded, making no attempt to shake off his +grasp. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she acknowledged with some bitterness; +“but I can hardly complain that I have no control +over him. It would be astonishing if I had.” She +broke into a little harsh laugh. “Anyway, I manage +to keep my head, and do not deceive myself, as he +does. I know what our welcome’s worth and what the +few people whose opinion counts for anything think +of us.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” offered Lisle, “if I can be of service in any +respect—” +</p> +<p>“Thanks,” she interrupted, and turned back toward +the door. +</p> +<p>When they reached the hall she glanced at her companion +as the light fell on his face. +</p> +<p>“Your offer’s genuine,” she said impulsively. “I +can’t see what you expect in return.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was puzzled by her expression. She was variable +in her moods, generally somewhat daring, and +addicted to light mockery. He could not tell whether +she spoke in bitterness or in mischief. +</p> +<p>“No,” he replied gravely, “nor do I.” +</p> +<p>She left him with a laugh; and a little later he drove +her and her companions away and afterward returned +to Nasmyth’s house to find that his host had retired. +Lisle followed his example and rising early the next +morning they set off for the river, up which the sea-trout +were running. They were busy all morning and +it was not until noon, when they lay in the sunshine +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +eating their lunch on a bank of gravel, that either of +them made any allusion to the previous evening. +</p> +<p>“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” Nasmyth +asked. +</p> +<p>“Fairly,” Lisle responded, smiling. “I’ve already +confessed that you people interest me. At the same +time, I had my difficulties—first of all to explain to +the Marples why you didn’t come. The reasons you +gave didn’t sound convincing.” +</p> +<p>“They were good enough. It’s probable that Marple +understood them. Like most of my neighbors, I +go once or twice in a year; his subscription to the otter +hounds entitles him to that.” +</p> +<p>“We don’t look at things in that way in the parts of +Canada I’m acquainted with,” laughed Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Then I’ve no doubt you’ll come to it,” Nasmyth +replied with some dryness. “They’ve done so already +in the older cities. Now—since you’re fond of candor—you +have been glad to earn a dollar or two a day +by chopping and shoveling, haven’t you? Have you +felt left out in the cold at all during the little while you +have spent among us?” +</p> +<p>“Not in the least,” Lisle owned. +</p> +<p>“Then you can infer what you like from that. In +this country, we take a good deal for granted and avoid +explanations. But you haven’t said anything about +the proceedings at Marple’s. I suppose you were invited +to take a hand at cards?” +</p> +<p>“I invited myself; result, sixty dollars to the bad +in half an hour. I used to hold my own in our mining +camps, and I hadn’t the worst cards.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed with unconcealed enjoyment. +</p> +<p>“The only fault I have to find with you Westerners +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +is that you’re rather apt to overrate yourselves. I +suppose they let young Crestwick in a good deal +deeper?” +</p> +<p>“That,” laughed Lisle, “is what you have been leading +up to from the beginning.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll admit it. As I’ve hinted, one of the differences +between an American and an Englishman is that the +former usually expresses more or less forcibly what he +thinks, unless, of course, he’s a financier or a politician; +while you have often to learn by experience what the +latter means. Better use your own methods in telling +me what took place.” +</p> +<p>Lisle did so, omitting any reference to Bella, and +Nasmyth looked disturbed and disgusted. +</p> +<p>“Crestwick’s as devoid of sense as he is of manners; +he deserves to lose. What I can’t get over is that +fellow Batley’s staying in what was once George Gladwyne’s +house, with Clarence standing sponsor for +him.” +</p> +<p>Lisle fancied he could understand. Nasmyth had +his failings, but he had also his simple, drastic code, and +it was repugnant to him that a man of his own caste, +one of a family he had long known and respected, +should countenance an outsider of Batley’s kind and +assist him in fleecing a silly vicious lad. +</p> +<p>“You have no reason to think well of Gladwyne,” +Lisle reminded him. +</p> +<p>“I haven’t,” Nasmyth owned. “Still, though the +man has made one very bad break, I hardly expected +him to exceed every limit. At present it looks as if he +might do so; he’ll probably be forced to.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t quite understand.” +</p> +<p>“Then I’ll have to explain. It’s unpleasant, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +here the thing is, as I see it—Batley’s not the kind of +man Clarence would willingly associate with, and to +give Clarence his dues, all his instinct must make him recoil +from the fellow’s game with Crestwick. Considering +that he’s apparently making no protest against it, +this is proof to me that Batley has some pretty firm hold +on him.” +</p> +<p>“What’s Batley’s profession?” +</p> +<p>“I suspect he’s something in the smart money-lending +line; one of the fellows who deal with minors and +others on post-obits.” +</p> +<p>“Post-obits?” +</p> +<p>“Promises to pay after somebody’s dead. Suppose +there should be only an invalid or an old man between +you and a valuable property; you could borrow on the +strength of your expectations. Now, what Crestwick +told you shows that the person who left him his money +very wisely handed it to trustees, with instructions to +pay him only an allowance until he’s twenty-four. It’s +a somewhat similar case to the one I’ve instanced—he’s +drawing on a capital he can’t get possession of for +two or three years, and no doubt paying an extortionate +interest. So far as I know, no respectable bank or +finance broker would handle that kind of business.” +</p> +<p>“But if the boy died before he succeeded to the +property?” +</p> +<p>“Batley could cover the risk by making Crestwick +take out an insurance policy in his favor.” +</p> +<p>Lisle’s face grew stern, and Nasmyth lay smoking in +silence for a while. Then he broke out again: +</p> +<p>“It’s intolerable! George Gladwyne’s successor +abetting that fellow in robbing the lad, luring him into +wagers and reckless play with the result that most of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +the borrowed money goes straight back into the hands +of the man who lent it!” +</p> +<p>“Have you any suspicion that Gladwyne gets a +share?” +</p> +<p>“No,” replied Nasmyth, with signs of strong uneasiness; +“I can’t believe he benefits in that manner—if +he did, I’d feel it my duty to denounce him. Still, +I expect he wins a little now and then, incidentally.” +</p> +<p>Again there was silence for a while, broken finally +by Lisle. +</p> +<p>“When I’d been here a week or two I began to see +that my task wasn’t quite so simple as it had appeared—you +can’t attack a man situated as Gladwyne is +without hurting innocent people. Indeed, I’ve spent +hours wondering how, when the time comes, I can clear +Vernon’s memory, with the least possible damage—that +is my business, not the punishing of Gladwyne, +though he deserves no consideration. As you say, a +man may make a bad break and pull up again, but this +one has had his chance and has gone in deeper. What +he’s doing now—helping to ruin that lad in cold-blood—is +almost worse than the other offense.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made an acquiescent gesture. +</p> +<p>“It’s true; let it go at that. I don’t see how the +thing can be stopped. There’s a fish rising in the +slack yonder!” +</p> +<p>Lisle saw a silvery gleam in a strip of less-troubled +water behind a boulder and taking up his rod he cast +the gaudy fly across the ripple. There was a jar, a +musical clinking of the reel, and when Nasmyth waded +in with ready net all thought of Gladwyne passed out +of the Canadian’s mind. +</p> +<p>After a few minutes’ keen excitement, they landed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +the beautiful glistening trout; and then they set off +down-stream in search of another, scrambling over +rock and gravel and wading amidst the froth in the +pools. Overhead, soft gray clouds drifted by, casting +long shadows across fern-clad hillside and far-reaching +moor; and the flood flashed into silver gleams and +grew dim again. +</p> +<p>Both of the men were well content with their surroundings, +and now and then Nasmyth wondered why +Clarence could not be satisfied with the simple pleasures +that were freely offered him. He could have had +the esteem of his neighbors and the good will of his +tenants, and there were healthful tasks that would +have kept him occupied—the care of his estate, the +improving of the homes and conditions of life of those +who worked for him, experiments in stock-raising, local +public duties. He had once slipped badly, so badly +that the offense could hardly be contemplated; but that +was when he was weak and famishing and under the +influence of an overwhelming fear. At least, he could +make some reparation by leaving the countryside better +than he found it, and in this he had friends who +would loyally assist him. +</p> +<p>Clarence, however, had chosen another way, one that +led down-hill to further dishonor; and Nasmyth considered +gloomily what the end of it all would be. Occasionally +he glanced at the lithe figure of the Canadian, +standing knee-deep amid the froth of the stream. +Serious-eyed, alert, resolute, he could be depended on +to carry out any purpose he had determined on; it +was his firm hands that would hold Clarence’s scourge. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII_MRS_GLADWYNE_S_APPEAL' id='XII_MRS_GLADWYNE_S_APPEAL'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>MRS. GLADWYNE’S APPEAL</h3> +</div> + +<p>Millicent was sitting in a window-seat with +a paint-box beside her and a drawing of a +water-ouzel upon her knee. It was a lifelike +sketch, but she had a great capacity for painstaking +and she was not altogether pleased with the drawing. +The bird stood on a stone an inch or two above a +stream, its white breast harmonizing with the flecks of +snowy froth, and the rest of its rather somber plumage +of the same hue as a neighboring patch of shadow. +This was as it should be, except that, as the central +object of a picture, it was too inconspicuous. She +was absorbed in contemplating it when Mrs. Gladwyne +was shown in. Clarence’s mother did not pay many +visits and Millicent fancied she had some particular object +in coming. +</p> +<p>She sat down where the sunlight fell on her gentle +face and silvery hair, her delicate white hands spread +out on her dark dress. +</p> +<p>“Busy, as usual, my dear,” she said, glancing at +the sketch. “That’s very pretty.” +</p> +<p>“I think it’s correct,” returned Millicent; “but I’m +not sure it’s what it ought to be in other respects. +You see, its purpose is to show people what a water-ouzel +is like and it’s hard to make the creature out. +Of course, I could have drawn it against a background +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +that would have forced up every line, but that wouldn’t +have been right—these wild things were made to fade +into their surroundings.” She laughed. “Truth is +rigid and uncompromising—it’s difficult to make it +subservient to expediency.” +</p> +<p>Her visitor did not feel inclined to discuss the matter. +</p> +<p>“You’re too fastidious,” she smiled, and added with +a sigh: “George was like that. Little things keep +cropping up every day to show it—I mean in connection +with his care of the property. I’m sometimes +afraid that Clarence is different.” +</p> +<p>Millicent could not deny this, but she did not see +his mother’s purpose in confessing it. +</p> +<p>“Of course,” she answered, as she rang for tea, +“he hasn’t been in charge very long. One can learn +only by experience.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne looked grateful; but although she +was very tranquil there was something in her manner +that hinted at uncertainty. +</p> +<p>“You will finish the book and these pictures some +day,” she said. “What will you do then?” +</p> +<p>“I really don’t know. Perhaps I shall start another. +If not, there is always something I can turn +my hand to. So many things seem to need doing—village +matters alone would find me some occupation.” +</p> +<p>The elder lady considered this. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she agreed with diffidence. “I’m now and +then afraid everything’s not quite so satisfactory as it +used to be. The cottages don’t look so pretty or well +cared for, the people are not so content—some of +them are even inclined to be bitter and resentful. Of +course, things change, our relations with our dependents +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +among them; but I feel that people like the Marples, +living as they do, have a bad effect. They form +a text for the dissatisfied.” +</p> +<p>Millicent contented herself with a nod. She could +not explain that in spite of the changing mode of +thought it is still possible for an old-fashioned landlord +to retain almost everybody’s good will. Sympathy +and tactful advice are appreciated, though not effusively, +and even a bluff, well-meant reproof is seldom +resented. But when rents are rigorously exacted by a +solicitor’s or banker’s clerk, and repairs are cut down, +when indifference takes the place of judicious interest, +it is hardly logical to look for the cordial relations that +might exist. Nasmyth’s tenants stopped and exchanged +a cheery greeting or a jest with him; most of +Gladwyne’s looked grim when he or his friends, the +Marples, passed. +</p> +<p>Then tea was brought in and Millicent found pleasure +in watching her guest. Mrs. Gladwyne made a +picture, she thought, sitting with the dainty china in +her beautiful hands; she possessed the grace and something +of the stateliness which is associated with the +old régime. +</p> +<p>“How quick your people are,” she commented. +“You rang and the things were brought in. Our +staff is large and expensive, but as a rule they keep +us waiting. Though you paint and go out so much, +you have the gift of making a home comfortable. It +really is a gift; one that should not be wasted.” +</p> +<p>Millicent grew serious. It looked as if her companion +were coming to the point, and this became +plainer when Mrs. Gladwyne proceeded. +</p> +<p>“Do you think the life you contemplate—writing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +books on birds and animals—is the best or most natural +one for a woman?” +</p> +<p>A little color crept into the girl’s face. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know; perhaps it isn’t. It is the one that +seems open to me.” +</p> +<p>“The only one, my dear? You must know what I +mean.” +</p> +<p>Millicent turned and faced her. She was disturbed, +but she seldom avoided a plain issue. +</p> +<p>“I think,” she said, “it would be better if you told +me.” +</p> +<p>“It’s difficult.” Mrs. Gladwyne hesitated. “You +must forgive me if I go wrong. Still, you know it +was always expected that you would marry Clarence +some day. It would be so desirable.” +</p> +<p>“For which of us?” Millicent’s tone was sharp. +She sympathized with Mrs. Gladwyne, but something +was due to herself. +</p> +<p>“It was Clarence that I was thinking of,” admitted +her visitor. “I suppose that I am selfish; but I am +his mother.” She laid down her cup and looked at +the girl with pleading eyes. “I must go on, though +I don’t think I could say what I wish to any one but +you. Clarence has many good qualities, but he needs +guidance. An affectionate son; but it is my misfortune +that I am not wise or firm enough to advise or +restrain him. I have dropped behind the new generation; +the standards are different from what they were +when I was young.” +</p> +<p>This was true, but it was incomplete, and Millicent +let her finish. +</p> +<p>“I have been a little anxious, perhaps foolishly so, +about him now and then. I cannot approve of all his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +friends—sometimes they jar on me—and I do not +like the views he seems to have acquired from them. +They are not the ones his father held. Of course, this +is only the result of wrong associations and of having +a good-humored, careless nature; it would be so different +if he could be brought under some wholesome influence.” +She smiled at Millicent. “One could trust +implicitly to yours.” +</p> +<p>It was an old plea, fallacious often, but none the +less effective. Millicent was devoid of officious self-righteousness, +but she was endowed with a compassionate +tenderness which prompted her to extend help +to all who needed it. She thought that Clarence did +so, but in spite of that she did not feel so responsive as +she could have wished. +</p> +<p>“There is one difficulty,” she answered while the +blood crept into her face. “I’ll own that I recognized +what your ideas and George’s were about Clarence and +myself. I may go so far. But of late there has been +nothing to show that Clarence desired to carry out +those ideas.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne gathered her courage. +</p> +<p>“My dear, it is rather hard to say, but the truth is +that a declaration from a man is not usually quite +spontaneous. He looks for some tacit encouragement, +a sign that one is not altogether indifferent to him. +Now it has struck me that during the past year you +have rather stood aloof from my son.” +</p> +<p>Millicent started slightly; there was some truth in +this statement. Mrs. Gladwyne, however, was not wise +enough to stop. +</p> +<p>“I think that is why there is some risk of his falling +into bad hands—that Crestwick girl isn’t diffident,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +she went on. “I know the strong regard he has for +you; but the girl sees a good deal of him, and a man +is sometimes easily led where he does not mean to go.” +</p> +<p>Millicent’s cheeks burned. +</p> +<p>“Do you wish me to compete openly for Clarence’s +favor with Bella Crestwick?” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne spread out her hands in protest. +</p> +<p>“Oh, my dear!” she exclaimed. “I have said the +wrong thing. I warned you that you might have to +forgive me.” +</p> +<p>“But the thought must have been in your mind!” +</p> +<p>“I only meant that you needn’t repel or avoid him, +as you have done of late.” +</p> +<p>Millicent felt compassionate. After all, Mrs. +Gladwyne was pleading for what she believed would +benefit her only son; but the girl was very human +and a trace of her resentment remained. It was, +however, obvious that Mrs. Gladwyne expected some +response. +</p> +<p>“I can venture to promise that I won’t be openly +rude,” Millicent agreed with a faint smile. +</p> +<p>“Can’t you go a little beyond that, my dear?” +</p> +<p>The girl, seeing the look in her eyes, yielded to an +impulse which prompted her to candor. +</p> +<p>“What there is to be said had better be spoken +now,” she replied. “I have confessed that I knew +what was expected—Clarence showed that he knew it, +too—and the idea was not altogether repugnant to +me. But since he came back from Canada there has +been a change in both of us. How or why I can’t explain, +but we have drifted apart. I don’t know +whether this will go on—I don’t understand myself—I +only know that I am as anxious for his welfare as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +I always have been. It must be left to him; there is +nothing you must urge me to do.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne looked regretful, but she made a +sign of acquiescence and rising came toward the girl +and took her hand. +</p> +<p>“What I could do I have done—badly perhaps,” +she said. “I can’t blame you. I am only sorry.” +</p> +<p>She went out in a few minutes and left Millicent in +a thoughtful mood. Looking back on the past, the +girl recognized that she had been fond of Clarence—which +was the best word for it—and that she would +have married him had he urged it. He had, however, +hardly been in a position to do so then, and she remembered +that she had in no way regretted the fact. +This was, she thought, significant. Then the change +had gradually come about. She saw his faults more +clearly and it grew increasingly difficult to believe that +she could eradicate them. What was more, during the +past few weeks she had once or twice felt scornfully +angry with him. She had tried not to yield to the +sensation, and now she wondered how it had originated +and why she was less tolerant. +</p> +<p>As she considered the question, a shadow fell upon +the sunlit lawn and looking up she saw Lisle approaching +with a creel upon his back. She started at the +sight of him and once more felt her cheeks grow hot; +then she smiled, for the half-formed suspicion that had +flashed into her mind was obviously absurd. He saw +her the next moment and strode toward the open window. +</p> +<p>“We got a few good white trout, fresh run,” he +said. “It occurred to me that you might like one or +two of them.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></p> +<p>He glanced at the long French window. +</p> +<p>“May I come in this way?” +</p> +<p>“I’ve no doubt you could do so, but out of deference +to conventional prejudices it might be better if +you went round by the usual entrance.” +</p> +<p>“Charmed!” he smiled. “That’s easy.” +</p> +<p>“Would you rather have it hard?” +</p> +<p>“That wasn’t the idea,” he answered. “I only felt +that a much greater difficulty wouldn’t stop my getting +in.” +</p> +<p>Millicent laughed. +</p> +<p>“If one of my neighbors made such speeches, they’d +sound cheap. From you they’re amusing.” +</p> +<p>He affected to consider this. +</p> +<p>“I suppose the difference is that I mean them. +Anyway, I’ll walk around.” +</p> +<p>She gave him some tea when he came in, and afterward +admired the fish. +</p> +<p>“They’re well above the average weight,” she said. +</p> +<p>“We had two or three that would beat them,” Lisle +declared. “Miss Crestwick came along and corralled +the finest.” +</p> +<p>“Was the explanation essential?” Millicent inquired +with a smile. +</p> +<p>“That was a bad break of mine. So bad that I +won’t try to explain it away.” +</p> +<p>“I think you are wise,” Millicent retorted with a +trace of dryness. +</p> +<p>On the face of it, she was pleased with his answer, +but the fact he had mentioned caused her some irritation. +Bella Crestwick, not content with monopolizing +Clarence, must also seek to include the Canadian in +her train. It was curious that for the moment that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +seemed the more serious offense. The girl was insatiable +and going too far, Millicent thought. +</p> +<p>Lisle noticed her silence. +</p> +<p>“Remember that I’m from the wilds,” he said. +</p> +<p>She smiled at him reassuringly. +</p> +<p>“After all, that isn’t a great drawback. Anyway, +I’m grateful for the trout.” Then, somewhat to his +surprise, she abruptly changed the subject. “I wonder +what you think of a tacit promise?” +</p> +<p>His face grew thoughtful; she liked his quick change +to seriousness. +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t know that my opinion’s of much +value, but you may have it. Supposing two people +allow each other to assume that they’re agreed upon +the same thing, it’s binding upon both of them.” +</p> +<p>“But if only one actually made his wishes clear.” +</p> +<p>“In that case, the other had the option of showing +that they couldn’t be acceded to. Failing that, in +my view, he can’t go back on it.” Then his eyes +gleamed with amusement. “I don’t often set up as a +philosopher.” +</p> +<p>Millicent was a little vexed with herself for asking +him and did not quite understand why she had done so, +unless it was because she had not altogether recovered +her usual collectedness after Mrs. Gladwyne’s visit. +Why she should be interested in this man’s opinion +was not clear, but she thought he was one who would +act in accordance with it. She was afterward even +more astonished at her next remark, which she made +impulsively. +</p> +<p>“You have seen a good deal of Miss Crestwick, +one way or another.” +</p> +<p>He considered this gravely. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span></p> +<p>“Yes,” he replied. “I like her. For one thing, +she’s genuinely concerned about that brother of hers.” +</p> +<p>“What do you think of him?” +</p> +<p>“Not much,” Lisle answered candidly. “I’ve no +use for a man who needs a woman to keep him straight +and look after him. But one feels a strong respect +for the woman, even though it’s obvious that she’s +wasting her time.” +</p> +<p>“Is it wasting time?” +</p> +<p>“It strikes me like that. A man of that sort is +bound to come down badly some day.” +</p> +<p>Millicent sat silent a while. The conversation had +taken an unusually serious turn, but she wondered +whether he were right. She had, she thought, allowed +Clarence to assume that she would not repulse him +when he formally claimed her and that—so this man +from the wilds considered—constituted a binding obligation. +She could not contest this view; but Clarence +seemed more interested in Bella Crestwick than +he was in her. Then she wondered why the girl had +made so much of Lisle, unless it was to use him for +the purpose of drawing Clarence on. If that were +so, it seemed a pity that the confiding Canadian could +not be warned, though that, of course, was out of the +question. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I’m not very amusing to-day,” she acknowledged. +</p> +<p>He smiled. +</p> +<p>“I’ll go the moment you want to get rid of me; but, +even if you don’t say anything, I like sitting here. +This place rests me.” +</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t have imagined you to be of a very +restful nature.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p> +<p>“Oh,” he declared, “there’s a kind of quietness that +braces you.” +</p> +<p>He was less reserved than the average Englishman, +but he felt the charm of his surroundings more keenly +than the latter would probably have done. Everything +in the room was artistic, but its effect was deeper +than mere prettiness. It was cool, though the autumn +sunshine streamed in, and the girl had somehow impressed +her personality upon it. Soft colorings, furniture, +even the rather incongruous mixture of statuettes +and ivory carvings, blended into a harmonious +whole, and the girl made a most satisfactory central +figure, as she sat opposite him in her unusually +thoughtful mood. He felt the charm of her presence, +though he could hardly have analyzed it. As he said, +it was not even needful that she should talk to him. +</p> +<p>“There are lakes in British Columbia from which +you can look straight up at the never-melting snows,” +he went on. “You feel that you could sit there for +hours, without wanting to move or speak, though it +must be owned that one very seldom gets the opportunity.” +</p> +<p>“Why?” Millicent inquired. +</p> +<p>“As a rule, the people who visit such places are +kept too busy chopping big trees, hauling canoes +round rapids, or handling heavy rocks. Besides, you +have your food to cook and your clothes to mend and +wash.” +</p> +<p>“Then, after the day’s labor, a man must do his +own domestic work?” +</p> +<p>“Of course,” answered Lisle. “Now and then one +comes back to camp too wet or played out to worry, +and goes to sleep without getting supper. I’m speaking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +of when you’re working for your own hand. In +a big logging or construction camp you reach the +fringe of cooperation. This man sticks to the saw, +the other to the ax, somebody else who gets his share +of the proceeds chops the cord-wood and does the +cooking.” +</p> +<p>“And if you can neither chop nor saw nor cook?” +</p> +<p>“Then,” Lisle informed her dryly, “you have to +pull out pretty quick.” +</p> +<p>“It sounds severe; that’s cooperation in its grimmest +aspect, though it’s quite logical—everybody +must do his part. I’m afraid I shouldn’t be justified +if we adopted it here.” +</p> +<p>“Cooperation implies a division of tasks,” Lisle +pointed out. “In a country like this, they’re many +and varied. So long as you draw the wild things as +you do, you’ll discharge your debt.” +</p> +<p>“Do you know that that’s the kind of work the community +generally pays one very little for?” +</p> +<p>“Then it shows its wrong-headedness,” Lisle answered +as he glanced meaningly round the room. “But +haven’t you got part of your fee already? Of course, +that’s impertinent.” +</p> +<p>“I believe we would shrink from saying it, but it’s +quite correct,” Millicent replied. “Still, since you +have mentioned the drawings, I’d like your opinion +about this ouzel.” +</p> +<p>She took up the sketch and explained the difficulty, +as she had done to Mrs. Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>“It’s right; don’t alter it,” advised Lisle. “It’s +your business to show people the real thing as it actually +is, so they can learn, not to alter it to suit their +untrained views.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></p> +<p>He laughed and rose somewhat reluctantly. +</p> +<p>“After that, I’d better get along. I have to thank +you for allowing me to come in.” +</p> +<p>She let him go with a friendly smile, and then sat +down to think about him. He was rather direct, but +the good-humor with which he stated his opinions +softened their positiveness. Besides, she had invited +them; and she felt that they were correct. He was +such another as Nasmyth, simple in some respects, but +reliable; one who could never be guilty of anything +mean. She liked the type in general, and she admitted +that she liked this representative of it in particular. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_A_FUTILE_PROTEST' id='XIII_A_FUTILE_PROTEST'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>A FUTILE PROTEST</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in +hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside +the hearth. A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic +fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and +the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished +floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice +into the shadow. Heavily-corniced bookcases rose +above it on either band, conveying an idea of space +and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they +receded from the light. +</p> +<p>The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, +and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of +brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked +in harmony with it. Something in his finely-lined figure +and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at +home in such a place. A decanter stood near his elbow, +but it was almost full. Gladwyne, in many ways, was +more of an ascetic than a sensualist, though this was +less the result of moral convictions than of a fastidious +temperament. The man had an instinctive aversion +for anything that was ugly or unpleasant. His +companion, dressed with an equal precision, looked different, +more virile, coarser; he was fuller in figure and +heavier in face. +</p> +<p>“No,” declared Gladwyne with a show of firmness; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +“the line must be drawn. I’ve already gone farther +than I should have done.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry for you, Gladwyne—you don’t seem +to realize that a man can’t very well play two widely +different parts at once,” Batley rejoined, smiling. +“Your interfering Canadian friend would describe your +attitude as sitting upon the fence. It’s an uncomfortable +position, one that’s not often tenable for any +length of time. Hadn’t you better make up your mind +as to which side you’ll get down on?” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne looked uneasy. The choice all his instinct +prompted him to make was not open to him, except at +a cost which he was hardly prepared to face. He was +known as a bold rider, he had the steady nerves that +usually result from a life spent in the open air, but, as +Batley recognized, he lacked stamina. +</p> +<p>“You are going wide of the mark,” he answered. +“What I have asked you to do is to let the lad alone. +The thing’s exciting comment. You”—he hesitated—“have +made enough out of him.” +</p> +<p>“I think,” replied the other coolly, “I was very +much to the point. If you don’t recognize this, I’ll +ask: Suppose I don’t fall in with your request, what +then?” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne examined his cigar. It was not in his nature +to face an issue boldly, and his companion seemed +determined to force one. +</p> +<p>“I’ve asked it as a favor,” he finally said. +</p> +<p>“No,” corrected Batley; “I don’t think you did so. +You intimated your wishes in a rather lordly style.” +</p> +<p>This was true, but Gladwyne winced at the man’s +cold smile. He had, in a fit of indignation which was +both honest and commendable, expressed himself with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +some haughtiness; but he knew that he would be beaten +if it came to an open fight. This was unfortunate, because +his intentions were good. +</p> +<p>“Besides,” Batley continued, “I’m not in a position +to grant expensive favors. My acquaintance with +young Crestwick is, of course, profitable. What’s +more, I’ve very liberally offered you a share.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne’s face grew hot. He had acted, most reluctantly, +as a decoy to the vicious lad, but he had +never benefited by it, except when now and then some +stake fell into his hands. The suggestion that he +should share in the plunder filled him with disgust, and +he knew that Batley had made it to humiliate him. +</p> +<p>“You’re taking risks,” he continued. “There’s +legislation on the subject of minors’ debts; Crestwick +began to deal with you before he was twenty-one, and +he’s still in his trustees’ hands. If he made trouble, +I’m inclined to think some of your transactions would +look very much like conspiracy.” +</p> +<p>“I know my man. You people would suffer a good +deal, sooner than advertise yourselves through the law +courts.” +</p> +<p>“Crestwick isn’t one of us,” Gladwyne objected. +</p> +<p>“Then, as he aspires to be considered one, he’ll go +even farther than you would. None are so keen for +the honor of the flock as those who don’t strictly belong +to the fold. There’s another point you overlook—a +person can’t very well conspire alone, and inquiries +might be made about my confederates. That, however, +is not a matter of much importance, because I +imagine Miss Crestwick would not allow any one to +point to you. Besides, her money’s safe, and she’s a +prepossessing young lady.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></p> +<p>Gladwyne straightened himself sharply in his chair. +“Don’t go too far! There are things I won’t stand!” +</p> +<p>“Then we’ll try to avoid them. All I require is +that you still give the lad the entry of this house and +don’t interfere with me. You see I’m reasonable.” +</p> +<p>As Gladwyne had interfered, to acquiesce was to +own defeat, which was galling, and while he hesitated +Batley watched him with an air of indulgent amusement. +</p> +<p>“It’s a pity you were not quite straight with me at +the beginning, Gladwyne; it would have saved you +trouble,” he remarked at length. “I took a sporting +risk at pretty long odds—I have to do so now and +then and I pay up when I lose. But if I’d known the +money was to go to Miss Gladwyne and you would only +get the land, I’d never have kept you supplied; and +in particular I wouldn’t have made the last big loan +shortly before you and your cousin sailed for Canada.” +</p> +<p>“You knew it was a blind speculation—that I ran +the same risk as George did, and that he might outlive +me.” +</p> +<p>“You’re wrong on one point,” Batley objected +dryly. “I’m acquainted with your temperament—it’s +not one that would lead you into avoidable difficulties. +Well, you came through and your cousin died, +but you failed to pay me off when you came into possession.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve explained that I couldn’t foresee the trouble +I have in meeting expenses. I’ve paid you an extortionate +interest.” +</p> +<p>“That’s in arrears,” retorted Batley. “You +should have pinched and denied yourself to the utmost +until you had got rid of me. You couldn’t bring yourself +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +to do so—well, it’s rather a pity one can’t have +everything.” +</p> +<p>Approaching the table, he quietly took up the lamp. +It was heavy, standing on a massive silver pillar, but +he raised it above his head so that the light streamed +far about the stately room. Then he laughed as he +set it down. +</p> +<p>“It’s something to be the owner of such a place +and enjoy all that it implies—which includes your +acknowledged status and your neighbors’ respect. +There would be a risk of losing the latter if it came +out that, driven by financial strain, you had been speculating +on your cousin’s death.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne made a little abrupt movement and Batley +saw that his shot had told. +</p> +<p>“It would be enough to place you under a cloud,” +he went on. “People might think that you had at +least not been very reluctant to leave him to starve. +Well, I’ve had to wait for my money, with the interest +by no means regularly paid, and unless you can square +off the account, I must ask you to leave me a free hand +to deal with Crestwick as I think fit. In return, if +it’s needful, I’ll see you through on reasonable terms +until you marry Miss Crestwick or somebody else with +money.” +</p> +<p>On the whole, Gladwyne was conscious of relief. +He had been badly frightened for a moment or two. +If Batley, who had good reasons for distrusting him, +had accepted his account of his cousin’s death, it was +most unlikely that it had excited suspicion in the mind +of anybody else. Crestwick, however, must be left to +his fate. It was, though he failed to recognize this, +an eventful decision that Gladwyne made. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span></p> +<p>“As you will,” he answered, rising. “It’s late; +I’m going for my candle.” +</p> +<p>He strode out of the room, and Batley smiled as he +followed him. +</p> +<p>A day or two later Lisle stood on Gladwyne’s lawn. +Gladwyne entertained freely, and though his neighbors +did not approve of all of his friends, the man had the +gift of pleasing, and his mother unconsciously exerted +a charm on every one. She rarely said anything witty, +but she never said anything unkind and she would +listen with a ready sympathy that sometimes concealed +a lack of comprehension. +</p> +<p>Lisle had a strong respect for the calm, gracious +lady, though she had won it by no more than a smile +or two and a few pleasant words, and he went over to +call upon her every now and then. He was interested +in the company he met at her house; it struck him as +worth studying; and he had a curious feeling that he +was looking on at the preliminary stages of a drama in +which he might presently be called upon to play a leading +part. Besides, he had reasons for watching Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>The stage was an attractive one to a man who had +spent much of his time in the wilderness—a wide sweep +of sunlit sward with the tennis nets stretched across +part of it; on one side a dark fir wood; and for a +background a stretch of brown moor receding into the +distance, dimmed by an ethereal haze. A group of +young men and women, picturesquely clad, were busy +about the nets; others in flannels and light draperies +strolled here and there across the grass, and a few more +had gathered about the tea-table under a spreading +cedar, where Mrs. Gladwyne sat in a low wicker-chair. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +Over all there throbbed the low, persistent +murmur of a stream. +</p> +<p>Lisle was talking to Millicent near the table. He +looked up as a burst of laughter rose from beside the +nets and saw Bella Crestwick walk away from them. +One or two of the others stood looking after her, and +Mrs. Gladwyne glanced from her chair inquiringly. +</p> +<p>“They seem amused,” she said. +</p> +<p>“It was probably at one of Miss Crestwick’s remarks; +she’s undoubtedly original,” returned Millicent. +“Still, I think it was chiefly Mr. Marple’s laugh you +heard.” +</p> +<p>His voice had been most in evidence—it usually +carried far—but Lisle was half amused at the disapproval +in the girl’s tone. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I’m now and then a little boisterous, +too,” he ventured. +</p> +<p>“It depends a good deal upon what you laugh at,” +Millicent informed him. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne looked up again, as if she had not +heard, and the girl smiled at her. +</p> +<p>“What I said isn’t worth repeating.” +</p> +<p>She moved away a pace or two and Lisle watched +Bella, who glanced once or twice in his direction as she +crossed the lawn. Somehow he felt that he was wanted +and a little later he strolled after the girl. Millicent +noticed it with a slight frown, though she did not +trouble to ask herself why she was vexed. When Lisle +reached Bella, she regarded him with mischief in her +eyes. +</p> +<p>“As I once mentioned, you learn rapidly,” she +laughed. “You’ll be thankful for the instruction +some day, and I promise not to teach you anything +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +very detrimental. But I’m a little surprised that Millicent +Gladwyne allowed you to come.” +</p> +<p>“I dare say she could spare me; I’m not a very entertaining +companion,” Lisle said humbly. +</p> +<p>“It wasn’t that,” Bella explained. “I don’t think +she’d like you spoiled—perhaps I should say contaminated; +she has ideas on the subject of education, +too. She always calls me Miss Crestwick, which is +significant; I’ve no doubt she did so when Marple made +himself conspicuous by his amusement just now.” +</p> +<p>Lisle had noticed the correctness of her assumptions +on other occasions, but he said nothing, for he had +noticed some bitterness in her voice. He walked on +with her and she led him into a path through a shrubbery +bordering the lawn, where she sat down on a +wooden seat. +</p> +<p>“Now,” she said teasingly, “we have given the +others something to think about; but I’ve really no +designs on you. It wouldn’t be much use, anyway. +You’re safe.” +</p> +<p>She looked up at him with elfish mischief in her aggressively +pretty face. Dressed in some clinging +fabric of pale watery green that matched the greenish +light in her eyes and the reddish gleam in her hair, +she was very alluring; but it was borne in upon Lisle +that to take up her challenge too boldly would lower +him in the girl’s regard. +</p> +<p>“I’m human,” he laughed. “Perhaps I’d better +mention it. But I think it’s more to the purpose to say +that I’m altogether at your disposal.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” she answered, “I wanted you. As you’re +almost a stranger, it’s curious, isn’t it? But, you see, +I haven’t a real friend in the world.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p> +<p>“I wonder if that can be quite correct?” +</p> +<p>“So far as the people here go, haven’t you eyes?” +</p> +<p>Lisle had seen the men gather about her, but it was +those he thought least of who followed her most closely, +and the women stood aloof. +</p> +<p>“There are Miss Marple and her mother, anyway; +they’re friends of yours,” he pointed out. +</p> +<p>“Just so. Flo and I are in the same class, making +the same fight; but that isn’t always a reason for mutual +appreciation or support. Mrs. Marple, of course, +is her daughter’s partizan, though in some ways it +suits us to stand together. But I didn’t bring you +here to listen to my grievances, but because you happen +to be the one man I can trust.” +</p> +<p>Lisle looked embarrassed, but merely bent his head. +</p> +<p>“It’s that silly brother of mine again,” she went on. +</p> +<p>“What has he been doing now?” +</p> +<p>“It’s what he’s thinking of doing that’s the worst. +He has been led to believe it’s easy to acquire riches +on the stock exchange and that he has the makings of +a successful speculator in him. Cards and the turf +I’ve had to tolerate—after all, there were ways in +which he got some return for what he spent on them—but +this last craze may be disastrous.” +</p> +<p>“Where did he get the idea that he’s a financial +genius? It wouldn’t be from you.” +</p> +<p>“No,” she said seriously; “I’m his sister and most +unlikely to encourage him in such delusions. I don’t +think Batley had much trouble in putting the notion +into his mind.” Her expression suddenly changed. +“How I hate that man!” +</p> +<p>Lisle looked down at her with grave sympathy. +</p> +<p>“It’s quite easy to get into difficulties by speculating, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +unless one has ample means. But I understood—” +</p> +<p>Bella checked him with a gesture. +</p> +<p>“Jim comes into money—we have a good allowance +now—but it will be nearly two years before he +gets possession. I want him to start fair when he +may, perhaps, have learned a little sense, and not to +find himself burdened with debts and associates he +can’t get rid of. At present, Batley’s lending him +money at exorbitant interest. I’ve pleaded, I’ve +stormed and told him plain truths; but it isn’t the +least use.” +</p> +<p>“I see. Why don’t you take him away?” +</p> +<p>“He won’t come. It would be worse if I left him.” +</p> +<p>“Do you know why Gladwyne tolerates Batley?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t.” Bella looked up sharply. “What has +that to do with it?” +</p> +<p>Lisle thought it had a bearing on the matter, as the +lad would have seen less of Batley without Gladwyne’s +connivance. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he countered, “what would you like me to +do?” +</p> +<p>“It’s difficult to answer. He’s obstinate and resents +advice. You might, however, talk to him when +you have a chance; he’s beginning to have a respect +for your opinions.” +</p> +<p>“That’s gratifying,” Lisle commented dryly. +“He was inclined to patronize me at first.” +</p> +<p>She spread out her hands. +</p> +<p>“You’re too big to mind it! Tell him anything +you can about disastrous mining ventures; but don’t +begin as if you meant to warn him—lead up to the +subject casually.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>“I’m afraid I’m not very tactful,” Lisle confessed. +“He’ll see what I’m after.” +</p> +<p>“It’s not very likely. Talk as if you considered +him a man of experience. It’s fortunate that you can +be of help in this case, because I think some Canadian +mining shares are to be the latest deal. From what +Jim said it looks as if Batley was to give him some information +about them on Wednesday, when Gladwyne +and he are expected at Marple’s. Can’t you come? +I understand you have been asked.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” promised Lisle. “If I have an opportunity, +I’ll see what can be done.” +</p> +<p>Bella rose and smiled at him. +</p> +<p>“We’ll go back; I’m comforted already. You’re +not profuse, but one feels that you will keep a +promise.” +</p> +<p>They walked across the lawn, Bella now conversing +in an animated strain about unimportant matters, +though it did not occur to Lisle that this was for the +benefit of the lookers-on. On approaching the tea-table, +she adroitly secured possession of a chair which +another lady who stood higher in her hostess’s esteem +was making for, and sitting down chatted cheerfully +with Mrs. Gladwyne. Lisle was conscious of some +amusement as he watched her. She was clever and +her courage appealed to him; but presently he saw +Millicent and strolled toward where she was standing. +She spoke to him, but he thought she was not quite so +gracious as she had been before he went away. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV_LISLE_COMES_TO_THE_RESCUE' id='XIV_LISLE_COMES_TO_THE_RESCUE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>LISLE COMES TO THE RESCUE</h3> +</div> + +<p>A few days after his interview with Bella, Lisle +overtook Millicent as she was walking up a +wooded dale. She looked around with a smile +when he joined her and they fell into friendly talk. +There were points on which they differed, but a sense +of mutual appreciation was steadily growing stronger +between them. Presently Lisle happened to mention +the Marples, and Millicent glanced at him thoughtfully. +She knew that he met Bella at their house. +</p> +<p>“You have seen a good deal of these people, one +way or another,” she remarked. +</p> +<p>“These people? Aren’t you a little prejudiced +against them?” +</p> +<p>“I suppose I am,” Millicent confessed. +</p> +<p>“Then won’t you give me the reason? Your point +of view isn’t always clear to an outsider.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll try to be lucid. I don’t so much object to +Marple as I do to what he stands for; I mean to modern +tendency.” +</p> +<p>“That’s as involved as ever.” +</p> +<p>The girl showed a little good-humored impatience. +She did not care to supply the explanation—it was +against her instincts—and she was inclined to wonder +why she should do so merely because the man had +asked for it. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></p> +<p>“Well,” she said, “the feudal system isn’t dead, +and I believe that what is best in it need never disappear +altogether. Of course, it had its drawbacks, +but I think it was better than the commercialism that +is replacing it. It recognized obligations on both +sides, and there is a danger of forgetting them; the +new people often fail to realize them at all. Marple—I’m +using him as an example—bought the land for +what he could get out of it.” +</p> +<p>“About three per cent., he told me. It isn’t a +great inducement.” +</p> +<p>Millicent made a half-disdainful gesture. +</p> +<p>“He gets a great deal more—sport, a status, +friends and standing, and a means of suitably entertaining +them. That, I suppose, is one reason why the +return in money from purely agricultural land is so +small.” +</p> +<p>“Then is it wrong for a business man to buy these +things, if he can pay for them?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no! But he must take up the duties attached +to his purchase. When you buy land, human lives +go with it. They’re still largely in the landlord’s +hands. Of course, we have legislation which has curtailed +the land-owner’s former powers, but it’s a soulless, +mechanical thing that can never really take the +place of direct personal interest.” +</p> +<p>She stopped and glanced back down the winding +dale. Here and there smooth pastures climbed the +slopes that shut it in, but over part of them ranged +mighty oaks, still almost green. Beyond these, beeches +tinted with brown and crimson glowed against the +dusky foliage of spruces and silver-firs. +</p> +<p>“One needs wisdom, love of the soil and all that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +lives on it, and perhaps patience most of all,” she resumed. +“These woods are an example. They are not +natural like your forests—every tree has been carefully +planted and as it grew the young sheltering +wood about it carefully thinned out. Then as the +trunks gained in size it was necessary to choose with +care and cut. With the oaks it’s a work of generations, +planting for one’s great-grandchildren, and the +point that is suggested most clearly is the continuity +of interest that should exist between the men who use +the spade and ax and the men who own and plan. +It is not a little thing that the third and fourth generations +should complete the task, when a mutual toleration +and dependence is handed down.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was conscious of a curious stirring of his +feelings as he listened to her. She was tall and finely +proportioned, endowed with a calm and gracious dignity +which was nevertheless, he thought, in keeping +with a sanguine and virile nature. This girl was one +of the fairest and most precious products of the soil +she loved. +</p> +<p>“It’s a pity in many ways that the Gladwyne property +didn’t come to you,” he observed. +</p> +<p>Her expression changed and he spread out one hand +deprecatingly. +</p> +<p>“That’s another blunder of mine. I haven’t acquired +your people’s unfailing caution yet, but I only +meant—” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps it would be better if you didn’t tell me +what you did mean.” +</p> +<p>Lisle nodded. He felt that he had deserved the rebuke, +as the truth of his assertion could not be admitted +without disparaging Gladwyne. She would allow +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +nothing to the latter’s discredit to be said by a +stranger, but it was unpleasant to think that she regarded +him as one. He changed the subject. +</p> +<p>“You mentioned that landlord and laborer had a +joint interest in the soil, and that’s undoubtedly +right,” he said. “The point where trouble arises is, +of course, over the division of the yield. The former’s +share is obvious, but nowadays plowman and forester +want more than their fathers seem to have been satisfied +with. I don’t think you can blame them—in Canada +they get more.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll give you an instance to show why one can’t +treat them very liberally. When my brother got possession +he spent a great deal of money—it was left +him by his mother and didn’t come out of the land—in +draining, improvements, and rebuilding homesteads +and cottages, besides freely giving his time and care. +For a number of years he got no return at all, and +part of the expenditure will always be unproductive. +It isn’t a solitary case.” +</p> +<p>They went on together through the shadowy, crimson-tinted +dale until Millicent stopped at the gate of a +field-road. +</p> +<p>“I am going to one of the cottages yonder,” she +explained. “I expect Nasmyth on Wednesday evening. +Are you coming with him?” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry, but I’m going to Marple’s. You see, +I promised.” +</p> +<p>“Promised Marple?” +</p> +<p>He was learning to understand her, for though she +showed no marked sign of displeasure he knew that +she was not gratified. +</p> +<p>“No,” he answered; “Miss Crestwick.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span></p> +<p>She did not speak, but there was something in her +manner that hinted at disdainful amusement. +</p> +<p>“I think you’re hardly fair to her,” he said. +</p> +<p>“It’s possible,” Millicent replied carelessly. “Does +it matter?” +</p> +<p>“Well,” he broke out with some warmth, “the girl +hasn’t such an easy time among you; and one can only +respect her for the way she stands by her brother.” +</p> +<p>“Have you anything to say in his favor?” +</p> +<p>“It would be pretty difficult,” admitted Lisle. +“But you can’t blame his sister for that.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think I’ve shown any desire to do so,” she +retorted. +</p> +<p>Lisle knit his brows. +</p> +<p>“You people are rather curious in your ideas. +Now, here’s a lonely girl who’s pluckily trying to look +after that senseless lad, and not a one of you can +spare her a word of sympathy, because she doesn’t run +on the same stereotyped lines as you do. Can you +help only the people who will conform?” +</p> +<p>Millicent let this pass, and after an indifferent word +or two she turned away. Before she reached home, +however, she met Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>“Why don’t you keep Mr. Lisle out of those Marples’ +hands?” she asked him. +</p> +<p>“In the first place, I’m not sure that I could do so; +in the second, I don’t see why I should try,” Nasmyth +replied. “On the whole, considering that he’s a +Western miner, I don’t think he’s running a serious +risk. Perhaps I might hint that Bella Crestwick’s +hardly likely to consider him as big enough game.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t be coarse!” Millicent paused. “But he +spoke hotly in her defense.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span></p> +<p>“After all,” responded Nasmyth, “I shouldn’t wonder +if she deserves it; but it has no significance. You +see, he’s a rather chivalrous person.” +</p> +<p>Millicent flashed a quick glance at him, but his face +was expressionless. +</p> +<p>“What did he say?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“I don’t remember exactly: he hinted that we were +narrow-minded and uncharitable.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. +</p> +<p>“I almost think there’s some truth in it. I’ve seen +you a little severe on those outside the fold.” +</p> +<p>“A man’s charity is apt to be influenced by a pretty +face,” Millicent retorted. +</p> +<p>“I’ll admit it,” replied Nasmyth dryly. “But I +can’t undertake to determine how far that fact has +any bearing on this particular instance.” +</p> +<p>Millicent talked about something else, but she was +annoyed with herself when the question Nasmyth had +raised once more obtruded itself on her attention during +the evening. +</p> +<p>On Wednesday Lisle walked over to Marple’s house, +because he had promised to go, though he would much +rather have spent an hour or two with Nasmyth and +Millicent in the latter’s drawing-room. He had no +opportunity for any private speech with Bella, but +she flung him a grateful glance as he came in. He +waited patiently and followed her brother here and +there, but he could not secure a word with him alone. +</p> +<p>Some time had passed when, escaping from a group +engaged in what struck him as particularly stupid +badinage, he sauntered toward the billiard-room, struggling +with a feeling of irritation. He was generally +good-humored and tolerant rather than hypercritical, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +but the somewhat senseless hilarity of Marple’s guests +was beginning to jar on him. A burst of laughter +which he thought had been provoked by one of Bella’s +sallies followed him down the corridor, but when he +quietly opened the door the billiard-room was empty +except for a group of three in one corner. He stopped +just inside the threshold, glancing at them, and it +was evident that they had not heard his approach. +</p> +<p>Wreaths of cigar smoke drifted about the room; +the light of the shaded lamps fell upon the men seated +on a lounge, and their expressions and attitudes were +significant. Gladwyne leaned back languidly graceful; +Batley, a burlier figure, was talking, his eyes fixed +on Crestwick; and the lad sat upright, looking eager. +Batley appeared to be discussing the principles of +operating on the stock exchange. +</p> +<p>“It’s obvious,” he said, “that there’s very little to +be made by waiting until any particular stock becomes +a popular favorite—the premium equalizes the profit +and sometimes does away with it. The essential thing +is to take hold at the beginning, when the shares are +more or less in disfavor and can be picked up cheap.” +</p> +<p>Lisle stood still—he was in the shadow—watching +the lad, who now showed signs of uncertainty. +</p> +<p>“I dropped a good deal of money the last time I +tried it,” he protested. “The trouble is that if you +come in when the company’s starting, you can’t form +an accurate idea of how it ought to go.” +</p> +<p>“Exactly,” replied Batley. “You can rarely be +quite sure. What you need is sound judgment, the +sense to recognize a good thing when you see it, +pluck, and the sporting instinct—you must be ready +to back your opinion and take a risk. It’s only the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +necessity for that kind of thing which makes it a fine +game.” +</p> +<p>He broke off, looking up, and as Lisle strolled forward +with a glance at Crestwick, he saw Batley’s +genial expression change. It was evident that the +idea of being credited with the qualities mentioned appealed +to the lad, and Lisle realized that Batley was +wishing him far away. He had, however, no intention +of withdrawing, and taking out a cigar he chose +a cue and awkwardly proceeded to practise a shot. +</p> +<p>“This,” he said nonchalantly, “is an amusement I +never had time to learn, and I really came along for a +quiet smoke. Don’t let me disturb you.” +</p> +<p>He saw Crestwick’s look and understood what was +in the lad’s mind. It was incomprehensible to the +latter that a man should boldly confess his ignorance +of a game of high repute. Batley, however, seeing +that the intruder intended to remain, returned to the +attack, and though he spoke in a lower voice Lisle +caught part of his remarks and decided that he was +cleverly playing upon Crestwick’s raw belief in himself. +This roused the Canadian to indignation, +though it was directed against Gladwyne rather than +his companion. Batley, he thought, was to some +extent an adventurer, one engaged in a hazardous +business at which he could not always win, and he had +some desirable qualities—good-humor, liberality, +coolness and daring. The well-bred gentleman who +served as his decoy, however, possessed none of these +redeeming characteristics. His part was merely despicable; +there was only meanness beneath his polished +exterior. +</p> +<p>“It certainly looks promising,” Lisle heard Crestwick +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +say; “you have pretty well convinced me that +it can’t go wrong.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t see any serious risk,” declared Batley. +“That, in the case of mining stock, is as far as I’d +care to go. On the other hand, there’s every prospect +of a surprising change in the value of the shares as +soon as the results of the first reduction of ore come +out. I can only add that I’m a holder and I got you +the offer of the shares as a favor from a friend who’s +behind the scenes. Don’t take them unless you feel +inclined.” +</p> +<p>This was a slip, as Lisle recognized. It is not in +human nature to dispose of a commodity that will +shortly increase in value. Crestwick, however, obviously +failed to notice this; Lisle thought the idea of +getting on to the inside track appealed to his vanity. +</p> +<p>“It’s a curious name they’ve given the mine,” commented +the lad, repeating it. “What does it mean?” +</p> +<p>Lisle started, for he recognized the name, and it +offered him a lead. Strolling toward the group, he +leaned against the table. +</p> +<p>“I can tell you that,” he said. “It’s an Indian +word for a river gorge. I went up it not long ago.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” exclaimed Crestwick, “I suppose you +know the mine?” +</p> +<p>Lisle glanced at the others. Their eyes were fixed +upon him, Batley’s steadily, Gladwyne’s with a hint +of uneasiness. It was, he felt, a remarkable piece of +good fortune that had given him control of the situation. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he answered carelessly, “I know the mine.” +</p> +<p>“I’m thinking of taking shares in it,” Crestwick informed +him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></p> +<p>“Well,” said Lisle, “that wouldn’t be wise.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne leaned farther back in his seat, as if to +disassociate himself from the discussion, which was +what the Canadian had expected from him; but Batley, +who was of more resolute fiber, showed fight. His +appearance became aggressive, his face hardened, and +there was a snap in his eyes. +</p> +<p>“You have made a serious allegation in a rather +startling way, Mr. Lisle. As I’ve an interest in the +company in question, I must ask you to explain.” +</p> +<p>“Then I’d advise you to get rid of your interest +as soon as possible; that is, so long as you don’t sell +out to Crestwick, who’s a friend of mine.” +</p> +<p>Batley’s face began to redden, and Lisle, looking +around at the sound of a footstep, saw Marple standing +a pace or two away. He was a fussy, bustling +man, and he raised his hand in expostulation. +</p> +<p>“Was that last called for, or quite the thing, +Lisle?” he asked. +</p> +<p>Batley turned to Gladwyne, as if for support, and +the latter assumed his finest air. +</p> +<p>“I think there can be only one opinion on that +point,” he declared. +</p> +<p>Lisle’s eyes gleamed with an amusement that was +stronger than his indignation. That Gladwyne +should expect this gravely delivered decision to have +any marked effect tickled him. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he replied, “I’m ready to stand by what +I said, and I’ll add that if I had any shares I’d give +them away to anybody who would register as their +owner before the next call is made.” +</p> +<p>“I understood there wouldn’t be a call for a long +while,” Crestwick broke in. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></p> +<p>“Then whoever told you so must have been misinformed,” +Lisle rejoined. +</p> +<p>“Are you casting any doubt upon my honor?” +Batley demanded in a bellicose voice. +</p> +<p>“I don’t think so; anyway, so long as you don’t +rule out my suggestion. Still, I’m willing to leave +Gladwyne to decide the point. He seems to understand +these delicate matters.” +</p> +<p>Marple, looking distressed and irresolute, broke in +before Gladwyne had a chance to reply. +</p> +<p>“Do you know much about mining, Lisle?” +</p> +<p>Lisle laughed. +</p> +<p>“I’ve had opportunities for learning something, as +prospector, locator of alluvial claims and holder of an +interest in one or two comparatively prosperous companies.” +</p> +<p>He leaned forward and touched Crestwick’s shoulder. +</p> +<p>“Come along, Jim, and I’ll give you one or two particulars +that should decide you.” +</p> +<p>Somewhat to his astonishment, the lad rose and +rather sheepishly followed him. There was an awkward +silence for a few moments after they left the +room; then Marple turned to his guests. +</p> +<p>“I can’t undertake to say whether Lisle was justified +or not,” he began. “I’m sorry, however, that +anything of this nature should have happened in my +house.” +</p> +<p>“So am I,” said Gladwyne with gracious condescension. +“There is, of course, one obvious remedy.” +</p> +<p>Marple raised his hands in expostulation. He liked +Lisle, and Gladwyne was a distinguished guest. Batley +seemed to find his confusion amusing. +</p> +<p>“I think the only thing we can do is to let the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +matter drop,” he suggested. “These fellows from the +wilds are primitive—one can’t expect too much. The +correct feeling or delicacy of expression we’d look for +among ourselves is hardly in their line.” +</p> +<p>Marple was mollified, and he fell in with Batley’s +suggestion that they should try a game. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile, Crestwick looked around at his +companion as they went down the corridor. +</p> +<p>“I believe I owe you some thanks,” he admitted. +“I like the way you headed off Batley—I think he +meant to turn savage at first—and I wouldn’t have +been willing to draw in Gladwyne, as you did. He has +a way of crushing you with a look.” +</p> +<p>“It’s merely a sign that you deserve it,” Lisle +laughed. “You take too many things for granted in +this country. Test another man’s assumption of +superiority before you agree with it, and you’ll sometimes +be astonished to find out what it’s really founded +on. And now we’d better join those people who’re +singing.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_BELLA_S_DEFEAT' id='XV_BELLA_S_DEFEAT'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>BELLA’S DEFEAT</h3> +</div> + +<p>The afternoon was calm and hazy, and Lisle +lounged with great content in a basket-chair +on Millicent’s lawn. His hostess sat near by, +looking listless, a somewhat unusual thing for her, +and Miss Hume, her elderly companion, genial in spite +of her precise formality, was industriously embroidering +something not far away. There was not a +breath of wind astir; a soft gray sky streaked with +long bars of stronger color hung motionless over the +wide prospect. Wood and moorland ridge and distant +hill had faded to dimness of contour and quiet neutral +tones. Indeed, the whole scene seemed steeped in a profound +tranquillity, intensified only by the murmur of +the river. +</p> +<p>Lisle enjoyed it all, though he was conscious that +Millicent’s presence added to its charm. He had +grown to feel restful and curiously at ease in her +company. She was, he thought, so essentially natural; +one felt at home with her. +</p> +<p>“I haven’t often seen you with the unoccupied appearance +you have just now,” he remarked at length. +</p> +<p>“I have sent the book off, and after being at work +on it so long, I feel disinclined to do anything else,” +she said. “I’ve just heard from the publishers; they +don’t seem enthusiastic. After all, one couldn’t expect +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +that—the style of the thing is rather out of the +usual course.” +</p> +<p>Lisle looked angry and she was pleased with his indignation +on her behalf. +</p> +<p>“They show precious little sense!” he declared; +“but you’re right. It’s one of your English customs +to go on from precedent to precedent until you get +an unmodifiable standard, when you slavishly conform +to it. Now your book’s neither a classification nor +a catalogue—it’s something far bigger. Never +mind what the experts and scientists say; wait until +the people who love the wild things and want their +story made real get it into their hands!” +</p> +<p>His confidence was gratifying, but she changed the +subject. +</p> +<p>“You Canadians haven’t much respect for precedent?” +</p> +<p>“No; we try to meet the varying need by constantly +changing means. They’re often crude, but +they’re successful, as a rule.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a system that must have a wide effect,” she +responded, to lead him on. She liked to hear him talk. +</p> +<p>“It has. You can see it in the difference between +your country and mine. This land’s smooth and well +trimmed; everything in it has grown up little by little; +its mellow ripeness is its charm. Ours is grand or +rugged or desolate, but it’s never merely pretty. The +same applies to our people; they’re bubbling over with +raw, optimistic vigor, their corners are not rubbed +off. Some of them would jar on overcivilized people, +but not, I think, on any one with understanding.” He +spread out his hands. “You have an example; I’m +spouting at large again.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span></p> +<p>“Go on,” she begged; “I’m interested. But have +you ever thought that instead of being younger than +we are you’re really older. I mean that you have gone +back a long way; begun again at an earlier stage, +instead of going ahead?” +</p> +<p>“Now you get at the bottom of things!” he exclaimed. +“That’s always been an idea of mine. The +people of the newer countries, perhaps more particularly +those to whom I belong, are brought back to +the grapple with elemental conditions. We’re on the +bed-rock of nature.” +</p> +<p>“Are you too modest to go any further?” +</p> +<p>He showed faint signs of confusion and she laughed. +“No doubt, the situation makes for pristine vigor, +and we are drifting into artificiality,” she suggested. +“Perhaps you, the toilers, the subduers of the wilderness, +are to serve as an anchor for the supercivilized +generations to hold on by.” She paused and quoted +softly: “‘Pioneers; O pioneers!’” +</p> +<p>“What can I say to that?” he asked with half-amused +embarrassment. “We’re pretty egotistical, +but one can’t go back on Whitman.” +</p> +<p>“No,” she laughed mischievously; “I think you’re +loyal; and there are situations from which it’s difficult +to extricate oneself. Didn’t you find it so, for example, +when you declined to come here with Nasmyth, +because Miss Crestwick had pressed you to go to +Marple’s?” +</p> +<p>He could think of no neat reply to this and the +obvious fact pleased her, for she guessed that he +would rather have spent the evening with her. This +was true, for now, sitting in the quiet garden in her +company, he looked back on the entertainment with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +something like disgust. Marple’s male friends were, +for the most part, characterized by a certain grossness +and sensuality; in their amusements at games of +chance one or two had displayed an open avarice. +These things jarred on the man who had toiled among +the rocks and woods, where he had practised a stringent +self-denial. +</p> +<p>“I heard that you figured in a striking little +scene,” Millicent went on. +</p> +<p>“I couldn’t help it.” Lisle appeared annoyed. +“That man Batley irritated me; though, after all, I +don’t blame him the most.” +</p> +<p>This was a slip. +</p> +<p>“Whom do you blame?” she asked sharply. +</p> +<p>“Oh,” he explained, “I wasn’t the only person, +present, and I hadn’t arrived at the beginning. Somebody +should have stopped the fellow; the shares he +tried to work off on Crestwick were no good.” +</p> +<p>“Then Batley wanted to sell that silly lad some +worthless shares—and there were other people looking +on?” +</p> +<p>He would not tell her that Gladwyne had watched +the proceedings, to some extent acquiescing. +</p> +<p>“I thought from what you said that you knew all +about it,” he answered. +</p> +<p>“No,” she replied, suspecting the truth, but seeing +that it would be difficult to extract anything definite +from him. “I only heard that you had an encounter +of some kind with Batley. But why did you hint that +he was not the worst?” +</p> +<p>“He was merely acting in accordance with his instincts; +one wouldn’t expect anything else.” +</p> +<p>“The implication is that he was tacitly abetted by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +people of a different kind who ought to have known +better.” +</p> +<p>He was not to be drawn on this point, and she respected +him for it. +</p> +<p>“Was it only an animus against Batley that +prompted you?” she asked. +</p> +<p>“No,” he admitted candidly; “I wanted to get +young Crestwick out of his clutches. I’m not sure +he’s worth troubling about, but I’m sorry for his sister. +As I’ve said before, there’s something fine in the way +she sticks to him.” +</p> +<p>The chivalrous feeling did him credit, Millicent admitted, +but she was dissatisfied with it and was curious +to learn if it were the only one he cherished toward +the girl. +</p> +<p>“That’s undoubtedly in her favor,” she commented +indifferently. +</p> +<p>He did not respond and they talked about other +matters; but Lisle was now sensible of a slight constraint +in Millicent’s manner and on the whole she +was glad when he took his leave. Quick-witted, as +she was, she guessed that he disapproved of the part +Clarence had played in the affair at Marple’s, and +this, chiming with her own suspicions, troubled her. +She had a tenderness for Clarence, and she wondered +how far her influence might restrain and protect him +if, as his mother had suggested, she eventually married +him. Another point caused her some uneasiness—Bella +Crestwick had boldly entered the field against +her and was making use of the Canadian to rouse +Clarence by showing him that he had a rival. The +thought of it stirred her to indignation; she would +not have Lisle treated in that fashion. After sitting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +still for half an hour, she rose with a gesture of impatience +and went into the house. +</p> +<p>On the same evening Bella Crestwick felt impelled +to lecture her brother after dinner. That was not +a favorable time, for the young man’s good opinion +of himself was generally strengthened by a glass or +two of wine. +</p> +<p>“I thought that matter of the shares would have +taught you sense, but you must listen to Batley again +this afternoon,” she scolded. “You were with him +for half an hour. I’ve no patience with you, +Jim.” +</p> +<p>“He’s not so easy to shake off, particularly as I’m +in his debt,” returned the lad. “Besides, he’s an interesting +fellow, the kind you learn a good deal from. +It’s an education to mix with such men.” +</p> +<p>“The trouble is that it’s expensive. Come away +with me before he ruins you. There’s Mrs. Barnard’s +invitation to their place in Scotland; it would be a +good excuse.” +</p> +<p>Her brother’s rather lofty manner changed. +</p> +<p>“You’re a dear, Bella. You know you don’t want +to go.” +</p> +<p>Having a strong reason for wishing to stay, she +colored at this. Among his other unprepossessing +characteristics, Jim had a trick of saying things he +should suppress. +</p> +<p>“Never mind me,” she answered. “Will you +come?” +</p> +<p>He had an incomplete recognition of the magnitude +of the sacrifice she was ready to make, though it was +not this that decided him not to fall in with it. +</p> +<p>“No,” he said with raw self-confidence. “I’m not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +one to run away; but I’ll promise to keep my eye on +the fellow after this and be cautious. All his schemes +aren’t in the same class as those mining shares, you +know.” +</p> +<p>Bella lost her temper and told him some plain +truths about himself, and this did not improve matters, +for in the end she retired, defeated, leaving Jim +rather sore but on the whole satisfied with the firmness +he had displayed. The girl felt dejected and +almost desperate. She could not continually apply to +Lisle for assistance, and she shrank from the only +other course that seemed open to her; but her affection +for the misguided lad impelled her to make another +attempt to rescue him, and a few days later +she found her opportunity. It was a bold measure +she had decided on, one that might cost her a good +deal, but she was a young woman of courage and determination. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Marple and her daughter drove over with her +to call on Mrs. Gladwyne. They found several other +people present, and as usual there was no ceremony; the +day was fine, and the hostess sat outside, while the +guests strolled about the terrace and gardens very +much as they liked. Bella, hearing that Clarence was +engaged in the library and would not be down for +a little while, slipped away in search of him. Her +heart beat painfully fast as she went up the wide +staircase, but she was outwardly very collected—a +slender, attractive figure—when she entered the +room. In her dress as well as in her manner Bella +was usually distinguished by something unconventional +and picturesque. She was not pleased to see +Batley standing beside the table at which Gladwyne +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +sat, but the man gathered up some papers when he +noticed her. +</p> +<p>“I’ve explained the thing, Gladwyne, and I expect +Miss Crestwick will excuse me,” he said. +</p> +<p>His manner was good-humored as he bowed to her +and though she almost hated the man she was conscious +of a faint respect for him. He might have +thwarted her by remaining, for she had often made +him a butt for her bitter wit. Now, however, when +she had shown that his presence was not required, he +was gallantly withdrawing. When he went out she +sat down and Gladwyne rose and stood with one hand +on the mantel, waiting for her to begin. Instead, she +glanced round the room, which always impressed her. +It was lofty and spacious, the few articles of massive +furniture gave it a severe dignity, and there was no +doubt that Gladwyne, with his handsome person and +highbred air, appeared at home in it. +</p> +<p>While she looked around, he was thinking about +her. She was provocatively pretty; a fearless, passionate +creature, addicted to occasional reckless outbreaks, +but nevertheless endowed with a vein of cold +and calculating sense. What was as much to the +point, she was wealthy, and people were becoming +more tolerant toward her; but in the meanwhile he +wondered what she wanted. +</p> +<p>“I came about Jim,” she said at length. +</p> +<p>“Well?” +</p> +<p>The man’s expression, which suddenly changed, was +not encouraging and she hesitated. +</p> +<p>“You know what he’s doing. I’ve come to ask a +favor.” +</p> +<p>He avoided the issue. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span></p> +<p>“It’s nothing alarming; I don’t suppose he’s very +different from most lads of his age. Perhaps it would +be better to let him have his head.” +</p> +<p>“No,” she replied decidedly. “The pace is too +hot; I can’t hold him. He’ll come to grief badly if +he’s not pulled up. You know that as well as I do!” +</p> +<p>Her anger became her, bringing a fine glow to her +cheeks and a hint of half-imperious dignity into her +pose. It had an effect on him, but he felt somewhat +ashamed of himself. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he asked in a quiet voice, “what’s the +favor?” +</p> +<p>“Shouldn’t a sportsman and a man of your kind +grant it unconditionally beforehand? Must you be +sure you won’t get hurt when you make a venture?” +</p> +<p>“You’d risk it,” he answered, bowing. “You’re +admirable, Bella. Still, you see, I’m either more +cautious or less courageous.” +</p> +<p>She was badly disappointed. She knew that a good +deal depended on his answer to her request, and shrank +from making it, because it would prove the strength +or weakness of her hold on him. The man attracted +her, and she had somewhat openly attempted to capture +him. She longed for the position he could give +her; she would have married him for that and his +house, but she was willing to risk her success for her +brother’s welfare. +</p> +<p>“I want you to tell Batley that he must keep his +hands off of Jim,” she said. +</p> +<p>He started at this. +</p> +<p>“He can’t do the lad much harm. Aren’t you attaching +a little too much importance to the matter?” +</p> +<p>“No; not in the least,” she answered vehemently. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +“I’ve told you so already. But can’t you keep to the +point? My brother’s being ruined in several ways +besides the debts he’s heaping up; and I’ve humbled +myself to beg your help.” +</p> +<p>“Was it so very hard?” he asked, and his voice +grew soft and caressing. +</p> +<p>She was shaken to the verge of yielding. The man +was handsome, cultivated, distinguished, she thought. +Whether she actually loved him, she did not know, +but he could gratify her ambitions and she was +strongly drawn to him. He had given her a lead, an +opening for a few telling words that might go far +toward the accomplishment of her wishes; but, +tempted as she was, she would not utter them. She +was loyal to the headstrong lad; Jim stood first with +her. +</p> +<p>“That is beside the point,” she said with a becoming +air of pride. “I expected you would be willing +to do whatever you could. To be refused what I +plead for is new to me.” +</p> +<p>He considered for a moment or two, watching her +with keen appreciation. Bella in her present mood, +with her affectations cast aside, appealed to him. She +was not altogether the woman he would have chosen, +but since he must secure a rich wife, there were obvious +benefits to be derived from a match with her. +He devoutly wished he could accede to her request. +</p> +<p>“Well?” she broke out impatiently. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” he said; “I’m unable to do as you +desire. Of course, I wish I could, if only to please +you, though I really don’t think the thing’s necessary.” +</p> +<p>“You needn’t tell me that again! It’s a waste of +time; I’m not going to discuss it. Face the difficulty, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +whatever it is. Do you mean that you can’t warn +off Batley?” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne saw that she would insist on a definite +answer and in desperation he told the truth. +</p> +<p>“It’s out of the question.” +</p> +<p>It was a shock to her. In a sudden flash of illumination +she saw him as he was, weak and irresolute, +helpless in the grip of a stronger man. It was significant +that she felt no compassion for him, but only +disgust and contempt. She was no coward, and even +Jim, who could so easily be deluded, was ready enough +to fight on due occasion. +</p> +<p>“You are afraid of the fellow!” she exclaimed. +</p> +<p>Gladwyne colored and moved abruptly. He had +imagined that she was his for the asking, but there +was no mistaking her cutting scorn. +</p> +<p>“Bella,” he pleaded, “don’t be bitter. You can’t +understand the difficulties I’m confronted with.” +</p> +<p>“I can understand too much!” Her voice +trembled, but she rose, rather white in face, with an +air of decision. “When I came I expected—but +after all that doesn’t matter—I never expected +this!” +</p> +<p>He made no answer; the man had some little pride +and there was nothing to be said. He had fallen very +low even in this girl’s estimation and the fact was almost +intolerably galling, but he could make no effective +defense. She went from him slowly, but with a suggestive +deliberation, without looking back, and there +was a hint of finality in the way she closed the door. +</p> +<p>Once outside, she strove to brace herself, for the interview +had tried her hard. She had had to choose +between Gladwyne and her brother, but for that she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +was now almost thankful. The man she had admired +had changed and become contemptible. It was as if +he had suddenly collapsed and shriveled before her +startled eyes. But that was not all the trouble—she +was as far from saving Jim as ever. +</p> +<p>It cost her an effort to rejoin the others, but she +was equal to it and during the rest of her stay her +conversation was a shade more audacious than usual. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVI_GLADWYNE_SURRENDERS' id='XVI_GLADWYNE_SURRENDERS'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>GLADWYNE SURRENDERS</h3> +</div> + +<p>Evening was drawing on when Bella strolled +aimlessly down the ascending road that led to +Marple’s residence. On one hand of the road +there was a deep rift, filled with shadow, in which a +beck murmured among the stones, and the oaks that +climbed to the ridge above flung their great branches +against the saffron glow in the western sky. Fallen +leaves, glowing brown and red, had gathered thick +beneath one hedgerow and more came slowly sailing +down; but Bella brushed through them unheeding, oblivious +to her surroundings. She had suffered during +the few days that had followed her interview with +Gladwyne and even the sharp encounter with Miss +Marple in which she had recently indulged had not +cheered her, though it had left her friend smarting. +</p> +<p>Presently she looked around with interest as a +figure appeared farther up the road, and recognizing +the fine poise and vigorous stride, she stopped and +waited. Lisle was a bracing person to talk to, and +she wanted to see him. He soon came up with her +and she greeted him cordially. Unlike Gladwyne, he +was a real man, resolute and resourceful, with a generous +vein in him, and she did not resent the fact that +he looked rather hard at her. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p> +<p>“You don’t seem as cheerful as usual,” he observed. +</p> +<p>“I’m not,” she confessed. “In fact, I think I was +very nearly crying.” +</p> +<p>“What’s the trouble?” He showed both interest +and sympathy. +</p> +<p>“Oh, you needn’t ask. It’s Jim again. I’ve tried +every means and I can’t do anything with him.” +</p> +<p>“He is pretty uncontrollable. Seems to have gone +back to Batley again. I wonder if it would be any +good if I looked for an opportunity for making a row +with the fellow?” +</p> +<p>“No,” she answered, with appreciation, for this was +very different from Gladwyne’s attitude. “It would +only separate Jim from you, and I don’t want that +to happen. Please keep hold of him, though I know +that can’t be pleasant for you.” +</p> +<p>“He is trying now and then, but I’ll do what I +can. Gladwyne, however, has more influence than I +have. Did you think of asking him?” +</p> +<p>She colored, and in her brief confusion he read +his answer with strong indignation—she had pleaded +with Gladwyne and he had refused to help. +</p> +<p>“Do you know,” she said, looking up at him, +“you’re the only real friend I have. There’s nobody +else I can trust.” +</p> +<p>“I think you’re wrong in that,” he declared; and +acting on impulse he laid a hand protectingly on her +shoulder, for she looked very dejected and forlorn. +“Anyway, you mustn’t worry. I’ll do something—in +fact, something will have to be done.” +</p> +<p>“What will you do?” +</p> +<p>He knitted his brows. There was a course, which +promised to be effective, open to him, but he was most +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +averse to adopting it. He could give Gladwyne a +plain hint that he had better restrain his confederate, +but he could enforce compliance only by stating what +he knew about the former’s desertion of his cousin. +He was not ready to do that yet; it would precipitate +the climax, and once his knowledge of the matter was +revealed his power to use it in case of a stronger +need might be diminished. The temptation to leave +Jim Crestwick to his fate was strong, but his pity +for the anxious girl was stronger. +</p> +<p>“I’ll have a talk with Gladwyne,” he promised. +</p> +<p>“That wouldn’t be of the least use!” +</p> +<p>“I think he’ll do what I suggest,” Lisle answered +with a trace of grimness. “Make your mind easy; +I’ll have Batley stopped.” +</p> +<p>She looked at him in surprise, filled with relief and +gratitude. He was one who would not promise more +than he could perform; but how he could force his +will on Gladwyne she did not know. +</p> +<p>“You’re wonderful!” she exclaimed. “Whatever +one asks you’re able to do.” +</p> +<p>“And you’re very staunch.” +</p> +<p>“Oh!” she said, standing very close to him, with +his hand still on her shoulder, “we won’t exchange +compliments—they’re too empty, and you deserve +something better.” She glanced round swiftly. +“Shut your eyes, tight!” +</p> +<p>He obeyed her, and for a moment light fingers rested +on his breast; then there was a faint warm touch upon +his cheek. When he looked up she was standing a +yard away, smiling mockingly. +</p> +<p>“Don’t trust your imagination too much—it +might have deceived you,” she warned. “But you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +have sense; you wouldn’t attach an undue value to +anything.” +</p> +<p>“Confidence and gratitude are precious,” he answered. +“I’d better point out that I haven’t earned +either of them yet.” +</p> +<p>Bella was satisfied with this, but she grew graver, +wondering how far she might have delivered Gladwyne +into his hands. She was angry with the man, but +she would not have him suffer. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know what power you have—but you +won’t make too much use of it—I don’t wish that,” +she begged. “After all, though, Jim must be got +out of that fellow’s clutches.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” assented Lisle, “there’s no doubt of it.” +</p> +<p>She left him presently and he went on down the dale, +not exactly repenting of his promise, but regretting +the necessity which had led to his making it. The +task with which he had saddled himself was an exceedingly +unpleasant one and might afterward make +it more difficult for him to accomplish the purpose +that had brought him to England, but he meant to +carry it out. +</p> +<p>As it happened, he met Mrs. Gladwyne at Millicent’s, +where he called, and he spent an uncomfortable +half-hour in her company. She had shown in various +ways that she liked him, and calling him to her side +soon after he came in, she talked to him in an unusually +genial manner. He felt like a traitor in this +gracious lady’s presence and it was a relief when she +took her departure. +</p> +<p>“You look troubled,” Millicent observed. +</p> +<p>“That’s how I feel,” he confessed. “After all, it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +isn’t a very uncommon sensation. It’s sometimes difficult +to see ahead.” +</p> +<p>“Often,” she answered, smiling. “What do you +do then—stop a little and consider?” +</p> +<p>“Not as a rule. The longer you consider the difficulties, +the worse they look. It’s generally better to +go right on.” +</p> +<p>Millicent agreed with this; and soon afterward Lisle +took his departure and walked back to Nasmyth’s in +an unusually serious mood. They were sitting smoking +when his host broached the subject that was occupying +him. +</p> +<p>“It’s some time since you said anything about the +project that brought you over,” he remarked. +</p> +<p>“That’s so,” assented Lisle. “I’m fixed much as +I was when we last spoke of it. When I was in +Canada, I thought I’d only to find Gladwyne and +scare a confession out of him. Now I find that what +I’ve undertaken isn’t by any means so simple.” +</p> +<p>“I warned you that it wouldn’t be.” +</p> +<p>“You were right. There’s his mother to consider—it’s +a privilege to know her—she’s devoted to the +fellow. Then there’s Millicent; in a way, she’s almost +as devoted, anyhow she’s a staunch friend of his. I +don’t know how either of them would stand the revelation.” +</p> +<p>“It would kill Mrs. Gladwyne,” Nasmyth declared. +</p> +<p>There was silence for a while, and then Lisle spoke +again. +</p> +<p>“I’m badly worried; any move of mine would lead +to endless trouble—and yet there’s the black blot on +the memory of the man to whom I owe so much; I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +can’t bring myself to let it remain. Besides all this, +there’s another complication.” +</p> +<p>“Young Crestwick’s somehow connected with it,” +Nasmyth guessed. +</p> +<p>Lisle did not deny it. +</p> +<p>“That crack-brained lad seems to be the pivot on +which the whole thing turns. Curious, isn’t it? I +wish the responsibility hadn’t been laid on my shoulders. +Just now I can’t tell what I ought to do—it’s +harassing.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t force things; wait for developments,” Nasmyth +advised him. “I’m not trying to extract information; +the only reason I mentioned the subject is +that a man in the home counties has asked me to come +up for a few weeks and bring you along. He’s a +good sort, there’s fair sport, and it’s a nice place; +but I don’t mind in the least whether I go or not.” +</p> +<p>“Then I’d rather stay. I’ve a feeling that I may +be wanted here.” +</p> +<p>“I’m quite satisfied, for a reason I’ll explain. You +have ridden that young bay horse of mine. He comes +of good stock and he’s showing signs of an excellent +pace over the hurdles. Now I couldn’t expect to +enter him for any first-rate event—he’s hardly fast +enough and it’s too expensive in various ways—but +there’s a little semi-private meeting to be held before +long at a place about thirty miles off. I might have +a chance there if we put him into training immediately. +You know something about horses?” +</p> +<p>“Not much,” responded Lisle. “I’ve made one +long journey in the saddle in Alberta; but you’ve seen +our British Columbian trails. Our cayuses have generally +to climb, and as a rule I’ve used horses only +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +for packing. Still, I’m fond of them; I’d be interested +in the thing.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded. +</p> +<p>“One difficulty is that there’s nothing in the neighborhood +that I could try him for pace against except +that horse of Gladwyne’s.” +</p> +<p>“He’d no doubt let you have the beast.” +</p> +<p>“It’s possible,” Nasmyth agreed dryly. “But I’ve +objections to being indebted to him; and I don’t want +Batley, Marple and Crestwick to take a hand in and +put their money on me. However, we’ll think it over.” +</p> +<p>They retired to sleep soon afterward; and the next +day Lisle walked across to call on Gladwyne, in a +quietly determined mood. Clarence was in his library, +and he looked up with some curiosity when Lisle was +shown in. Lisle came to the point at once. +</p> +<p>“You’ve no doubt noticed that Jim Crestwick has +been going pretty hard of late,” he said. “Bets, +speculation, and that sort of thing. He can’t keep +it up on a minor’s allowance. It will end in a bad +smash if he isn’t checked.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne’s manner became supercilious. +</p> +<p>“I fail to see how it concerns you, or, for that matter, +either of us.” +</p> +<p>“We won’t go into the question—it’s beside the +point. What I want you to do is to pull him up.” +</p> +<p>He spoke as if he meant to be obeyed, and Gladwyne +looked at him in incredulous astonishment. +</p> +<p>“Do you suppose I’m able to restrain the lad?” +</p> +<p>“You ought to be,” Lisle answered coolly. “It’s +your friend Batley who’s leading him on to ruin; I’m +making no comments on your conduct in standing by +and watching, as if you approved of it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span></p> +<p>The man grew hot with anger. +</p> +<p>“Thank you for your consideration.” His tone +changed to a sneer. “I suppose you couldn’t be expected +to realize that the attitude you’re adopting is +inexcusable?” +</p> +<p>“If you don’t like it, I’ll try another,” Lisle returned +curtly. “You’ll give Batley his orders to +leave the lad alone right now.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne rose with his utmost dignity, a fine gentleman +whose feelings had been outraged by the coarse +attack of a barbarian; but Lisle waved his hand in +a contemptuous manner. +</p> +<p>“Stop where you are; that kind of thing is thrown +away on me. You’re going to listen for a few +minutes and afterward you’re going to do what I +tell you. To begin with—why, after you’d opened +it, didn’t you wipe out all trace of the cache on the +reach below the last portage your cousin made?” +</p> +<p>The shot obviously reached its mark, for Gladwyne +clutched the table hard, and then sank back limply +into his seat. He further betrayed himself by a swift, +instinctive glance toward the rows of books behind +him, and Lisle had no doubt that the missing pages +from George Gladwyne’s diary were hidden among +them. He waited calmly, sure of his position, while +Gladwyne with difficulty pulled himself together. +</p> +<p>“Have you any proof that I found the cache?” he +asked. +</p> +<p>“I think so,” Lisle informed him. “But we’ll let +that slide. You’d better take the thing for granted. +I’m not here to answer questions. I’ve told you +plainly what I want.” +</p> +<p>There was silence for nearly a minute during which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +Gladwyne sat very still in nerveless dismay. All resistance +had melted out of him, his weakness was manifest—he +could not face a crisis, there was no courage +in him. +</p> +<p>“The miserable young idiot!” he broke out at +length in impotent rage. “This is not the first +trouble in which he has involved me!” +</p> +<p>“Just so,” said Lisle. “Not long ago his sister +came here, begging you to save him, and you wouldn’t. +It’s not my part to point what she must think of you. +But I’m in a different position; you won’t refuse me.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne leaned forward, gripping the arms of his +chair as if he needed support, and his face grew +haggard. +</p> +<p>“The difficulty is that I’m helpless,” he declared. +</p> +<p>Lisle regarded him with contempt. +</p> +<p>“Brace up,” he advised him. “The fellow you’re +afraid of is only flesh and blood; he has his weak +point somewhere. Face him and find it, if you can’t +talk him round. There’s no other way open to you.” +</p> +<p>A brief silence followed; and then Gladwyne broke +it. +</p> +<p>“I’ll try. But suppose I can induce him to leave +Crestwick alone?” +</p> +<p>“So much the better for you,” Lisle answered with +a dry smile. “I’m not here to make a bargain. I +don’t want anything for myself.” +</p> +<p>He went out, consoling himself with the last reflection, +for the part he had played had been singularly +disagreeable. Passing down the wide staircase and +through the great hall, he turned along the terrace +with a sense of wonder and disgust. It was a stately +house; the wide sweep of lawn where two gardeners +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +were carefully sweeping up the leaves, the borders beyond +it, blazing with dahlias and ranks of choice chrysanthemums, +conveyed the same suggestion of order, +wealth and refinement. One might, he thought, have +expected to find some qualities that matched with these—dignity, +power, a fine regard for honor—in the +owner of such a place, but he had not even common +courage. An imposing figure, to outward seeming, the +Canadian regarded him as one who owed everything to +a little surface polish and his London clothes. +</p> +<p>Lisle paused to look back when he reached the end +of the terrace, from which a path that would save him +a short walk led through a shrubbery. One wing of +the building was covered with Virginia creeper that +glowed with the gorgeous hues of a fading maple leaf, +the sunlight lay on the grass, and the feeling of tranquillity +that hung about the place grew stronger. +He thought that he could understand how the desire +to possess it would stir an Englishman reared in such +surroundings, and yet he was now convinced that this +was not the impulse which had driven Gladwyne into +deserting his starving cousin. The man had merely +yielded to craven fear. +</p> +<p>He heard footsteps, and looking around was a little +surprised to see Batley moving toward him. +</p> +<p>“You have just called on Gladwyne,” Batley began. +</p> +<p>Lisle stopped. There was, so far as he knew, nothing +to be said in favor of the man, but his cool boldness +was tempered by a certain geniality and an +occasional candor that the Canadian could not help appreciating. +He preferred Batley to Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>“That’s so,” he agreed. +</p> +<p>“I’m inclined to think your visit concerned me. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +I’ve noticed your interest in young Crestwick—it’s +obvious—I don’t know whether one could say the +same of the cause of it?” +</p> +<p>“We won’t discuss that. If you have anything +to say to me, you had better adopt a less offensive +style.” +</p> +<p>Batley smiled good-humoredly. +</p> +<p>“You’re quick at resenting things. I don’t see +why you should expect a longer patience from me.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t expect anything from you,” Lisle informed +him. “In proof of it, I’ll mention that I called to +tell Gladwyne he must keep you off of Jim Crestwick.” +</p> +<p>He made a slip in the last few words, which the +other quickly noticed. +</p> +<p>“Ordered him, in fact,” he said. +</p> +<p>Lisle made no answer and Batley resumed: +</p> +<p>“You have some kind of a hold on Gladwyne; so +have I. Of course, it’s no news to you. I’m a little +curious to learn what yours consists of.” +</p> +<p>“Why?” +</p> +<p>“It struck me that we might work together.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not going in for card-sharping or anything of +that kind!” +</p> +<p>The man seemed roused by this, but he mastered his +anger. +</p> +<p>“Civility isn’t expensive and sometimes it’s wise,” +he observed. “I won’t return the compliment; in fact, +I’ll credit you with the most disinterested motives. All +I mean is that I might help you and you might help +me. I’m not quite what you seem to think I am, and if +I can get my money back out of Gladwyne I won’t +harm him.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t care in the least whether you harm him or +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span> +not. But I’ll try to arrange that you drop Crestwick.” +</p> +<p>Batley considered this for a moment or two. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I’m sorry we can’t agree; but as +regards Crestwick you can only head me off by forcing +Gladwyne to interfere. Between ourselves, do you +think he’s a man who’s likely to take a bold course?” +</p> +<p>“I think so—in the present case.” +</p> +<p>“You mean if the pressure’s sufficient. Now you +have given me a glimpse at your hand and I’ll be candid. +Gladwyne rather let me in, and there’s a risk in +dealing with a lad who’s to all intents and purposes a +minor; I’ve gone about as far with him as I consider +judicious. Don’t do anything that may damage Gladwyne +financially without giving me warning, and in return +I’ll let Crestwick go. To some extent, I only +got hold of him as an offset to the trouble I’ve had +with Gladwyne. Is it a bargain? You can trust me.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll let it go at that,” replied Lisle. “But I’ll +keep my eye on you.” +</p> +<p>Batley’s gesture implied that he would not object +to this, and he turned away, leaving the Canadian to +walk back to Nasmyth’s thoughtfully. Lisle did not +think he had done Gladwyne much harm by his tacit admissions, +and he had some degree of confidence in Batley’s +assurance. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVII_A_BAD_FALL' id='XVII_A_BAD_FALL'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>A BAD FALL</h3> +</div> + +<p>Gladwyne spent the first few days that followed +Lisle’s visit in a state of dread and indecision. +He had allowed the Canadian to +understand that he would endeavor to prevent Crestwick’s +being further victimized, but he had already +failed to induce Batley to abandon the exploitation of +the lad and he had no cause for believing that a second +attempt would be more successful. Moreover, he +shrank from making it; the man had shown him clearly +that he would brook no interference. +</p> +<p>On the other hand, he was equally afraid of Lisle. +This cool, determined Canadian was not to be trifled +with, and he knew or suspected enough about the tragedy +in British Columbia to make him dangerous. It +was certain that a revelation of Batley’s speculation +would go a very long way toward establishing the +truth of any damaging story Lisle thought fit to tell. +Supposing the two by any chance combined their +knowledge—that he had raised money in anticipation +of his cousin’s death, and afterward left him to perish—nothing +that he could say would count against the +inference. George had been a healthy man, not much +older than Clarence, when the money was borrowed, +and his decease within a limited time had appeared improbable. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +Nobody would believe the actual truth that +Batley with characteristic boldness had, in return for +what he thought a sufficient consideration in the shape +of an exorbitant interest, taken a serious risk. The +thing would look like a conspiracy between the heir +presumptive and the speculator who lent the money; +and in this, for a bold man, there might have been a +loophole for escape, but Gladwyne knew that he had +not the nerve to use the fact against his ally. +</p> +<p>Nevertheless, Gladwyne was really guiltless in one +respect—he had not desired his cousin’s death; he +would have gone back to the rescue had he not dreaded +that he would share George’s fate. Lack of courage +had been his bane, and it was so now, for instead of +speaking to Batley he temporized. The man had made +no further attempt upon Crestwick, and Gladwyne decided +that until he did so there was no need for him to +interfere. Still, as the next few weeks passed, he was +conscious of a growing dread of the Canadian which, +as sometimes happens, became tinged with hatred. +Lisle was the more serious menace, and it was ominous +that he now and then exchanged a word or two with +Batley. If the two formed an offensive alliance, he +would be helpless at their hands. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile, Nasmyth has been training his +horse for the approaching meeting and after trying +him against one belonging to a neighbor and not finding +it fast enough he had reluctantly fallen back on +a chestnut owned by Gladwyne. The animal possessed +a fine speed and some jumping powers. Its +chief fault was a vicious temper; but Gladwyne was +seldom troubled by lack of nerve in the saddle. It +was in time of heavy moral strain that he failed, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +he was glad to arrange with Nasmyth for a sharp +gallop. +</p> +<p>Somewhat to the latter’s regret, news of his intentions +had spread, and on the morning of the trial a +number of people, including the Marples and Crestwicks +and Millicent, had gathered about the course. +It was a dark day, with a moist air and a low, gray sky. +The grass was wet, a strip of plowing which could not +be avoided was soft and heavy, and the ground in +front of several of the jumps was in a far from satisfactory +state. Nasmyth, who kept a very small establishment +and had hitherto generally ridden the horse, +walked round part of the course with Lisle. +</p> +<p>“It will be heavy going and there’s a nasty greasy +patch at the biggest fence,” he said. “I’d have waited +for a better day only that it’s often wet where they +have the meeting, and I want to see what he can do +over ground like this. You’ll have to watch him at +the jumps.” +</p> +<p>“He’d do better with you in the saddle,” Lisle suggested. +</p> +<p>“I’d rather put you up. I’m not going to ride at +the meeting; I’m over the weight they ought to give +him and I want to get him used to a stranger’s hands. +As it’s an outside event of no importance, I haven’t +fixed on my man yet.” +</p> +<p>They walked back toward the starting-point, where +Gladwyne was waiting, with Batley and Crestwick in +attendance. As they approached it, Millicent joined +them. +</p> +<p>“Are you going to ride to-day?” she asked Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Nasmyth insists,” was the answer. “I’m afraid +I won’t do him much credit.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span></p> +<p>Gladwyne looked up with a slight frown. +</p> +<p>“You won’t mind?” Nasmyth asked him. “I’d +penalize the horse by nearly a stone.” +</p> +<p>“No,” replied Gladwyne, shortly; “there’s no reason +why I should object.” +</p> +<p>This was true, but he had an unreasoning aversion +to facing this opponent. Of late, the Canadian had +caused him trouble at almost every turn, and it looked +as if he could not even indulge in a morning’s amusement +without being plagued with him. He was conscious +of a most uncharitable wish that Lisle would +come to grief at one of the fences and break his neck. +In many ways, this would be a vast relief. +</p> +<p>“Would anybody like to make it a sporting +match?” Crestwick asked. “The bay’s my fancy; +I’m ready to back it.” +</p> +<p>Bella tried to catch his eye, but he disregarded this. +She, however, saw Lisle glance at Batley and noticed +the latter’s smile. +</p> +<p>“It isn’t worth while betting on trials,” Batley declared. +“Better wait until the meeting.” +</p> +<p>The girl was less astonished than gratified. Gladwyne +was surprised and disconcerted. He had said +nothing to Batley about Crestwick, but he had noticed +Lisle’s warning glance, and the other’s prompt acquiescence +appeared significant. It looked as if the two +had joined hands, and that was what he most dreaded. +An almost overpowering rage against the Canadian +possessed him. When he attempted to mount, the +chestnut gave him trouble by backing and plunging; +but the bay was quiet and Nasmyth stood for a few +moments by Lisle’s stirrup. +</p> +<p>“Save him a bit for the second round,” he advised. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +“Another thing, look out when you come to the big-brushed +hurdles, particularly the second time.” +</p> +<p>Batley volunteered as starter, and when he got them +off satisfactorily the spectators scattered, one or two to +watch the pace across the plowed land, the others moving +toward the stiffest jumps—the course was roughly +circular. +</p> +<p>The trial was a new experience to Lisle, and he +felt the exhilaration of it as, remembering his instructions, +he strove to hold his mount. Gladwyne’s horse +was a length ahead of him, the wind lashed his face, +and the thrill of the race grew keener when he swept +over the first fence, hard upon the flying chestnut’s +heels. He dropped another length behind as they +crossed the next field and labored over the sticky plowing; +then there was a low fence and ditch, a narrow +meadow, and then the hurdles Nasmyth had mentioned, +filling a gap in a tall thorn hedge. They were wattled +with branches which projected a foot or so above them. +</p> +<p>It did not look an easy jump and the grass was slippery +and soft, but the chestnut accomplished it cleverly +and the bay flew at the hurdles with every sign +of confidence. Then, though Lisle felt the hoofs slide +as the beast took off, they were over and flying faster +than ever across a long, wet field. As they approached +the end of the first round, the chestnut began to drop +back; Lisle could let the bay go and he determined to +bring him home the winner. It was his first fast ride +in England; and he had, indeed, seldom urged a horse +to its utmost pace—the British Columbian trails, for +the most part, led steeply up or down rugged hillsides, +where speed was out of the question. It was very different +on these level English meadows, though the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +ground was softer than usual and the fences were +troublesome. He rode with a zest and ardor he had +hardly expected to feel. +</p> +<p>He led at the next fence and some of the onlookers +shouted encouragement when, drawing a little farther +ahead, he once more reached the sticky plowed land. +Here the bay slowed a little, toiling across the clods, +but a glance over his shoulder showed his opponent +still at least two lengths behind. Gladwyne, however, +now roused himself to ride in earnest. Hitherto he +had taken no great interest in the proceedings, but he +had just seen Bella wave her hand to Lisle and then +Millicent’s applauding smile. He resented the fact +that both should be pleased to see him beaten by this +intrusive stranger. It reawakened his rancor, and the +strain of the last week or two had shaken him rather +badly. He was nervous, his self-control was weak; but +he meant to pass his rival. +</p> +<p>He was still behind at the next fence, but pressing +his horse savagely he crept up a little as they approached +the one really difficult jump; and as they +sped across the narrow meadow Lisle fancied that the +bay was making its last effort. Crestwick was standing +near the hurdles, with Nasmyth moving rapidly +toward them not far away and Bella running across a +neighboring field. Crestwick watched Gladwyne intently. +The man’s face was strangely eager, considering +that all he had been asked to do was to test the +bay’s speed, and there was a hardness in his expression +that fixed Crestwick’s attention; he wondered the cause +of it. +</p> +<p>Bella was close to him, when Lisle, riding hard, +rushed at the hurdles, and Jim found it hard to repress +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +a shout as the bay’s hoofs slipped and slid on the +treacherous turf. The horse rose, however; there was +a heavy crash; wattled branches and the top bar of the +hurdle smashed. Lisle lurched in his saddle; and then +the bay came down in a heap, with the man beneath +him. +</p> +<p>It was impossible to doubt that Gladwyne had seen +the accident, but the chestnut rushed straight at the +shattered hurdle, teeth bare, nostrils dilated, head +stretched forward, and Crestwick thrilled with horror. +The fallen horse was struggling, rolling upon its rider, +just beyond the fence; but Gladwyne did nothing, except +sit ready for the leap. It was incomprehensible; +so was the look in the man’s face, which was grimly +set, as the big chestnut rose in a graceful bound. +</p> +<p>There was a sickening thud on the other side, a +flounder of slipping hoofs, and the staccato pounding +of the gallop broke out again. The chestnut had come +down upon the fallen horse or helpless man, and was +going on, uncontrollable. Crestwick rushed madly at +the hedge, and scrambling through, badly scratched +and bareheaded, found Nasmyth trying to drag Lisle +clear of the bay. The Canadian’s eyes were half open, +but there was no expression in them; one arm and shoulder +looked distorted, and his face was gray. Half-way +across the field Gladwyne was struggling savagely with +the plunging chestnut. +</p> +<p>“Get hold!” ordered Nasmyth hoarsely. “Some +bones broken, by the look of him; but he’ll have his +brains knocked out in another moment.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick was cruelly kicked as the bay rolled in +agony, striking with its hoofs; but he stuck to his +task, and with some difficulty they dragged Lisle out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +of danger. When they had accomplished it, Marple +came running up with two or three others and Nasmyth +called to him. +</p> +<p>“Came in the car, didn’t you? Go off for Irvine +as hard as you can drive. Drop somebody at my place +to run back with a gun.” +</p> +<p>Marple swung round and set off across the field, and +Crestwick understood why the gun was wanted when +he glanced at the fallen horse. Nasmyth informed +him that nothing could be done until the doctor came, +and he turned away toward where his sister was waiting. +His forehead and hands were torn and he was +conscious of a bad ache in his back where a hoof had +struck, but these things scarcely troubled him. He +was overwhelmed, horror-stricken; and the shock of +seeing Lisle crushed and senseless was not the only +cause of it. Bella, gasping after her run, with hair +shaken loose about her face, seemed to be suffering +from the same sensation that unnerved him. +</p> +<p>“Is he dead?” she asked falteringly. +</p> +<p>“No. Badly hurt, I think.” +</p> +<p>“Ah!” she exclaimed with intense relief. “I was +most horribly afraid.” She paused before she resumed: +“You were close by the hurdles.” +</p> +<p>Jim knew she meant that he must have seen what +happened, but, shaking as he was, he looked hard at +her, wondering in a half-dazed fashion what reply he +should make. He thought her suspicions were aroused. +</p> +<p>“You were some way back; you couldn’t have seen +anything plainly,” he ventured. +</p> +<p>“I was very near—looking back toward them—when +they crossed the field before the jump. You’ve +gone all to pieces. What did you see?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p> +<p>“I can’t talk about it now,” Jim broke out. “He’s +coming back.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne had dismounted and was with some difficulty +leading the chestnut toward the hedge. His face +was white; he moved with a strong suggestion of reluctance; +and when he reached the spot where Lisle +lay he seemed to have trouble in speaking. +</p> +<p>“Is it dangerous?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“I can’t tell,” Nasmyth answered sternly. “Shoulder’s +smashed; don’t know if that’s the worst. Why +didn’t you pull up the brute or send him at the hedge +to the right?” +</p> +<p>“He’s hard in the mouth—you know his temper. +You couldn’t have turned him.” +</p> +<p>“I’d have tried, if I’d had to bring him down and +break his neck!” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth checked himself, for this was not the time +for recriminations, and Millicent, who had been running +hard, brushed past them. She did not stop until +she bent over Lisle. Then she turned to Nasmyth with +fear in her strained expression. +</p> +<p>“I think he’ll get over it,” Nasmyth told her. “I +won’t take the responsibility of having him moved until +the doctor arrives.” +</p> +<p>“Quite right,” agreed Batley, walking up and casting +a swift and searching glance at Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>“But you can’t let him lie on the wet grass!” Millicent +expostulated. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid we must; it’s safest,” said Batley. +“The shock’s not so much to be dreaded with a man +of his kind.” +</p> +<p>He and Nasmyth took charge of the situation, +sternly refusing to listen to all well-meant suggestions, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +until at last the doctor and Marple came hurrying +across the field. The former hastily examined the injured +man and then looked up at Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>“Upper arm gone, close to the shoulder joint,” he +announced. “Collar-bone too. I’ll give him some +brandy. Shout to those fellows with the stretcher.” +</p> +<p>He was busy for some time, and in the meanwhile +Batley picked up the flask he had laid down and handed +it to Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>“Take a good drink and pull yourself together,” +he said quietly. +</p> +<p>At length Lisle was gently lifted on to the stretcher, +and as they carried him away the report of a gun ran +out. The onlookers dispersed and Gladwyne was walking +home alone when Millicent overtook him. She was +puzzled by his limp appearance and the expression of +his haggard face. It was only natural that he should +keenly feel his responsibility for the accident, but +this did not quite seem to account for the man’s +condition. He looked absolutely unnerved, like one +who had barely escaped from some appalling catastrophe. +</p> +<p>“You shouldn’t take it quite so much to heart,” she +comforted him. “I don’t think Irvine felt any great +uneasiness; and nobody could blame you.” +</p> +<p>“You’re the only one who has said so,” he answered +moodily. +</p> +<p>“They couldn’t; you stole away. Of course, it’s a +great pity—I’m distressed—but you must try to be +sensible. These accidents happen.” +</p> +<p>He walked on a while in silence, and then with an +effort looked around at her. +</p> +<p>“Millicent,” he said, “you’re wonderfully generous—the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +sight of anybody in trouble stirs you—but I +don’t feel able to bear your sympathy.” +</p> +<p>“Then I’ll have to offer it to Lisle,” she smiled. +“But I’ll walk with you to the lodge; and then you +had better go in and keep quiet until you get back +your nerve.” +</p> +<p>When she left Gladwyne she went on to Nasmyth’s, +where she waited until the doctor on leaving told her +that he was perfectly satisfied with the prospect for the +Canadian’s recovery. It would, he said, be merely a +question of lying still for a considerable time. Millicent +was conscious of a relief which puzzled her by its +intensity as she heard the news, but she asked Nasmyth +to send somebody to inform Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>“I think he’s desperately anxious and feeling the +thing very badly,” she concluded. +</p> +<p>“Then he could have come over to inquire, as you +have done,” Nasmyth answered. “In my opinion, he +deserves to be uncomfortable.” +</p> +<p>“Why are you so hard on him?” +</p> +<p>The man’s face grew grim. +</p> +<p>“I’ve had to help Irvine with Lisle, for one thing. +We were satisfied that his injuries were not caused by +the bay rolling on him; he seems to have escaped from +that with a few bad bruises. The worst of the accident +might have been avoided if Clarence had had +nerve enough.” +</p> +<p>“But you couldn’t blame him very greatly for losing +his head—he had no warning, scarcely a moment to +think. It was so sudden.” +</p> +<p>“The result’s the same,” retorted Nasmyth. “Lisle +has to pay. But to please you I’ll send Clarence word +that Irvine’s not anxious about him.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVIII_A_PRUDENT_DECISION' id='XVIII_A_PRUDENT_DECISION'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>A PRUDENT DECISION</h3> +</div> + +<p>It had been dark some time and the night was raw, +but Jim Crestwick strolled up and down the drive +to Marple’s house, thinking unusually hard. In +the first place, part at least of the folly of his conduct +during the last year or two had been plainly brought +home to him, and the realization was bitter. It was +galling to discover that while he had regarded himself +as a man of the world he had been systematically victimized +by the men who had encouraged him in the delusion. +He felt very sore as he remembered how much +he owed Batley, but this troubled him less than the +downright abhorrence of Gladwyne which had suddenly +possessed him. He had looked up to the latter as a +model and had tried to copy his manners; and it was +chiefly because Batley was a friend of Gladwyne’s that +he had paid toll to him. For he had felt that whatever +the man he admired was willing to countenance must +be the correct thing. Now he saw Gladwyne as he +really was—a betrayer of those who trusted him, a +counterfeit of an honorable type, one who had by the +merest chance escaped from crime. +</p> +<p>In the second place, he was concerned about Bella. +She had obviously been attracted by Gladwyne, and it +was his duty to warn her. Whether the warning was +altogether necessary he could not tell—he had watched +her face that morning—and Bella sometimes resented +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +advice. When she did so, she had an exasperating +trick of putting him in the wrong; but he meant to +speak to her as plainly as appeared desirable. He +had another duty—to Lisle; but he was inclined to +think that on the whole he had better not saddle himself +with it. His self-confidence had been rudely +shaken and he recognized the possibility of his making +things worse. Moreover, he had cultivated the pride +of caste, and having with some difficulty obtained an +entry to the circle in which Gladwyne moved, he felt it +incumbent on him to guard the honor of all who belonged +to it. +</p> +<p>Presently Bella came out, as he had anticipated, and +joined him. +</p> +<p>“You have been very quiet since this morning,” +she began. “I saw that you meant to slip away as +soon as you could.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he admitted; “I’ve had something to think +about—I’ve been a fool, Bella; the commonest, most +easily gulled kind of imbecile!” +</p> +<p>He had expected her to remind him that she had +more than once tried to convince him of this, but she +failed to do so. Instead, she answered with a touch of +the candor that sometimes characterized her. +</p> +<p>“You’re not the only one.” +</p> +<p>This was satisfactory, for it suggested that she had +been undeceived about Gladwyne; but she had not finished. +</p> +<p>“What did you see this morning?” she asked, and +he felt that she was speaking with keen anxiety. +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you, but it must never go any farther. I +hate to think of it! But first of all, what makes you +ask?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span></p> +<p>She had already mentioned that she had been near +when Gladwyne made his attempt to come up with Lisle, +but she had not explained that she had seen hatred +stamped in hideous plainness on his face. +</p> +<p>“Never mind,” she answered sharply. “Go on!” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Jim, “I was standing right against +the hedge, the only person on that side, and I don’t +think Gladwyne saw me. Lisle’s bay fouled the top +bar of the hurdle, but it held long enough to bring him +down in a heap. Gladwyne was then a length or two +behind. He rode straight at the broken hurdle, hands +still—I can’t get his look out of my mind!” +</p> +<p>“But perhaps he couldn’t pull up,” Bella defended +him desperately, as if she would not believe the truth +she dreaded. +</p> +<p>“There were other ways open. He could have gone +at the hedge a yard or two on one side; he could have +spoiled the chestnut’s take-off and made him jump +short. It might have brought him down—the hurdle +was firm in the ground—but that would have been +better than riding over a fallen man!” +</p> +<p>“Are you sure he did nothing?” +</p> +<p>“I wish I were not! The thing’s horrible! Gladwyne +must have seen that he’d come down on Lisle or +the struggling bay—he could have prevented it—he +didn’t try.” +</p> +<p>Bella shivered. Her brother was right: it was almost +beyond contemplation. But that was only half +of the matter. +</p> +<p>“He must have had a reason,” she argued harshly. +</p> +<p>“Yes; one doesn’t ride over a man in cold-blood for +nothing. I think he had some cause for being afraid +of Lisle; several things I remember now point to it. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +His chance came suddenly—nobody could have arranged +it—he only remembered that Lisle with his +brains crushed out could do him no harm.” +</p> +<p>The girl recognized that Jim had guessed correctly. +When she had gone to Lisle for help, he had allowed +her to understand that he could compel Gladwyne’s +compliance with his request, which was significant. +Still, convinced as she was, she would not openly acquiesce +in her brother’s theory. +</p> +<p>“Jim,” she protested, “if he’d ridden at the hedge +or made the chestnut jump short, he might have broken +his own neck. He must have realized it—it would +make him hesitate.” +</p> +<p>The lad laughed scornfully. +</p> +<p>“It’s quite possible, but is that any excuse? Would +Nasmyth or Lisle or Batley have shirked a risk that +would mean the saving of the other fellow? Supposing +your idea’s right—though it isn’t—it only shows +the man as a disgusting coward.” +</p> +<p>There was no gainsaying this; and Bella was crushed +and humiliated. She had already seen Gladwyne’s +weakness, and after the choice she had been compelled +to make between him and her brother, she had tried to +drive all thought of him out of her mind. It had been +difficult; he was fascinating in many ways and she had +set her heart upon his capture. Now she had done +with him; after the morning’s revelation she shrank +from him with positive horror. Jim seemed to guess +this. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry, Bella,” he said gently. “But the fellow’s +impossible.” +</p> +<p>She laid her hand upon his arm. +</p> +<p>“Jim,” she replied, “we have both been mad, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +I suppose we must pay for it. I’ll help you to get +clear of Batley when the time comes, but you must +never have a deal of any kind with him again.” +</p> +<p>“That’s promised; I’ve had my lesson. I think I’ll +ask Lisle to take me with him when he goes back to +Canada. He and Nasmyth are the only men worth +speaking of I’ve met for a long while. When Lisle +first came here I tried to patronize him.” +</p> +<p>Bella laughed, rather feebly, but she wanted to relieve +the tension. +</p> +<p>“It was like you. But we’ll go in. This is our +secret, Jim. Nobody would believe you if you let fall +a hint as to what really happened, and there are many +reasons why you shouldn’t. I think you said nobody +else could have suspected?” +</p> +<p>“Nasmyth hadn’t come up when the chestnut +reached the hurdles; he was the nearest. Lisle was +down with the horse upon him. He couldn’t have seen +anything.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” she decided, “perhaps that’s fortunate. It +isn’t likely that Gladwyne will get such an opportunity +again, and at the worst he acted on the spur of the +moment.” +</p> +<p>The lad nodded. He had felt that silence would +entail some responsibility, but Bella accepted it without +uneasiness. She seldom showed any hesitation +when she had decided on a course. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile, Gladwyne had spent a miserable +day, alternating between horror of himself and doubts +about the future. Jim Crestwick’s description of the +incident was correct—Gladwyne had ridden straight +at the broken hurdle, knowing what the consequences +might be and disregarding them. The next moment, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +however, the reaction had begun and he was thankful +that he had not committed a hideous crime. Indeed, +the knowledge that he had come so near to killing his +opponent had left him badly shaken. He wondered at +his insensate action until he recollected how he had once +stood beside an opened cache in Canada, and then, ignoring +his manifest duty, had hurried on through the +frozen wilderness. On that occasion he had been accountable +for his cousin’s death, and now Lisle had +very narrowly escaped. +</p> +<p>Yet he could with justice acquit himself of any premeditated +intention in either case; fate had thrust him +into a situation he was not strong enough to grapple +with. Dreading Lisle, as he did, his chief thought +had been for his own safety when he saw the bay blunder +at the leap. To save the Canadian he must take +a serious personal risk, which was foreign to his nature, +and though a recognition of the fact that the death +of the fallen man would be a great relief to him had +been clearly in his mind, it was impossible to say how +far it had actuated him. +</p> +<p>He had grown more collected when he sat in his +library as dusk was closing in, considering other aspects +of the affair. He had not seen Crestwick, and +Lisle, he thought, would remember nothing except his +fall. After trying to recall the positions of the others, +he felt comforted; nobody could charge him with anything +worse than reckless riding or a failure of nerve +at a critical moment. He would confess to the latter—it +was to some extent the truth—and show concern +about Lisle’s injury. Awkward as it was, the incident +could be smothered over; it was consoling to remember +that the people he lived among were addicted to treating +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +anything of an unpleasant nature as lightly as +possible. There was a good deal to be said for the +sensible English custom of ignoring what it would be +disconcerting to realize. +</p> +<p>After a while his mother came in and gently touched +him. +</p> +<p>“My dear,” she urged, “you mustn’t brood over it. +Lisle’s condition’s satisfactory. As it’s some hours +since we got Nasmyth’s message, I sent a man over and +he has just come back.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you sent,” Gladwyne responded. “It +was thoughtful. I forgot; but I’ve been badly troubled.” +</p> +<p>She sat down near him, with her hand laid caressingly +on his arm. +</p> +<p>“It’s natural; I understand and feel for you. I +wouldn’t have liked you to be indifferent; but you +mustn’t make too much of it. The man is strong, he +will soon be about again, and you couldn’t have saved +him. Everybody I’ve seen so far has given me that +impression. Of course, I didn’t need their assurances, +but I was glad to see they exonerated and sympathized +with you.” +</p> +<p>Her confidence hurt him; he had still a sense of +shame, and he found no great comfort in what she +told him. His mother was generally loved, and he +wondered how far his neighbors had been influenced by +a desire to save her pain. +</p> +<p>“It looks as if Lisle deserves their commiseration +more than I do,” he answered with a smile which cost +him an effort. +</p> +<p>“It is being shown. I noticed nearly everybody in +the neighborhood motoring or driving toward the house +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +during the afternoon. Millicent’s with Nasmyth now, +helping to arrange things. It’s wonderful what a +favorite Lisle has become in so short a time; but I own +that I find something very likable about him.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne moved impatiently. His hatred of the +man was as strong as ever, and his mother’s attempts +at consolation irritated him. Lisle was too popular; +first Bella and now Millicent had taken him in +hand. +</p> +<p>“Millicent,” Mrs. Gladwyne went on, “is an exceptional +woman in every desirable respect. I think you +have long been as convinced of that as I am.” +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid she can’t have an equally favorable +opinion of me,” he said with a short laugh. +</p> +<p>“One does not look for perfection in a man,” his +mother informed him seriously. “He is criticized +much less severely than a woman. It seems to be the +universal rule, though I have sometimes thought it +wasn’t absolutely just and that it had its drawbacks. +It’s one of the things the women who go out and speak +are declaiming against and something one of them +lately said sticks in my mind.” She sighed as she +added: “The times are changing; there was no need +to consider such questions in your father’s case. He +was the soul of honor—you were very young when +death parted us.” +</p> +<p>She did not always express herself clearly, but Gladwyne +saw that she did not place him in the same category +as his father and he recognized her half-formulated +thought that it would have been better had he +grown up under the latter’s firmer guidance. +</p> +<p>“Wonders never cease, mother,” he responded with +an attempt at lightness. “It’s difficult to imagine +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +your being influenced by the latest propaganda. I +thought you shuddered at it.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, “I was forgetting what I meant +to talk about, drifting away from the subject; I’m +afraid it’s a habit of mine. What I have long felt is +that it would be so desirable if you married suitably.” +</p> +<p>“The trouble is to define the suitability. It’s a +point upon which everybody has a different opinion.” +</p> +<p>“I would choose a girl of good family and education +for you, one with a well-balanced will, who could +see what was right and cling to it. Still, she must be +wise and gentle; a tactful, considerate guide; and +though means are not of first importance, they are not +to be despised.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne leaned back in his chair with a laugh that +had in it a tinge of irritation. +</p> +<p>“Are such girls numerous? But why do you insist +on a will and the power of guiding? It looks as if +you thought I needed it. Sometimes you’re the reverse +of flattering.” +</p> +<p>His mother looked troubled; she would have wounded +no living creature unnecessarily. +</p> +<p>“My dear, it’s not always easy to express what one +feels, and I dare say I’m injudicious in choosing my +words. But your welfare is very near to my heart.” +</p> +<p>“I know that,” he answered gently. “But you were +not describing an imaginary paragon. Hadn’t you +Millicent in your mind?” +</p> +<p>“I should be very happy if I could welcome her as +my daughter. I should feel that you were safe then.” +</p> +<p>There was a thrill of regret in her voice that touched +him. It hinted that she blamed herself for omissions +and lack of wisdom in his upbringing. Besides, her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +confidence in any one who had won her respect, as Millicent +had done, was bestowed so generously. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I’ve often given you trouble, and I do +you little credit now,” he said. “But, as to the other +matter, one can’t be sure that Millicent would welcome +the idea. Of late I’ve had a suspicion that she hasn’t +a very high opinion of me.” +</p> +<p>“You could hardly expect to gain it by devoting +yourself to Miss Crestwick.” +</p> +<p>The man smiled rather grimly. +</p> +<p>“If it’s any consolation to you, I’m inclined to think +that Miss Crestwick has let me drop. The truth’s not +very flattering, but I can’t hide it.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne’s relief was obvious, but she had +more to say and she ventured upon it with some courage. +</p> +<p>“If you would only get rid of Batley too!” +</p> +<p>“I can hardly do that just now; he’s useful in several +ways. Still, of course, if I married—” +</p> +<p>He broke off abruptly, for his mother had occasional +flashes of discernment. +</p> +<p>“Millicent has means,” she said. +</p> +<p>He started at this, wondering how much she had +guessed, but he veiled his embarrassment with a smile. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he acknowledged, “means, as you most +wisely remarked, are not to be despised, and mine are +unfortunately small.” +</p> +<p>She saw that she had said enough and she left him +sitting in the darkening room thinking rather hard. +Bella had thrown him over when he had refused to help +her brother, and there were many ways in which Millicent +appealed to him. Besides, she could free him of +his debt to Batley, which was a thing greatly to be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +desired. She had shown that she did not blame him +severely for the accident at the hurdles, but he realized +that in trying to comfort him she had been prompted +by pity for his dejected mood, and it was clear that the +part he had played was scarcely likely to raise him in +her esteem. This was unfortunate, but he would not +dwell on it; there were other points to consider and +anything that served to divert his thoughts from the +unfortunate affair was a vast relief. +</p> +<p>When at last he rose he had partly recovered his +usual equanimity and had decided that he would watch +for some sign of Millicent’s feelings toward him. He +was aware that they had somewhat changed, but this +was to a large extent his fault, and with caution and +patience he thought it might be possible to reinstate +himself in her favor. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIX_GLADWYNE_GAINS_A_POINT' id='XIX_GLADWYNE_GAINS_A_POINT'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>GLADWYNE GAINS A POINT</h3> +</div> + +<p>Some weeks had passed since the accident and +Lisle was lying one afternoon on a couch near +a window of Nasmyth’s sitting-room. Two or +three Canadian newspapers lay on the floor and he +held a few letters in one hand. The prospect outside +was cheerless—a stretch of leaden-colored moor running +back into a lowering sky, with a sweep of fir +wood that had lost all distinctive coloring in the foreground. +He was gazing at it moodily when Millicent +came in. His face brightened at the sight of her, and +he raised himself awkwardly with his uninjured arm, +but she shook her head at him in reproof. +</p> +<p>“You had orders to keep as quiet as possible for +some time yet. Lie down again!” +</p> +<p>“Keeping quiet is fast breaking me up,” he protested. +“I’m quite able to move about.” +</p> +<p>“All the same, you’re not to try.” +</p> +<p>He looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. +</p> +<p>“Then I suppose I’ll have to give in. You’re a +determined person. People do what you ask them +without resenting it. You have an instance here, +though in a general way it’s a very undignified thing to +be ordered about.” +</p> +<p>He resumed his former position and she seated herself. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>“I don’t see why you should drag my character in,” +she objected with a smile. “Other people who occasionally +obey me don’t say such things.” +</p> +<p>“They’re English; that accounts for a good deal. +I’m inclined to think my power of expressing my feelings +on any point is a gift, though it’s one that’s not +uncommon in the West.” +</p> +<p>“Doesn’t it presuppose an assurance that any one +you address must be interested in your views?” +</p> +<p>“I deserve that,” he laughed; “but you’re not quite +right. We say, in effect, ‘These are my sentiments, +but I won’t be down-hearted if you haven’t the sense to +agree with them.’ The last, however, doesn’t apply to +you.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you for the explanation,” she rejoined. +“But why do you insist on a national difference? +You’re really English, aren’t you, in Canada?” +</p> +<p>“No,” he answered; “you and the others who talk +in that strain are mistaken. We’re a brand new nation +still fusing and fuming in the melting-pot. The elements +are inharmonious in some respects—French +from the Laurentian littoral, Ontario Scots, Americans, +Scandinavians, Teutons, Magyars, Slavs. The English +element’s barely strong enough to temper the mixture; +the land’s too wide and the people too varied for +British traditions to bind. When the cooling amalgam’s +run out it will be into a fresh mold.” +</p> +<p>“One made in Pennsylvania, or wherever the American +foundries are?” +</p> +<p>“They run the one you have in mind at Washington. +You understand things a good deal better than +many people I’ve talked to here; but you’re not right +yet. If Canadians deliberately chose the American +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +mold because it was American, a number of us would +kick; but the cause is a bigger one than that. From +Texas to Athabasca, from Florida to Labrador, pretty +much the same elemental forces are fanning the melting +fires. We have the same human raw material; +we’ve much the same problems to tackle; the conditions +are, or soon will be, pretty similar. It’s only natural +that the result should be more or less identical. I’ve +said nothing yet about our commercial and social relations +with our neighbors.” +</p> +<p>“But doesn’t England count?” +</p> +<p>“Morally, yes. It’s your part to keep our respect +and show us a clean lead.” +</p> +<p>“After all,” she rejoined, “you, in particular, are +essentially English by connection with the part of the +country you’re now staying in.” +</p> +<p>He smiled curiously. +</p> +<p>“So you or Nasmyth have been tracing up the +family!” +</p> +<p>“No,” she replied with a little sharpness. “Why +should I have done so? Of course, we knew the name; +and you have relations living at no great distance. I +understand Nasmyth got a hint that they would be +glad to receive you.” +</p> +<p>“Let it go at that,” he answered. “My father was +cast out because he dared to think for himself and my +mother was Canadian born. I’m a unit in the new nation; +one of the rank and file.” +</p> +<p>She considered this for a moment or two. It was +hardly an English point of view, but—for his family +had long been one of station—there was a hint of +pride that struck her as rather fine about this renunciation. +It was a risky thing to insist on being taken at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +one’s intrinsic value, stripped of all accidental associations +that might enhance it, but she thought he need +not shrink from the hazard. Now and then he spoke +with slightly injudicious candor, and sometimes too +vehemently, but in essential matters he displayed an +admirable delicacy of feeling and she recognized in +him a sterling sense of honor. +</p> +<p>“I’ve broken loose again and you’re feeling +shocked,” he said humorously. “It’s your own fault; +you have a way of making one talk. There’s no use +in discoursing to people who don’t understand. However—and +it’s much more important—how’s the book +getting on?” +</p> +<p>“More important than my wounded susceptibilities?” +Millicent laughed. “But we won’t mind them. +I’m pleased to say I’ve heard from the publishers that +it’s in strong request. Indeed, they add, rather superfluously, +that the demand is somewhat remarkable, considering +the nature of the work.” +</p> +<p>Lisle laughed at this. +</p> +<p>“Any more reviews?” +</p> +<p>She handed him several and he noticed the guarded, +unenthusiastic tone of the first two. +</p> +<p>“These are the people who prefer a thing like a +catalogue. This fellow says the first portion of the +book shows most care in particulars and classification—it’s +what one would expect from him. That was +your brother’s work, I think. He was not an imaginative +person.” +</p> +<p>“No,” replied Millicent. “He was eminently practical +and methodical.” +</p> +<p>“There’s a great deal to be said in favor of that +kind of man. You can trust him when it’s a case of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +grappling with practical difficulties. But I feel quite +angry with the next reviewer. ‘The illustrations are +rather impressionist drawings than a useful guide to +identification.’ The fellow would no doubt rather have +those stiff, colored plates which are about as like the +real, breathing creature as a stuffed specimen in a +museum.” +</p> +<p>Millicent was pleased with his indignation, but his +disgusted expression changed as he read the next cutting. +</p> +<p>“Now,” he exclaimed, “we’re arriving at the sound +sense of ordinary people, lovers of nature who’re not +naturalists. This man’s enthusiastic; the next review’s +even better!” He took up the others and there +was keen satisfaction in his eyes when he laid them +down. “Great!” he ejaculated. “I expected it. +You’ve made your mark!” +</p> +<p>The girl thrilled with pleasure; his delight at her +success was so genuine. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she told him, “the publishers suggest that +I undertake another and more ambitious work. I’ve +often thought that I should like to do so. The lonely +country between the Rockies and the Pacific has a peculiar +interest to me and I’ve long had a desire to follow +my brother’s trail. I don’t think it’s a morbid +wish—somehow I feel impelled to go.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a beautiful, wild land, and the creatures that +inhabit it are among the finest in the world. You +promised to let me be your guide, and you should take +Nasmyth, too; he’s a man to be depended on. You +could start in the early summer next year.” +</p> +<p>She smiled at his eagerness; but he suddenly grew +thoughtful. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p> +<p>“It’s curious how events seem to have started beside +those lonely river-reaches among the rocks,” he remarked. +“It was there that I got to know Nasmyth, +and through him I met you. It was there that I +learned something about your brother and Clarence +Gladwyne. The drama began in those wilds and I’ve +a feeling that it will end among them.” +</p> +<p>“The drama?” she queried, and he was conscious +that he had made a slip. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he answered, “before we crossed the big +divide I wasn’t aware of your existence, and I’d +only a hazy idea that I might come to England +some day. Now, if I may say it, I’ve joined your +group of friends and entered into their lives. One +feels it can’t have sprung from nothing; it isn’t blind +chance.” +</p> +<p>She mused for a few moments. +</p> +<p>“It’s strange,” she asserted, “but I’ve had something +of the same feeling. You seem to have become +a part of things, a connecting link between us all—Mrs. +Gladwyne, Clarence, Nasmyth, and even young +Crestwick. One could almost fancy that some mysterious +agency were working upon us through you.” +</p> +<p>He did not wish her to pursue this train of thought +too far. +</p> +<p>“I’ve promised to take Jim Crestwick back with +me,” he said. “I’m going as soon as I’m fit to get +about.” +</p> +<p>“Going back, in a few weeks?” +</p> +<p>“Yes. In many ways, I’m sorry; but I’ve had some +letters that show it’s needful. Business calls.” +</p> +<p>She made no reply for some moments. There was +no doubt that she would miss him badly, and she recalled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +the strange and tense anxiety of which she had +been conscious when he had fallen at the hurdles. +</p> +<p>“We have come to look upon you as one of us,” she +told him simply. “Somehow we never contemplated +your going away, and now it seems an almost unnatural +thing.” +</p> +<p>“It would be, if I broke off the connection with my +English friends, but I think that can’t be done. We’re +to see more of each other; I’m to be your guide when +you come out next year.” +</p> +<p>“It’s very likely that I shall come.” +</p> +<p>She left him shortly after this and walked home in +a thoughtful mood, regretting his approaching departure +and pondering over what he had said. With +reflection it became clearer that she had entertained +the same idea as his. He and she and the others he +mentioned were not acting and reacting upon one another +casually; it was all a part of a purpose, leading +up to something that still lay unrevealed on the knees +of destiny. Perhaps he had been right in speaking +of a drama; it suggested a sequence of prearranged +events, springing from George’s death. Reaching +home, she endeavored to banish these thoughts, which +were vaguely troublesome, but Miss Hume found her +preoccupied and absent-minded during the evening. +</p> +<p>The following day she went over to see Mrs. Gladwyne +and was asked to wait until her return. Shortly +afterward, Clarence entered the room where she was sitting, +and she alluded to her visit to Lisle. +</p> +<p>“He is going back as soon as he can stand the +journey,” she said. +</p> +<p>Gladwyne made an abrupt movement and she noticed +with surprise and some indignation the relief in his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +expression. Though the men had not been on very +cordial terms, it puzzled her. +</p> +<p>“You don’t attempt to conceal your satisfaction,” +she commented. “Isn’t it a little ungenerous?” +</p> +<p>His effort to recover his composure was obvious, but +he answered her quietly. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it is. After the accident—I think I +was partly blamed for that—he behaved very well; +told everybody about the slippery ground and said +what he could to exonerate me.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean to refer to that matter,” explained +Millicent. She knew that it was a painful one to +him. +</p> +<p>“Still,” he resumed, “even if it’s ungrateful, I am +rather glad he’s going.” +</p> +<p>“‘Rather glad’ hardly seems to describe it; you +looked overjoyed.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t be severe, Millicent. Let me explain. Since +Lisle came over, nothing has been quite the same. He +got hold of you and Nasmyth and the others, and in a +way alienated you from me. I don’t mean he did it +with deliberate intention, but he took up your time +and monopolized your interest. I’ve seen much less +of both of you.” +</p> +<p>“And, of late, of the Crestwicks.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” he returned in his most casual manner, “I +shouldn’t have had much more of their company in +any case. Jim’s going to Canada and Bella to Sussex. +I understand from Marple that it will be some +time before she visits us again.” +</p> +<p>Millicent was glad to hear it, but she made no comment. +</p> +<p>“It’s unreasonable to blame Lisle,” Gladwyne went +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span> +on; “though he did make some unpleasantness with +Batley; but I have had so many annoyances and troubles +since he arrived. Everything has been going +wrong and I can’t disassociate him from the unfortunate +tendency.” +</p> +<p>He sat where the light fell upon his face, and Millicent, +studying it, was stirred to compassion, which was +always ready with her. He looked harassed and nervous, +as if he had borne a heavy strain, and she knew +that the accident had preyed upon his mind. That, +she thought, was to his credit. In addition to this, +she had suspected that he was threatened with financial +difficulties. The man had a dangerous gift of rousing +women’s interest and sympathy. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” she said with sincere feeling. “You +should go away for a time. You need a change.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve thought of it; but I’m afraid I’ve been neglecting +things lately and there’s a good deal that needs +straightening up—farm buildings to be looked to, +the stream to dyke in the low ground, and that draining +scheme.” +</p> +<p>It was not all acting; he had meant to give those +matters some attention when he found it convenient, +and she was far from suspicious and was quick to take +the most favorable view of any one. That he recognized +his duties and intended to discharge them gratified +her. +</p> +<p>“I think,” she told him, “that if you undertake +these things in earnest, you’ll be better for the occupation; +and they certainly need looking after.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve been slack,” he owned. “I seemed to lose interest +and, as I said, I’ve had difficulties to distract +me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p> +<p>He had struck the right note again. Anything of +the nature of a confession or appeal for sympathy seldom +failed to stir her. +</p> +<p>“In fact,” he resumed, “I’m not clear of troubles +now. If I do half that I’m asked to do, it will nearly +ruin me, and I don’t know where to begin. I haven’t +any great confidence in Grierson’s advice; he doesn’t +seem to grip things readily.” +</p> +<p>“The trouble is that he has his favorites,” she said +bluntly. “I don’t think he suffers from any lack of +understanding.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” +</p> +<p>It was unpleasant, but she had courage and the +man was doing Clarence harm. +</p> +<p>“Well, there are people who can get very much +what they ask Grierson for, in the shape of repairs and +improvements, whether they need it or not.” +</p> +<p>“At my expense, while the rest get less than they +should have?” +</p> +<p>“A number of your tenants have got practically +nothing for some years. It’s false economy; you’ll +have to lay out twice as much as would keep them +here satisfied, when they leave you in disgust.” +</p> +<p>She supplied him with several instances of neglect, +and a few clever suggestions, and he looked at her +in admiration which was only partly assumed. +</p> +<p>“What an administrator you would have made!” he +exclaimed. “The place would thrive in your hands +and everybody be content. It’s obvious, quite apart +from his good qualities, why George was so popular.” +</p> +<p>Millicent did not suspect him of an intent to flatter +her, and she recognized that there was truth in what +he said. She knew everybody on the estate and knew +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +their most pressing needs, and she undoubtedly possessed +the power of management. She had a keen discernment +and could arrive at a quick and just decision. +</p> +<p>“Clarence,” she said, “I shouldn’t advise you to +take the business altogether out of Grierson’s hands. +He’s honest, so far as you are concerned, and one or +two of the hardest things he did were by your orders.” +</p> +<p>“You mean the Milburn and Grainger affair?” +He showed a little embarrassment. “Well, perhaps I +was hasty then, but they would have exasperated a +much more patient man. I sometimes feel that I can’t +please these people, whatever I do.” +</p> +<p>She smiled at this. +</p> +<p>“They’re not effusive, but they’re loyal once you +win their confidence. But, to go back to Grierson—let +him collect payments and handle the money, but +don’t ask his advice as to how you will lay it out. +Look around, inquire into things, and trust your own +judgment.” +</p> +<p>He turned to her beseechingly. +</p> +<p>“I can’t trust it in these matters—it hasn’t been +cultivated. If I’m to keep out of further trouble and +do any good, you must help me.” +</p> +<p>Millicent hesitated. It was not a little thing he +asked. To guide him aright would need thought and +patient investigation. Still, there was, as she had said, +so much to be done—abuses to be abolished, houses +to be made habitable, burdens to be lifted from shoulders +unable to carry them. There was also land the +yield from which could be increased by a very moderate +expenditure. She would enjoy the power to do +these things which the man’s demand for help offered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +her, but she was more stirred by his desire to redeem +past neglect and set right his failures. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she promised, “you shall have my candid +advice whenever you need it.” +</p> +<p>He showed his gratitude, but he was conscious of a +satisfaction that had no connection with the welfare of +his estate. He would have a legitimate excuse for seeing +her often; the work jointly undertaken would lead +to a closer confidence. He had always cherished a certain +tenderness for her; he must marry somebody with +money before long; and though Millicent’s means were +not so large as Bella’s, they were not contemptible. +He had not the honesty to let these thoughts obtrude +themselves, but they nevertheless hovered at the back +of his mind. It was more graceful to reflect that Millicent +possessed refinement, a degree of beauty, and +many most desirable qualities. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XX_MRS_GLADWYNE_S_TEMPTATION' id='XX_MRS_GLADWYNE_S_TEMPTATION'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>MRS. GLADWYNE’S TEMPTATION</h3> +</div> + +<p>Clarence had gone away with Batley when +Lisle called on Mrs. Gladwyne. She was leaving +home for a visit on the following day and +he wished to say good-by, and, if an opportunity offered, +to ask her opinion upon a matter he had at +heart. She was not a clever woman, but there were +points on which he thought her judgment could be +trusted. He was told that she would be occupied for +a few minutes and was shown into her drawing-room. +He sat down to wait and, though he was familiar with +the house, he looked about him with an interest for +which there was a reason. The room had always impressed +him by its size and loftiness, and it did so +more than ever that afternoon. +</p> +<p>The floor was of hardwood, polished to a glossy luster +by the hands of several generations, and the rugs +scattered here and there emphasized its extent. Most +of the furniture was old, and the few articles apparently +bought in later times harmonized with it. +The faded ceiling had been painted with Cupid’s trailing +ribands, he judged by some artist of the period +shortly preceding the French Revolution, and two or +three Arcadian figures hinted at the same date. There +were other things—a luster chandelier, quaintly-wrought +hearth-irons, a carved wood mantel—that +posited to bygone days. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></p> +<p>It all impressed him with a sense of the continuity +of English traditions and mode of life, as applied to +such families as the Gladwynes. Cradled in a degree +of luxury which nevertheless differed from modern profusion +and ostentation, steeped in a slightly austere +refinement, he could understand their shrinking from +sudden chance and clinging to the customs of the past. +They were all, so far as he had seen, characterized by +the possession of high qualities, with the exception of +Clarence, whom he regarded as a reversion to a baser +type; but he thought that they would suffer if uprooted +and transplanted in a less sheltered and less +cultivated soil. Inherited instincts were difficult to subdue; +he was conscious of their influence. He came +from a new land where he had often toiled for a dollar +or two daily, but a love and veneration for the ancient +English homes in which his people had lived was +growing strong in him. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne did not appear, but he had a good +deal to think of and was content to wait. He had +grown fond of the stately lady and it was, indeed, +largely for her sake that he had decided not to reveal +for a while what he knew about the tragedy in British +Columbia. He could not absolutely prove his version +of the affair, and it would bring distress upon the +mother of the offender; he had already waited two +years and, though he felt that his dead comrade had +a strong claim on him, he could wait a little longer. +Fate might place conclusive evidence in his hands or +remove some of his difficulties. Besides, he must go +back as soon as possible to the Canadian North, and in +one respect he was very loath to do this. +</p> +<p>At last he heard a footstep and his hostess came in. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +Her dress was not of the latest fashion, but it somehow +struck him as out of place; she ought to have +been attired in the mode of a century ago, with powder +in her hair. Nevertheless, fragile as she was, with her +fine carriage and her gracious smile, she made an attractive +picture in the ancient room. +</p> +<p>“I’ve come on an unpleasant errand—to say good-by—and +to thank you for many favors shown to a +stranger,” he said. +</p> +<p>“I think you were never that from the beginning,” +she told him. “By and by we learned the reason—you +really belong to us.” +</p> +<p>He made a gesture of humorous expostulation. +</p> +<p>“I like to believe that I belong here, but not because +of the explanation you give. It doesn’t seem +to be much to my credit that my forefathers lived in +this part of the country; I’d rather be taken on my actual +merits, if that isn’t, too egotistical.” +</p> +<p>“They did live here,” she rejoined. “You can’t +get over that—it has its influence.” +</p> +<p>It was the point of view he had expected her to +take. +</p> +<p>“We are very sorry you are going,” she continued; +“somehow we hardly anticipated it. Have you ever +thought of coming back for good?” +</p> +<p>She was unconsciously giving him the lead he desired, +but he would not seize it precipitately; he was +half afraid. +</p> +<p>“No,” he answered, smiling; “my work’s out yonder. +I couldn’t sit idle. I think Miss Gladwyne hit +it when she told me that I was one of the pioneers.” +</p> +<p>His hostess showed more comprehension than he had +looked for. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span></p> +<p>“Yes; I set you down as one of the men who prefer +heat and cold, want of food, and toil, to the comforts +they could have at home. I have met a few, sons of +my old friends, and heard of others. After all, we +have a good many of them in England.” +</p> +<p>“Troublesome people, aren’t they? What do you +do with them?” +</p> +<p>“Let them go. How do we rule India and hold so +much of Africa? How did we open up Canada for +you?” +</p> +<p>He nodded. +</p> +<p>“That’s right. It doesn’t matter that in respect +to Canada the sons of Highland peasants did their +share; the Hudson Bay people and the Laurentian +Frenchmen showed us the way. We found out what +kind of men they were when we went in after them.” +</p> +<p>There was silence for a few moments and he glanced +at her with admiration. The honorable pride of caste +she had shown strongly appealed to him. She stood +for all that was fine in the old regime, and once more +he wondered how such a woman could have borne such +a son. +</p> +<p>“I’m returning because business calls,” he explained. +“My means won’t keep me in idleness, and +that fact has a bearing on the question as to whether +I’ll ever come back again. It’s a very momentous one +to me.” +</p> +<p>She waited, noticing with some surprise the sudden +tenseness of his expression, until he spoke again, hesitatingly. +</p> +<p>“You are the only person I can come to for advice. +I’d be grateful for your opinion.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll try to give it carefully,” she promised. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span></p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “the life you people lead here has +its attractions; they must be strong to you. It would +be hard to break with all its associations, to face one +that was new and different; I mean for a woman to +do so?” +</p> +<p>“Ah!” she exclaimed, seeing the drift of his remarks +at last. “You had better tell me whom you are +thinking of.” +</p> +<p>“Millicent.” +</p> +<p>She started. This was a painful surprise, though +she now wondered why she had never suspected it. He +had met the girl frequently before his accident, and +she had since gone over to Nasmyth’s to talk with him +now and then; yet, for some not very obvious reason, +nobody seemed to have contemplated the possibility of +his falling in love with her. Mrs. Gladwyne had undoubtedly +not done so, and she was filled with alarm. +It was most desirable that Millicent should marry +Clarence. +</p> +<p>“How long have you had this in your mind?” she +asked. +</p> +<p>“That is more than I can tell you,” he answered +thoughtfully. “I admired her greatly the first time I +saw her; I admired her more when we made friends, +but I don’t think I went much farther for a while. In +Tact, I believe it was only when I knew I must go back +soon that I realized how strong a hold she had on me, +and then I fought against yielding. The difficulties +to be got over looked so serious.” +</p> +<p>“Has Millicent any suspicion of your regard for +her?” It was an important question and Mrs. Gladwyne +waited in suspense for his reply. +</p> +<p>“Not the slightest, so far as I can tell. I tried +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +to hide my feelings until I could come to a decision as +to what I ought to do.” +</p> +<p>This was satisfactory, provided that his supposition +was correct, and his companion could imagine his exercising +a good deal of self-repression. +</p> +<p>“What is your fear?” she asked. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m rough and unpolished compared with +Nasmyth and the rest, but with her large mind she +might overlook that. I couldn’t live here as Nasmyth +and Clarence do; I’m not rich enough. My wife, if +I marry, must come out West with me, and I might +have to be away from her for months now and then. +I don’t know that I could even establish myself in Victoria, +where she would find something resembling your +English society. Besides, my small share of prosperity +might come to an end; I’m going back now, sooner +than I expected, because there are business difficulties +to be grappled with.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne nodded. She could follow his +thought, but after a pause he continued. +</p> +<p>“What troubles me most is that Millicent seems so +much in harmony with her surroundings. We have +nothing like them in Canada—anyway, not in the +West. Whether ours are better or worse doesn’t affect +the case; they’re widely different. There is much +she would have to give up; what I could offer her in +place of it would be new and strange, less finished, +less refined. Could a woman of your station stand it? +Would she suffer from being torn adrift from the associations +that surround her here?” +</p> +<p>His companion considered. Allowing for his generosity +in thinking first of Millicent, he was a little too +practical and dispassionate. She did not think he was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span> +very greatly in love with the girl as yet, and that +was consoling. What Millicent thought she did not +know, but in many respects the man was eminently +likable. Mrs. Gladwyne had grown fond of him; but +that must not be allowed to stand in her son’s way. +Clarence came before anybody else. +</p> +<p>“I feel my responsibility,” she said slowly. +“Would you act on my advice?” +</p> +<p>“I think so—it might be hard. Anyway, I’d try.” +</p> +<p>She hesitated. The man had won her respect. Had +she been wholly free from extraneous influences she +might, perhaps, have counseled him to make the venture, +but half-consciously she tried to see only the +shadows in the picture he had drawn. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she answered him, “until two years ago +Millicent lived in this house—that must have had its +effect on her.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he agreed; “she shows it. These old +places set their stamp on people—it’s very plain +on you.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Gladwyne saw that he understood, but she felt +half guilty as she proceeded: +</p> +<p>“You admit that you could not give her anything of +this kind in Canada?” +</p> +<p>He laughed rather grimly. +</p> +<p>“No; our homes were built yesterday, and we move +on rapidly—they’ll be pulled down again to-morrow. +I’ll own that our ideas and manners are in the +same unfinished, transitory stage. We haven’t been +able to sit down and learn how to be graceful.” +</p> +<p>She made a sign of comprehension, though her reluctance +to proceed grew stronger. He was very honest +and there was pain in his face. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span></p> +<p>“Millicent,” she said, “is essentially one of us, used +to what we consider needful, bred to our ways. The +endless small amenities which make life smooth here +have always surrounded her. Can you imagine her, +for instance, living with the Marples?” +</p> +<p>“No,” he replied harshly; “I can’t.” +</p> +<p>“Then do you think it would be wise to take her +to Canada?” +</p> +<p>“I have thought she would not mind giving up +many things she values, if one could win her affection.” +</p> +<p>“That is very true; but it doesn’t get over the difficulty. +It isn’t so very hard to nerve oneself to make +a sacrifice, it’s the facing of the inevitable results when +the reaction sets in that tells. She would continually +miss something she had been used to and she would +long for it.” +</p> +<p>He sat silent for nearly a minute, with his face set +hard, and then he looked up. +</p> +<p>“If Millicent were your daughter, would you let +her go?” +</p> +<p>Again Mrs. Gladwyne hesitated. His confidence +hurt her; she shrank from delivering what she thought +would be the final blow, but she strove to assure herself +that she was acting in Millicent’s best interest. +</p> +<p>“No,” she answered, “not unless she was passionately +attached to the man who wished to take her +out, and then I should do my utmost to dissuade +her.” +</p> +<p>He made no answer for a few moments. Then +slowly he rose. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” he said gravely. “I’m afraid +you’re right. It’s generally hard to do what one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +ought. Well,”—he took the hand she held out—“I’m +grateful to you in many ways and I’d like you to +remember me now and then.” +</p> +<p>She let him go, and crossing the room to a window, +she watched him stride down the drive with a +swift, determined gait. He might be tried severely, +but there was little fear of this man’s resolution deserting +him. She was, however, troubled by a recurrence +of the unpleasant sense of guilt when he disappeared; +it was difficult to persuade herself that she had been +quite honest, and the difficulty was new to her. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile Lisle walked on rapidly, disregarding +the ache that the motion started in his injured +arm and shoulder. In his dejected mood, the +twinge at every step was something of a welcome distraction. +Since a sacrifice must be made, it should, +he resolved, be made by him; Millicent should not suffer, +though he admitted that he had no reason for +supposing that she would have been willing to do so. +She had never shown him more than confidence and +friendliness, and it was only during the past few weeks +that he had ventured to think of the possibility of winning +her. Even then, the thought had roused no excess +of ardent passion; much as he desired her, a strong +respect and steadfast affection were more in keeping +with his temperament. Nevertheless, had he known that +she loved him and he could confer benefits upon her in +place of demanding a sacrifice, he would have been +strangely hard to deter. +</p> +<p>On his return, Nasmyth met him at the door. +</p> +<p>“Where have you been?” he asked with some indignation. +</p> +<p>“To Mrs. Gladwyne’s,” Lisle informed him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span></p> +<p>“You walked to the house, after what Irvine said +when you insisted on his taking the bandages off?” +</p> +<p>“I took them off; he only protested. Anyway, I +didn’t break my leg.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth noticed his gloomy expression. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he responded, “I suppose there was very +little use in warning you to keep quiet; but you look +as if you had suffered for your rashness.” +</p> +<p>“That’s true,” answered the Canadian with a grim +smile. “After all, it’s what usually happens, isn’t +it?” +</p> +<p>They went in, Nasmyth a little puzzled by his companion’s +manner; but Lisle offered no explanation of +its cause. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXI_THE_LAST_AFTERNOON' id='XXI_THE_LAST_AFTERNOON'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>THE LAST AFTERNOON</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was a bright day when Lisle took his leave of the +Marples. They gave him a friendly farewell and +when he turned away Bella Crestwick walked with +him down the drive. +</p> +<p>“I don’t care what they think; I couldn’t talk to +you while they were all trying to say something nice,” +she explained. “Still, to do them justice, I believe +they meant it. We are sorry to part with you.” +</p> +<p>“It’s soothing to feel that,” Lisle replied. “In +many ways, I’m sorry to go. I’ve no doubt you’ll miss +your brother after to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said with unusual seriousness. “More +than once during the last two years I felt that it would +be a relief to let somebody else have the responsibility +of looking after him, but now that the time has come +I’m sorry he’s going. I can’t help remembering how +often I lost my temper, and the mistakes I made.” +</p> +<p>“You stuck to your task,” commended Lisle. “I +dare say it was a hard one, almost beyond you now +and then.” +</p> +<p>He knew that he was not exaggerating. She was +only a year older than the wilful lad, who must at +times have driven her to despair. Yet she had never +faltered in her efforts to restrain and control him; and +had made a greater sacrifice for his sake than Lisle +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +suspected, though in the light of a subsequent revelation +of Gladwyne’s character she was thankful for this. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she replied, “I suppose that one misses +a load one has grown used to, and I feel very downcast. +It’s hardly fair to pass Jim on to you—but I +can trust you to take care of him.” +</p> +<p>“You can trust the work and the country,” Lisle +corrected her with a trace of grimness. “He’s not +going out to be idle, as he’ll discover. There’s nothing +like short commons and steady toil for taming any +one. You’ll see the effect of my prescription when I +send him back again.” +</p> +<p>“He has physical pluck. I’m glad to remember it; +and he has shown signs of steadying since he found +Gladwyne out.” +</p> +<p>Lisle looked at her searchingly. +</p> +<p>“Since he found Gladwyne out?” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” she answered, seeing that she had been incautious, +“he rather idolized the man, and I suppose +it was painful to discover by accident that he wasn’t +quite all he thought him. Now, however, he has transferred +his homage to you—I’m afraid Jim must always +have somebody to prop him—but I’ve no misgivings.” +</p> +<p>Lisle laughed. +</p> +<p>“I’ve seldom had the time to get into mischief; I +suppose that accounts for a good deal.” +</p> +<p>They were nearing the lodge and she stopped and +held out her hand. +</p> +<p>“It’s hard to say good-by; you have helped me more +than you’ll ever guess, and you won’t be forgotten.” +Then as he held her hand with signs of embarrassment +she laughed with something of her usual mocking manner +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +and suddenly drew away. “Good-by,” she added. +“I was rather daring once and I suppose you were +shocked. I can’t repeat the rashness—it would mean +more now.” +</p> +<p>She walked back toward the house, and he went on. +Half an hour later he met Millicent, who stopped to +greet him. +</p> +<p>“I was on my way to call on you for the last time,” +he told her. +</p> +<p>There was something in his voice that troubled her, +and, though she had expected it, she shrank from the +intimation of his departure. +</p> +<p>“Then, will you come back with me?” she asked. +</p> +<p>“If you’re not pressed for time, I’d rather walk +across the moor, the way you once took me soon after +I came. I’d like to look round the countryside again +before I leave, though it will be a melancholy pleasure.” +</p> +<p>For no very obvious reason, she hesitated. It was, +however, hard to refuse his last request and she really +wished to go. +</p> +<p>“The views are unusually good,” she said, as they +started on. “Wouldn’t Nasmyth have gone with +you?” +</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t have been the same,” he explained. +“I’m storing up memories to take away with me and +somehow Nasmyth is most clearly associated with +Canada. When I think of him, it will be as sitting +in camp beside a portage or holding the canoe paddle.” +</p> +<p>“And you can’t picture my being occupied in that +way?” +</p> +<p>“No,” he answered gravely; “I associate you with +England—with stately old houses, with well-cared-for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +woods and quiet valleys. There’s no doubt that your +place is here.” +</p> +<p>He spoke as if he were making an admission that was +forced from him, and she endeavored to answer in a +lighter manner. +</p> +<p>“It’s the only one I’ve had an opportunity for trying.” +</p> +<p>“But you love this place!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said; “I love it very well. Perhaps I +am prejudiced, and I’ve only had a glimpse at other +countries, but I feel that this is the most beautiful +land in the world.” +</p> +<p>He stopped and glanced round. From where they +stood he could look out upon leagues of lonely brown +moors running back into the distance under a cloudless +sky. Beyond them the Scottish hills were softly +penciled in delicate gray. There was a sense of space +and vastness in the picture, but it was not that which +spoke most plainly to him. Down on the far-spread +low ground lay such white homesteads, built to stand +for generations, as he had never seen in Canada; parks +sprinkled with noble trees, amid which the gray walls +of some ancient home peeped out; plantations made +with loving care, field on field, fenced in with well-trimmed +trimmed hedges. +</p> +<p>It was all eloquent of order, security and long-established +ease; a strong contrast to the rugged wilderness +where, in the bush and on treeless prairie, men never +relaxed their battle with nature. In many ways, his +was a stern country; a land of unremitting toil from +which one desisted only long enough to eat and sleep, +and he was one of the workers. Mrs. Gladwyne +had been right—it was no place for this delicately +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +nurtured girl with her sensitiveness and artistic faculties. +</p> +<p>“For those who can live as you live, it would be +hard to find the equal of this part of England,” he +said. “But I’m not sure you can keep it very much +longer as it is.” +</p> +<p>“Why?” she asked. +</p> +<p>It was a relief to talk of matters of minor interest, +for he dare not let his thoughts dwell too much on the +subject that was nearest them. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he replied, “there’s the economic pressure, +for one thing; the growth of your cities; the demand +for food. I see land lying almost idle that could be +made productive at a very moderate outlay. Our people +often give nearly as much as it’s worth here for no +better soil.” +</p> +<p>“But how do they make it pay?” +</p> +<p>He laughed. +</p> +<p>“The secret is that they expect very little—enough +to eat, a shack they build with their own hands to +sleep in—and they’re willing to work sixteen hours +out of the twenty-four.” +</p> +<p>“They can’t do so in winter.” +</p> +<p>“The hours are shorter, but where the winter’s hardest—on +the open middle prairie—the work’s more +severe. There the little man spends a good deal of his +time hauling home stove-wood or building-logs for +new stables or barns. He has often to drive several +leagues with the thermometer well below zero before +he can find a bluff with large enough trees. In the +Pacific Slope forests, where it’s warmer, work goes on +much as usual. The bush rancher spends his days +chopping big trees in the rain and his nights making +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +odd things—furniture, wagon-poles, new doors for +his outbuildings. What you would call necessary +leisure is unknown.” +</p> +<p>This was not exaggeration; but he spoke of it from +a desire to support his resolution by emphasizing the +sternest aspects of western life. It had others more +alluring: there were men who dwelt more or less at +their ease; but they were by no means numerous, and +the toilers—in city office, lonely bush, or sawmill—were +consumed by or driven into a feverish activity. +As one of them, it was his manifest duty to leave this +English girl in her sheltered surroundings. There +was, however, one remote but alluring possibility that +made this a little easier—he might, after all, win +enough to surround her with some luxury and cultured +friends in one of the cities of the Pacific coast. +Though they differed from those in England, they +were beautiful, with their vistas of snow-capped mountains +and the sea. +</p> +<p>“But you are not a farmer,” she objected. +</p> +<p>“No; mining’s my vocation and it keeps me busy. +In the city, I’m at work long before they think of +opening their London offices, and it’s generally midnight +before I’ve finished worrying engineers and contractors +at their homes or hotels. In the wilds, we’re +more or less continuously grappling with rock or +treacherous gravel, or out on the prospecting trail, +while the northern summer lasts; it’s then light most of +the night. In the winter, we sometimes sleep in the +snow, with the thermometer near the bottom of its +register.” +</p> +<p>Millicent shivered a little, wondering uneasily why +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +he had taken the trouble to impress this upon her. It +was, she thought, certainly not to show what he was +capable of. +</p> +<p>“Are you glad to go back, or do you dread it?” +she asked. +</p> +<p>“I don’t dread it—it’s my life, and things may be +easier by and by. Still, I’m very loath to go.” +</p> +<p>Millicent could believe that. His troubled expression +confirmed it; and she was strangely pleased. She +had never had a companion in whom she could have +so much confidence, and she had already recognized +that she was, in one sense of the word, growing fond of +him. Indeed, she had begun to be curious about the +feeling and to wonder whether it stopped quite short +at liking. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she told him, “I’m glad that you asked me +to come with you. I think I was one of your first +friends and I’m pleased that you should wish to spend +part of your last day in my company.” +</p> +<p>“You come first of all!” +</p> +<p>“That’s flattering,” she smiled. “What about +Nasmyth?” +</p> +<p>“An unusually fine man, but he has his limits. You +have none.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not sure I quite understand you.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” he explained seriously, “what I think I +mean is this—you’re one of the people who somehow +contrive to meet any call that is made on them. You +would never sit down, helpless, in a trying situation; +you’d find some way of getting over the difficulties. +It’s a gift more useful than genius.” +</p> +<p>“You’re rating me too highly,” she answered with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +some embarrassment. “You admitted that you +thought my place was here—the inference was that I +shouldn’t fit into a different one.” +</p> +<p>“No,” he corrected her; “you’d adapt yourself to +changed conditions; but that wouldn’t prevent your +suffering in the process. Indeed, I think people of +your kind often suffer more than the others.” +</p> +<p>He was to some extent correct in his estimate of her, +but she shrank from the direct personal application of +his remarks. +</p> +<p>“Aren’t the virtues you have described fairly common?” +she asked. “I think that must be so, because +they’re so necessary.” +</p> +<p>“In a degree, I suppose they are. You see them, +perhaps, most clearly in such lands as mine. The +pioneer has a good deal against him—frost and floods, +hard rock and sliding snow; he must face every discomfort, +hunger and stinging cold. The prospector +crawls through tangled forests, and packs his stores +across snowy divides; shallow shafts cave in, rude dams +are swept away. A man worked to exhaustion on the +trail runs out of provisions and goes on, starving; he +lames himself among the rocks, sets his teeth and limps +ahead. I’ve thought the capacity to do so is humanity’s +greatest attribute, but after all it’s not shown in +its finest light battling with material things. When +the moral stress comes, the man who would face the +other often fails.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she asserted; “there are barriers that can’t +be stormed. Merely to acquiesce is the hardest thing +of all, but in that lies the victory.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a bitter one,” he answered moodily. +</p> +<p>There was silence for a few minutes while they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span> +strolled on through the heather. Afterward, Millicent +understood where his thoughts had led, but now she +was chiefly conscious of a slight but perplexing resentment +against the fact that he should discourse +rather crude philosophy. Indeed, the feeling almost +amounted to disappointment—it was their last walk, +and though she did not know what she had expected +from him, it was something different from this. Walking +by her side, with his fine poise, his keen eyes that +regarded her steadily when she spoke, and his resolute +brown face, he appealed to her physically, and in other +ways she approved of him. It was borne in upon her +more clearly that she would miss him badly, and she +suspected that he would not find it easy to part from +her. In the meanwhile he recognized that she had, no +doubt unconsciously, given him a hint—when the +moral difficulties were unsurmountable one must quietly +submit. +</p> +<p>They stopped when they reached the highest strip +of moor. The sun was low, the vast sweep of country +beneath them was fading to neutral color, woods, low +ridges, and river valleys losing their sharpness of +contour as the light left them. A faint cold wind +sighed among the heather, emphasizing the desolation +of the moorland. +</p> +<p>Millicent shivered. +</p> +<p>“We’ll go down,” Lisle said quietly; “the brightness +has gone. I’ve had a great time here—something +to think of as long as I live—but now it’s over.” +</p> +<p>“But you’ll come back some day?” she suggested. +</p> +<p>“I may; I can’t tell,” he answered. “I’ve schemes +in view, to be worked out in the North, that may make +my return possible; but even then it couldn’t be quite +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +the same. Things change; one mustn’t expect too +much.” +</p> +<p>His smile was a little forced; his mood was infectious, +and an unusual melancholy seized upon Millicent +as they moved down-hill across the long, sad-colored +slopes of heather. Then they reached a bare wood +where dead leaves that rustled in the rising wind lay +in drifts among the withered fern and the slender birch +trunks rose about them somberly. The light had almost +gone, the gathering gloom reacted upon both of +them, and there was in the girl’s mind a sense of something +left unsaid. Once or twice she glanced at her +companion; his face was graver than usual and he +did not look at her. +</p> +<p>It was quite dark when they walked down the dale +beneath the leafless oaks, talking now with an effort +about indifferent matters, until at last Millicent stopped +at the gate of the drive to her house. +</p> +<p>“Will you come in?” she asked. +</p> +<p>“No; Nasmyth’s waiting. I’m glad you came with +me, but I won’t say good-by. I’ll look forward to the +journey we’re to make together through British Columbia.” +</p> +<p>She held out her hand; in another moment he turned +away, and she walked on to the house with a strange +sense of depression. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXII_STARTLING_NEWS' id='XXII_STARTLING_NEWS'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>STARTLING NEWS</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was snowing in the northern wilderness and the +bitter air was filled with small, dry flakes, which +whirled in filmy clouds athwart the red glow of +a fire. A clump of boulders stood outlined beside a +frozen river, and behind the boulders a growth of willows +rose crusted with snow, while beyond them, barely +distinguishable, were the stunted shapes of a few +birches. So far the uncertain radiance reached when +the fire leaped up, but outside it all was shut in by a +dense curtain of falling snow. +</p> +<p>It had been dark for some time, and Lisle was getting +anxious as he lay, wrapped in a ragged skin coat, +in a hollow beside a boulder. A straining tent stood +near the fire, but the big stone afforded better shelter, +and drawing hard upon his pipe, he listened eagerly. +The effort to do so was unpleasant as well as somewhat +risky, for he had to turn back the old fur cap +from his tingling ears; and he shivered at every variation +of the stinging blast. There was nothing to be +heard except the soft swish of the snow as it swirled +among the stones and the hollow rumble of the river +pouring down a rapid beneath a rent bridge of ice. +</p> +<p>The man had spent the early winter, when the snow +facilitates traveling, in the auriferous regions of the +North, arranging for the further development of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +mineral properties under his control. That done, he +had, returning some distance south, struck out again +into the wilds to examine some alluvial claims in which +he had been asked to take an interest. It was difficult +to reach the first of them; and then he had spent several +weeks in determined toil, cutting and hauling in +wood to thaw out the frozen surface sufficiently to +make investigations. Crestwick had accompanied him, +but during the last few days he had gone down to a +Hudson Bay post with the owners of the claim, who +were returning satisfied with the arrangements made. +His object was to obtain any letters that might have +arrived, and Lisle, going on to look at another group +of claims, had arranged to meet him where he had +camped. +</p> +<p>It would be difficult to miss the way, for it consisted +of the frozen river, but Crestwick should have arrived +early in the afternoon and Lisle felt uneasy. On the +whole, the Canadian was satisfied with the conduct of +his companion. Deprived during most of the time of +any opportunity for dissipation, scantily fed, and +forced to take his share in continuous labor, the lad’s +better qualities had become manifest and he had responded +pluckily to the demands on him. Abstinence +and toil were already producing their refining effect. +Still, he had not come back, and with the snow thickening, +it was possible that he might not be able to keep to +the comparatively plain track of the river. There was +also the risk that by holding on too far when he saw +the fire he might blunder in among the fissured ice at +the foot of the rapid. +</p> +<p>Rising at length, Lisle walked toward the dangerous +spot, guiding himself by sound, for once he was out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +of the firelight there was nothing to be seen but a +white driving cloud. He knew when he had reached +the neighborhood of the rapid by the increased clamor +of the stream, and he crept on until he decided that he +was abreast of the pool below. The rapid was partly +frozen, but the ice was fissured and piled up at the tail +of it. +</p> +<p>Lisle could not remember how long he waited, beating +his stiffened hands and stumbling to and fro to +keep his feet from freezing, but at last, though he +could see nothing, he heard a crunching sound, and he +called out sharply. +</p> +<p>“I’ve got here!” came the answer. “Where shall +I leave the ice? Seems to be an opening in front of +me!” +</p> +<p>It was difficult to hear through the clamor of the +water and the crash of drifting ice; but Lisle caught +the words and called again: +</p> +<p>“Turn your back on the wind and walk straight +ahead!” +</p> +<p>He supposed that Crestwick was obeying him, but +a few moments later he heard a second shout: +</p> +<p>“Brought up by another big crack!” +</p> +<p>The voice was hoarse and anxious, and Lisle, deciding +that the lad was worn out by his journey and probably +confused, bade him wait, and hurrying down-stream a +little he moved out upon the frozen pool. He proceeded +along it for a few minutes, calling to Crestwick +and guiding himself by the answers; and then he +stopped abruptly with a strip of black water close beneath +his feet. On the other side was a ridge of +rugged ice; but what lay beyond it he could not +see. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></p> +<p>“I’m in among a maze of cracks; can’t find any +way out!” Crestwick cried, answering his hail. +</p> +<p>Lisle reflected rapidly as he followed up the crevasse, +which showed no sign of narrowing. The snow was +thick, the bitter wind increasing, and a plunge into +icy water might prove disastrous. It was obvious that +he must extricate his companion as soon as possible, +but the means of accomplishing it was not clear. Crestwick +was somewhere on the wrong side of the crack, +which seemed to lead right across the stream toward +the confusion of broken ridges and hummocks which, +as Lisle remembered, fringed the opposite bank. He +must endeavor to find the place where the lad had got +across; but this was difficult, for fresh breaches and +ridges drove him back from the edge. Presently the +chasm ended in a wide opening filled with an inky +flood, and Lisle, turning back a yard or two, braced +himself and jumped. +</p> +<p>He made out a shapeless white object ahead, and +coming to another crack he scrambled to the top of +an ice-block and leaped again. There was a sharp +crackle when he came down, the piece he alighted on +rocked, and Crestwick staggered. +</p> +<p>“Look out!” he cried. “It’s tilting under!” +</p> +<p>Lisle saw water lapping in upon the snow, but it +flowed back, and the cake he had detached impinged +upon the rest with a crash. +</p> +<p>“Come on!” he shouted. “The stream will jamb +it fast!” +</p> +<p>They reached the larger mass and moved across it, +but Lisle, clutching his companion’s arm, bewildered +and almost blinded by the snow, doubted if he were +retracing his steps. He did not remember some of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +ridges and ragged blocks over which they stumbled, and +the smaller rents seemed more numerous. It was evident +that Crestwick was badly worn out and they must +endeavor to reach the bank with as little delay as possible. +</p> +<p>At last they came to the broad crevasse, farther up +the stream, and Lisle turned to Crestwick. +</p> +<p>“Better take off your skin-coat. You’ll have to +jump.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t,” said the other dejectedly. “It’s not +nerve—the thing’s clean beyond me.” +</p> +<p>His slack pose—for he was dimly visible amid the +haze of driving snow—bore out his words. The long +march he had made had brought him to the verge of +exhaustion; his overtaxed muscles would respond to no +further call on them. For a moment or two Lisle +stood gazing at the dark water in the gap. +</p> +<p>“Then we’ll look for a narrower place,” he decided. +“Where did you get across?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know. Don’t remember this split, but the +ice was working under me. Perhaps the snow had +covered it and now it’s fallen in.” +</p> +<p>They scrambled forward, following the crevasse, +but could find no means of passing it and now and then +the ice trembled ominously. At last, when the opposite +side projected a little, Lisle suddenly sprang out from +the edge and alighted safely. +</p> +<p>“It’s easy!” he called, stripping off his long skin +coat and flinging one end of it across the chasm to +Crestwick. “Get hold and face the jump!” +</p> +<p>It was not a time for hesitation; the exhausted lad +dare not contemplate the gap, lest his courage fail him, +and nerving himself for an effort, he leaped. Striking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +the edge on the other side, he plunged forward as +Lisle dragged at the coat, and then rolled over in the +snow. He was up in a moment, gasping hard, almost +astonished to find himself in security, and Lisle led him +back to the snow-covered shingle. +</p> +<p>“It strikes me as fortunate that I came to look for +you,” he observed. “You’d probably have ended by +walking into the river.” +</p> +<p>“Thanks,” said Crestwick simply. “It isn’t the +first hole you’ve pulled me out of.” +</p> +<p>They reached the camp and the lad, shaking the +snow off his furs, sat down wearily on a few branches +laid close to the sheltering boulder, while Lisle took a +frying-pan and kettle off the fire, and afterward filled +his pipe again and watched his companion while he ate. +Crestwick had changed since he left England; his face +was thinner, and the hint of sensuality and empty self-assurance +had faded out of it. His eyes were less bold, +but they were steadier; and, sitting in the firelight, clad +in dilapidated furs, he looked somehow more refined +than he had done in evening dress in Marple’s billiard-room. +When he spoke, as he did at intervals, the confident +tone which had once characterized him was no +longer evident. He had learned to place a juster estimate +upon his value in the icy North. +</p> +<p>“I was uncommonly glad to see the fire,” he said at +length. “Another mile or two would have beaten me; +though I spent nearly twice as long in coming up from +the Forks as the prospectors said it would take. I was +going light, too.” +</p> +<p>“They’ve been doing this kind of thing most of +their lives. You couldn’t expect to equal them. +Where did you sleep last night?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></p> +<p>“In some withered stuff among a clump of willows; +I scraped the snow off it. That is, I lay down there, +but as the fire wouldn’t burn well, I don’t think I got +much rest. Part of the time I wondered what I was +staying in this country for. I didn’t seem to find any +sensible answer.” +</p> +<p>“You could get out of it when the freighters go +down with the dogs and sledges,” Lisle suggested. “It +would be a good deal more comfortable at Marple’s, for +instance.” +</p> +<p>“Do you want to get rid of me? I suppose I’m not +much help.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no!” Lisle assured him. “It only struck me +that you might find the novelty of the experience +wearing off. Besides, you’re improving; in a year +or two you’ll make quite a reliable prospector’s +packer.” +</p> +<p>“That’s something,” replied Crestwick, grinning. +“Not long ago I thought I’d make a sportsman; one +of Gladwyne’s kind. The ambition doesn’t so much +appeal to me now. But I want to be rather more than +a looker-on. Can’t you let me put something into one +of these claims?” +</p> +<p>“Not a cent! In the first place, you’d have some +trouble in raising the money; in the second, I might be +accused of playing Batley’s game.” +</p> +<p>“The last’s ridiculous. But if I’m not to do anything, +it brings me back to the question—why am I +staying here?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you that. I’ll only suggest that if you +hold out until you come into your property, you’ll go +back much more fit in several ways to look after it. I +should imagine you’d find less occasion to emulate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +people like Batley and Gladwyne then. Of course, +I don’t know if that’s worth waiting for.” +</p> +<p>It was the nearest approach to seriousness he considered +advisable, for precept was obnoxious to him +and apt to be resented by his companion. +</p> +<p>“Now,” he added, “what about the mail?” +</p> +<p>Crestwick produced a packet of letters which he had +not opened yet and Lisle glanced at two business communications. +The boulder kept off most of the snow, +and the glare of the snapping branches, rising and +falling with the gusts, supplied sufficient light. +</p> +<p>“Mine’s from Bella; there’s news in it,” Crestwick +remarked. “She says Carew—I don’t think you’ve +seen him—is anxious to marry her, and if she’s convinced +that I’m getting on satisfactorily, she’ll probably +agree. He’s—I’m quoting—about as good as +she’s likely to get; that’s Bella all over.” +</p> +<p>“What’s he like?” Lisle asked with interest. +</p> +<p>“To tell the truth, in one way I think she’s right—the +man’s straight; not the Marple crowd’s style. In +fact, I found him decidedly stand-offish, though I’ll +own there might have been a reason for that. Anyhow, +I’m glad; she might have done a good deal worse. +I suppose you won’t mind giving me a testimonial that +will set her doubts at rest?” +</p> +<p>“You shall have it. Since the man’s a good one, +I’m nearly as glad as you are. I’ve a strong respect +for your sister; she stood by you pluckily.” +</p> +<p>“That’s true,” asserted Crestwick. “I was a bit +of an imbecile, and she’s really hard to beat. She says +if the life here’s too tough for me I’m to come back +and live with them. That’s considerate, because in a +way she can’t want me, though I haven’t the least doubt +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +she’d make Carew put up with my company. It decides +the question—I’m not going.” +</p> +<p>“A little while ago you’d have taken Carew’s delight +for granted, wouldn’t you?” +</p> +<p>“I’m beginning to see things,” Crestwick answered +with a wave of his hand. Then he paused and looked +confused. “After all, though she says I’m to give +you the message, Bella really goes too far now and +then.” +</p> +<p>“She doesn’t always mean it. You may as well +obey her.” +</p> +<p>“It’s this—if it’s any consolation, she has no intention +of forgetting you, and Arthur—that’s the +fellow’s name—is anxious to make your acquaintance. +She says there are men who’re not so unresponsive as +you are, but Arthur has never been into the North to +get frozen.” +</p> +<p>Lisle laughed—it was so characteristic of Bella. +</p> +<p>“Here’s something else,” Crestwick proceeded; +“about Miss Gladwyne. Bella thinks you’d be interested +to hear that there’s a prospect of—” +</p> +<p>“Go on!” cried Lisle, dropping his pipe. +</p> +<p>“I can’t see,” said Crestwick. “You might stir +the fire.” +</p> +<p>Lisle threw on some fresh wood and poked the fire +savagely with a branch, and the lad continued, reading +with difficulty while the pungent smoke obscured the +light. +</p> +<p>“It seems that she saw Gladwyne and his mother +and Millicent together in town, and she afterward +spent a week with Flo Marple at somebody’s house. +Flo told her that it looks as if the long-deferred arrangement +was to be brought about at last.” He laid +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +down the letter. “If that means she’s to marry Gladwyne, +it ought to be prevented!” +</p> +<p>They looked at each other curiously, and Lisle, +struggling to command himself, noticed the lad’s +strained expression. +</p> +<p>“Why?” he asked with significant shortness. +</p> +<p>Crestwick seemed on the verge of some vehement outbreak +and Lisle saw that it was with an effort he refrained. +</p> +<p>“Oh, well,” he answered, “the man’s not half good +enough. He’s a dangerous rotter.” +</p> +<p>“Dangerous?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” returned Crestwick dryly; “I think that +describes it.” +</p> +<p>There was an impressive silence, while each wondered +how far he might have betrayed himself. Then Lisle +spoke. +</p> +<p>“Read the rest of the letter. See if Bella says anything +further.” +</p> +<p>“No announcement made,” Crestwick informed him +a little later. “All the same, Flo’s satisfied that the +engagement will be made known before long.” He +looked up at Lisle with uncertainty and anger in his +face. “It almost makes me forget Bella’s other news. +What can be done?” +</p> +<p>“What do you want to do?” +</p> +<p>“Don’t fence!” said Crestwick. “I’m not smart at +it. Don’t you know a reason why Miss Gladwyne +shouldn’t marry the fellow?” +</p> +<p>“Yes. It has nothing to do with you.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps not,” replied Crestwick. “I can only +say that the match ought to be broken off. It isn’t +to be contemplated!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span></p> +<p>“Well,” Lisle responded with forced quietness, “if +it’s any relief to you, I’ll write to Nasmyth the first +chance I get, asking what he’s heard. Now we’ll drop +the subject. Is there anything else of general interest +in your letter?” +</p> +<p>“Bella says her wedding won’t be until the early +summer and she’s thinking of making Carew bring +her out to Banff or Glacier—he came out shooting or +climbing once before. Then she’ll endeavor to look +us up.” +</p> +<p>He lighted his pipe and they sat in silence for a +while. Then Crestwick rose and bringing a blanket +from the tent wrapped it about him and lay down in +the lee of the boulder near the fire. A few minutes +later he was sound asleep; but Lisle sat long awake, +thinking hard, while the snow drove by above him. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIII_A_FORCED_MARCH' id='XXIII_A_FORCED_MARCH'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>A FORCED MARCH</h3> +</div> + +<p>When Crestwick awakened, very cold, and +cramped, a little before daylight the next +morning, it was still snowing, but Lisle was +up and busy preparing breakfast. +</p> +<p>“That looks like marching; I thought we were going +to lie off to-day,” observed the lad. +</p> +<p>“How do you feel?” Lisle inquired. +</p> +<p>“Horribly stiff; but that’s the worst. Why are you +going on?” +</p> +<p>“Because the freighters should leave the Hudson +Bay post to-morrow with their dog-teams. It’s the +only chance of sending out a letter I may get for a +long while, and I want to write to Nasmyth.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick shivered, glancing disconsolately at the +snow; he shrank from the prospect of a two days’ hurried +march. Had Lisle suggested this when he first +came out, the lad would have rebelled, but by degrees +the stern discipline of the wilds had had its effect on +him. He was learning that the weariness of the flesh +must be disregarded when it is necessary that anything +shall be done. +</p> +<p>“Oh, well,” he acquiesced, “I’ll try to make it. If +I can’t, you’ll have to drop me where there’s some +shelter.” +</p> +<p>He ate the best possible breakfast, for as wood was +scarce in parts of the country, and making a fire difficult, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +it was very uncertain when he would get another +meal. Then he slipped the pack-straps over his stiff +shoulders, and got ready to start with a burden he did +not think he would have been capable of carrying for +a couple of hours when he left England. +</p> +<p>“Now we’ll pull out,” he said. “But wait a moment: +I’d better look for a dry place to put this paper +currency.” +</p> +<p>“Where did you get it? You told me at the last +settlement that you had hardly a dollar left.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick grinned. +</p> +<p>“Oh, some of the boys offered to teach me a little +game they were playing when we thawed out that claim. +I didn’t find it difficult, though I must own that I had +very good luck. It was three or four months since I’d +touched a card, and there’s a risk of reaction in too +drastic reform. Anyhow, I’m glad I saw that game; +one fellow had a way of handling trumps that almost +took me in. If I can remember, it should come in useful.” +</p> +<p>Lisle made no comment; restraint, he thought, was +likely to prove more effective if it were not continually +exercised. They started and for several hours plodded +up the white highway of the river, leaving it only for +a while when the ice grew fissured where the current ran +more swiftly. White hills rose above them, relieved +here and there by a somber clump of cedars or leafless +willows and birches in a ravine. The snow crunched +beneath their feet, and scattered in a fine white powder +when they broke the crust; more of it fell at intervals, +but blew away again; and they held on with a nipping +wind in their faces and a low gray sky hanging over +them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span></p> +<p>Lisle, however, noticed little; he pushed forward +with a steady and apparently tireless stride, thinking +bitterly. Since his return to Canada, his mind had +dwelt more or less continuously on Millicent. He +recognized that in leaving her with his regard for her +undeclared he had been sustained by the possibility +that he might by determined effort achieve such a success +as would enable him to return and in claiming her +to offer most of the amenities of life to which she had +been accustomed. Though it had not been easy, he had +to some extent accomplished this. On reaching Victoria, +he had found his business associates considering +one or two bold and risky schemes for the extension of +their mining interests, which he had carried out in the +face of many difficulties. The new claims he had taken +over promised a favorable yield upon development; he +had arranged for the more profitable working of others +by the aid of costly plant; and his affairs were generally +prospering. +</p> +<p>Then, when he was satisfied with the result of his +exertions, Crestwick’s news had struck him a crushing +blow. He was wholly unprepared for it. Nasmyth +had spoken of a match between Millicent and Gladwyne +as probable, but the latter had devoted himself to Bella, +who had openly encouraged him. The change in the +girl’s demeanor had escaped Lisle’s notice, because he +had been kept indoors by his injury. Now the success +he had attained counted for almost nothing; he had +nobody to share it with. +</p> +<p>The subject, however, had another aspect; he could +have borne the shock better had Millicent yielded to a +worthy suitor, but it was unthinkable that she should +marry Gladwyne. She must be saved from that at any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +cost, though he thought her restored liberty would +promise nothing to him. Even if her attachment to +Gladwyne were free from passion, as Nasmyth had +hinted, she must cherish some degree of affection and +regard for the man. His desertion of her brother +could not be forgiven, but the revelation of his baseness +would not incline her favorably toward the person +who made it, as it would seem to be merely for the purpose +of separating her from him. +</p> +<p>Lisle set his lips as he looked back on what he now +considered his weakness in withholding the story of +Gladwyne’s treachery. Had he declared it at the beginning, +Mrs. Gladwyne would have suffered no more +than she must do, and it would have saved Millicent +and himself from the pain that must fall upon them. +He bitterly regretted that he had, for once, departed +from his usual habit of simply and resolutely carrying +out an obvious task without counting the cost. Still, +he could write to Nasmyth, and to do that he must +reach the Hudson Bay post on the morrow. He +trudged on over the snow at a pace that kept Crestwick +breathless. +</p> +<p>The bitter wind chilled them through in spite of +their exertion, and it had increased by noon, when +Lisle halted for a minute or two to look about him. +</p> +<p>They were in the bottom of a valley walled in by +barren hills; the bank of the frozen river was marked +out by snow-covered stones, but none of them was large +enough to rest behind, and one could not face the wind, +motionless, in the open. While he stood, a stinging icy +powder lashed his cheeks, and his hands grew stiff in +their mittens. +</p> +<p>“There’s not even a gulch we could sit down in,” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +said. “We’ll have to go on; and I’m not sorry, for +one reason. There’s not much time to spare.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick’s eyes were smarting from the white glare; +having started when weary from a previous journey, +his legs and shoulders ached; but he had no choice between +freezing and keeping himself slightly warm by +steady walking. It would, he knew, be harder by and +by, when his strength began to fail and the heat died +out of his exhausted body. +</p> +<p>“We’ll have to find a shelter for the tent by nightfall, +or dig a snowpit where there’s some wood,” he declared. +“I’ll try to hold out.” +</p> +<p>They proceeded and the afternoon’s march tried him +severely. Aching all over, breathing hard when they +stumbled among the stones to skirt some half-frozen +rapid, he labored on, regretting the comforts he had +abandoned in England and yet not wholly sorry that +he had done so. His moral fiber was toughening, for +after all his faults were largely the result of circumstances +and environment. Of no great intelligence, +and imperfectly taught, he had been neglected by his +penurious father who had been engaged in building up +his commercial prosperity; his mother had died when +he was young. +</p> +<p>One of his marked failings was an inability to estimate +the true value of things. He possessed something +of the spirit of adventure and a desire to escape from +the drab monotony of his early life, but these found +expression in betting on the exploits of others on the +football field and the turf, a haunting of the music-halls, +and the cultivation of acquaintances on the lowest +rung of the dramatic profession. All this offered him +some glimpses of what he did not then perceive was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +merely sham romance. Later when, on the death of +his father, wealth had opened a wider field, deceived by +surface appearances, he had made the same mistake, +selecting wrong models and then chiefly copying their +failings. Even his rather generous enthusiasm for +those whom he admired had led him farther into error. +</p> +<p>Now, however, his eyes had been partly opened. +Thrown among men who pretended nothing, in a land +where pretense is generally useless, he was learning to +depreciate much that he had admired. Called upon to +make the true adventure he had blindly sought for, he +found that little counted except the elemental qualities +of courage and steadfastness. Dear life was the stake +in this game, and the prizes were greater things than +a repute for cheap gallantry, and pieces of money; +they were the subjugation of rock and river, the conversion +of the wilderness to the use of man. Crestwick +was growing in the light he gained, and in proof of it +he stumbled forward, scourged by driving snow, +throughout the bitter afternoon, although before the +end of it he could scarcely lift his weary feet. +</p> +<p>It was getting dark, when they found a few cedars +clustered in the shelter of a crag, and Lisle set to work +hewing off the lower branches and cutting knots of the +resinous wood. Crestwick could not rouse himself to +assist, and when the fire was kindled he lay beside it, +shivering miserably. +</p> +<p>“There’s the kettle to be filled,” suggested Lisle. +“You could break the ice where the stream’s faster +among those stones; we’d boil water quicker than we’d +melt down snow.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick got up with an effort that cost him a good +deal and stumbled away from the fire. Then a gust of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +wind met him, enveloping him in snow-dust and taking +the power of motion momentarily away. He shook +beneath his furs in the biting cold. Still, the river was +near, and he moved on another few yards, when the +kettle slipped from his stiffened hands and rolled down +a steep slope. He stopped, wondering stupidly whether +he could get down to recover it. +</p> +<p>“Never mind; come back!” Lisle called to him. +“I’ll go for the thing.” +</p> +<p>The lad turned at the summons and sank down again +beside the fire. +</p> +<p>“I think I’m done,” he said wearily. “I may feel +a little more fit in the morning.” +</p> +<p>Lisle filled the kettle and prepared supper, and after +eating voraciously, Crestwick lay down in the tent. It +was in comparative shelter, but the frost grew more +severe and the icy wind, eddying in behind the rock, +threatened to overturn the frail structure every now +and then. He tried to smoke, but found no comfort in +it after he had with difficulty lighted his pipe; he did +not feel inclined to talk, and it was a relief to him +when Lisle sank into slumber. +</p> +<p>Crestwick long remembered that night. His feet +and hands tingled painfully with the cold, the branches +he lay upon found out the sorest parts of his aching +body, and he would have risen and walked up and down +in the lee of the rock had he felt capable of the exertion, +but he was doubtful whether he could even get +upon his feet. At times thick smoke crept into the +tent, and though it set him to coughing it was really a +welcome change in his distressing sensations. He was +utterly exhausted, but he shivered too much to sleep. +</p> +<p>At last, a little while before daybreak, Lisle got up +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +and strode away to the river after stirring the fire, and +then, most cruel thing of all, the lad became sensible +of a soothing drowsiness when it was too late for him +to indulge in it. For a few moments he struggled +hard, and then blissfully yielded. He was awakened +by his companion, who was shaking him as he laid a +plate and pannikin at his feet. +</p> +<p>“We must be off in a few minutes,” he announced. +</p> +<p>Crestwick raised himself with one hand and blinked. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know whether I can manage it.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” responded Lisle, hiding his compassion, +“you’ll have to decide which of two things you’ll do—you +can stay here until I come back, or you can take +the trail with me. I must go on.” +</p> +<p>Crestwick shrank from the painful choice. He did +not think that he could walk; but to prolong the experience +of the previous night for another twenty-four +hours or more seemed even worse. He ate his breakfast; +and then with a tense effort he got upon his feet +and slipped the straps of the pack over his shoulders. +Moving unevenly, he set off, lest he should yield to his +weariness and sink down again. +</p> +<p>“Come on!” he called back to Lisle. +</p> +<p>He sometimes wondered afterward how he endured +throughout the day. He was half dazed; he blundered +forward, numbed in body, with his mind too dulled to +be conscious of more than a despairing dejection. As +he scarcely expected to reach the post, it did not matter +how soon he fell. Yet, by instinctive effort stronger +than conscious volition, the struggle for life continued; +and Lisle’s keen anxiety concerning him diminished as +the hours went by. Every step brought them nearer +warmth and shelter, and made it more possible that help +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span> +could be obtained if the lad collapsed. That was the +only course that would be available because they were +now crossing a lofty wind-swept elevation bare of timber. +</p> +<p>It was afternoon when they entered a long valley, +and Lisle, grasping Crestwick’s arm, partly supported +him as they stumbled down the steep descent. Stunted +trees straggled up toward them as they pushed on +down the hollow, and Lisle surmised that the journey +was almost over. That was fortunate, for he had some +trouble in keeping his companion upon his feet. At +length a faint howl rose from ahead and Lisle stopped +and listened intently. The sound was repeated more +plainly, and was followed by a confused snarling, the +clamor of quarreling dogs. +</p> +<p>“Malamutes; the freighters can’t have started yet +with their sledges,” he said to Crestwick, who was holding +on to him. “I don’t think they can be more than +half a mile off.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll manage that somehow,” replied the lad. +</p> +<p>They went on through thickening timber, until at +last a log house came into sight. In front of it stood +two sledges, and a pack of snapping, snarling dogs +were scuffling in the snow. Lisle was devoutly thankful +when he opened the door and helped the lad into a +log-walled room where four men, two of whom wore +furs, were talking. The air was dry and strongly +heated, besides being heavy with tobacco smoke and +Crestwick sank limply into a chair. Gasping hard, he +leaned forward, as if unable to hold himself upright; +but Lisle was not alarmed: he had suffered at times, +when exhausted, from the reaction that follows the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span> +change from the bitter cold outside to the stuffiness of +a stove-heated room. +</p> +<p>“Played out; I’d some trouble to get him along,” he +explained to the men. “We’re going on to the claims +at the gulch to-morrow.” Then he addressed the two +in furs: “I guess you’ll take me out a letter?” +</p> +<p>“Why, of course; but you’ll have to hustle,” said +one of them, and Lisle turned to a man in a deerskin +jacket whom he took for the agent. +</p> +<p>“Can you give me some paper?” +</p> +<p>“Sure! Sit down right here.” +</p> +<p>It was not easy to write with stiffened fingers or to +collect his thoughts with his head swimming from the +change of temperature, but he informed Nasmyth +briefly of what he had heard and asked how much truth +there was in it. He added that he would have started +for England forthwith, only that he could not be sure +that this was necessary, and to leave his work unfinished +might jeopardize the interests of people who had staked +a good deal of money on the success of his schemes. +Nevertheless he would come at once, if Nasmyth considered +the match likely to be brought about and +would cable him at Victoria, from whence a message +would reach him. In the meanwhile, Nasmyth could +make such use of their knowledge of Gladwyne’s treachery +as he thought judicious. +</p> +<p>Shortly after he had written the letter the two men +in furs set out, and when the sound of their departure +had died away the agent addressed his guests. +</p> +<p>“I’ll fix you some supper; you look as if you needed +it. Rustle round, Larry, and get the frying-pan on.” +</p> +<p>They ate an excellent meal and shortly afterward +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +Crestwick crawled into a wooden bunk, where he reveled +in the unusual warmth and the softness of a mattress +filled with swamp-hay. He had never lain down to rest +in England with the delicious sense of physical comfort +that now crept over his worn-out body. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIV_MILLICENT_SUMMONS_HER_GUIDE' id='XXIV_MILLICENT_SUMMONS_HER_GUIDE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>MILLICENT SUMMONS HER GUIDE</h3> +</div> + +<p>Lisle was living luxuriously in Victoria when +Nasmyth’s answer reached him by mail. +Though it was still winter among the ranges +of the North, the seaboard city had been bathed in +clear sunshine and swept by mild west winds during the +past few days, and after the bitter frost and driving +snow Lisle rejoiced in the genial warmth and brightness. +There are few more finely situated cities than +Victoria, with its views across the strait of the white +heights of Mount Baker and the Olympians on the +American shore, even in the Pacific Province where +the environment of all is beautiful. +</p> +<p>Lisle was sitting in the hotel lounge after dinner +when three English letters were handed to him. The +sight of them affected him curiously, and leaning back +in his chair he glanced round the room. Like the rest +of the great building in which he had his quarters, it +was sumptuously furnished, but everything was aggressively +new. There was, he felt, little that suggested +fixity of tenure and continuity in the West; the +times changed too rapidly, people came and went, alert, +feverishly bustling, optimistic. In the old land, his +friends among the favored few dwelt with marked English +calm in homes that had apparently been built to +stand forever. Yet he was Western, by deliberate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +choice as well as by birth; while there was much to be +said for the other life which had its seductive charm, +the strenuous, eager one that he led was better. +</p> +<p>He opened the letters—one from Bella, announcing +her engagement and inquiring about her brother; a +second from Millicent, stating that it was decided that +she would visit British Columbia in the early summer; +and a third from Nasmyth, which, dreading its contents, +he kept to the last. +</p> +<p>He was, however, slightly reassured when he opened +it. Nasmyth’s remarks were brief but clear enough. +There was no actual engagement between Millicent and +Clarence, though Mrs. Gladwyne was doing her utmost +to bring one about and Millicent saw the man +frequently. In the meanwhile, he did not think there +was anything to be done; Lisle could not conclusively +prove his story, though he could make a disastrous sensation, +which was to be avoided, and it would be wiser to +defer the disclosure until the engagement should actually +be announced. Millicent’s attachment to Clarence +was not likely to grow very much stronger in a month or +two. In conclusion, he urged Lisle to wait. +</p> +<p>On the whole, Lisle agreed with him. Somehow +he felt that Millicent would never marry Gladwyne. +Apart from his interference, he thought that her instincts +would, even at the last moment, cause her to +recoil from the match. Furthermore, turning to another +aspect of the matter, he could not clear his dead +comrade’s memory by telling a tale that was founded +merely on probabilities. There was nothing for it +but to await events, though he was still determined to +start for England the moment Nasmyth’s letter made +this seem advisable. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span></p> +<p>Shortly afterward, one of his business associates +came in: a young man with a breezy, restless manner +who would not have been trusted in England with the +responsibilities he most efficiently discharged. In the +West, a staid and imposing air carries no great weight +with it and eagerness and even rather unguided activity +are seldom accounted drawbacks. There dulness +is dreaded more than rashness. +</p> +<p>“I’ve seen Walthew and Slyde,” he announced. +“It will be all right about the money; we’ll put the +hydraulic plant proposition through at the next Board +meeting. You’ll have to go back right away.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve only just come down; the frost’s not out of +me yet,” Lisle grumbled. “Besides, you seem to be +going ahead rather fast here in the city. Walthew’s +a little too much of a hustler; I’d rather he’d stop to +think. You’re almost as bad, Garnet.” +</p> +<p>The young man laughed. +</p> +<p>“I guess you can’t help it, it’s the English streak in +you; but in a way you’re right. Fact is Walthew and +I have hustled the rest of the crowd most off their +feet, and we mean to keep them on the jump. Last +meeting old Macalan’s eyes were bulging with horror, +he could hardly stammer out his indignation—said +our extravagance was sinful. Anyway, you’ve got to +go.” +</p> +<p>Lisle made an acquiescent grimace. His face was +strongly darkened by exposure to the frost and the +glare of the snow; his hands were scarred, with several +ugly recently-healed wounds on them. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he complied with some reluctance, “if it’s +necessary.” +</p> +<p>“It is,” Garnet explained. “Think we’re going to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +have washing plant worth a good many thousand dollars +left lying in the bush or dropped into rivers? +You’ll have to arrange for transport and break new +trails. You can do it best when the snow’s still on +the ground, and that plant must start working soon +after the thaw comes. We’ve got to justify our expenditure +while the season’s open.” +</p> +<p>“You haven’t got your authority to buy the plant +yet.” +</p> +<p>Garnet chuckled. +</p> +<p>“It was ordered, provisionally, the day you came +down; the makers are only waiting for a wire from +the Board meeting. In fact, I shouldn’t be astonished +if some of the work isn’t in progress now.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was quick of thought and prompt in action, +but he sometimes felt as if Garnet took his breath +away. +</p> +<p>“If you have it all arranged, I may as well agree,” +he laughed. “I’ll take Crestwick back.” +</p> +<p>“That reminds me; he said something about taking +an interest—asked if I could get him shares at a +moderate premium, though he owned that his trustees +might make trouble about letting him have the money.” +</p> +<p>“He’s not to have them!” Lisle replied emphatically. +“What’s more, the trustees won’t part with a +dollar unless I guarantee the project—I’ve been in +communication with them. Rest assured that the idea +won’t get my endorsement.” +</p> +<p>“I could never get at the workings of the English +mind,” Garnet declared. “Now if my relatives had +any money, I’d rush them all in. This is the safest +and best-managed mining proposition on the Pacific +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +Slope. What kind of morality is it that gathers in +the general investor and keeps your friends out?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know; it doesn’t concern the point. I’m +actuated by what you may call a prejudice. You +can’t remove it.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” Garnet responded good-humoredly, “it’s +a pretty tough country up yonder and I suppose the +lad’s of some service. You’re saving us a pile of +money in experts’ fees and I don’t see why you +shouldn’t put him on the company’s payroll. I mentioned +the thing to Walthew; he was agreeable.” +</p> +<p>They talked about other matters and presently +Crestwick came in, smartly dressed and looking remarkably +vigorous and clear-skinned. There were +many points of difference between his appearance now +and when Lisle had first met him. +</p> +<p>“Mr. Garnet has a proposition to make,” Lisle informed +him; and the Canadian briefly stated it. +</p> +<p>Crestwick did not seem surprised, nor did he display +much appreciation. +</p> +<p>“To tell the truth, I thought you might have mentioned +the matter before,” he remarked. “Still, if +you want my services, you’ll have to go up twenty +dollars.” +</p> +<p>“A week?” Garnet asked ironically. “You promise +well; if you stay here a year or two you’ll make +a useful and enterprising citizen. We could get an +experienced boss packer for what I offered you.” +</p> +<p>“Down here, yes. When he got to where the claims +are, he’d almost certainly drop you and turn miner, +and you couldn’t blame him. A man deserves a hundred +dollars a day merely for living up yonder. But +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span> +it’s a month I was speaking of. If you want me, you’ll +have to come up.” +</p> +<p>Garnet laughed. +</p> +<p>“I guess I can fix it; but we’ll get our value out +of you.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a compliment, if you look at it in one +way,” Crestwick grinned in reply. +</p> +<p>When Garnet had left them, he turned to Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Thanks awfully. Of course, it was your idea.” +</p> +<p>“Garnet suggested the thing; that’s more flattering, +isn’t it?” +</p> +<p>Crestwick looked at him, smiling. +</p> +<p>“I’m not to be played so easily as I was when I +first met you,” he said. “Of course, in a sense, the +pay’s no great inducement to me; it’s the idea of being +offered it. I’m going to advise old Barnes, my +trustee; he was fond of saying that I was fortunate +in being left well off because I’d never earn sixpence +as long as I lived, until I stopped the thing by offering +him ten to one I’d go out and make it in a couple +of hours by carrying somebody’s bag from the station. +Anyhow, this is the first move.” +</p> +<p>“Then you’re going farther?” +</p> +<p>“Quite so,” was the cheerful answer. “I’ll be a +director of this company before I’ve finished. You +can’t stop my buying shares when I come into my +property.” +</p> +<p>Lisle was conscious of some relief. It was a laudable +ambition and Crestwick promised to be much less +of a responsibility than he had once anticipated. +</p> +<p>“I’ve a letter from Bella,” Lisle told him. “She +still desires to be informed if you’re getting along +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +satisfactorily. I think I can tell her there’s no cause +for uneasiness.” +</p> +<p>“Bella’s a good sort,” returned Crestwick. “She’ll +stop asking such questions by and by. At least, I +think she’ll have some grounds for doing so.” +</p> +<p>They went out into the city and a week afterward +they sailed together for the North. It was still winter +in the wilds, and though that made Lisle’s work a +little easier, because rivers and lakes and muskegs +were frozen, he found it sufficiently arduous. He had +to survey and break new trails suitable for the conveyance +of heavy machinery, up rugged valleys and over +high divides, and to arrange for transport—canoes +here, a log-bridge there, relays of packers farther on. +No man’s efforts could be wasted, for time was precious +and wages are high in the wilderness. Then, when at +last the frost relaxed its grip and rock and snow and +loosened soil came thundering down the gullies in huge +masses, the work grew more difficult as he began to +build a dam. +</p> +<p>Some of the men sent up to him, artizans from the +cities, sailor deserters, dismayed by the toils of the +journey and the nature of their tasks, promptly +mutinied on arrival. Others dispatched after them +failed to turn up, and Lisle never discovered what became +of them. The camp-site was a sea of puddled +mire with big stones in it; tents and shacks were almost +continuously dripping; and every hollow was +filled with a raging torrent. Nobody had dry clothes, +even to sleep in; the work was mostly carried on knee-deep +in water, and at first things got little better as +the days grew warmer. The hill-benches steamed and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +clammy mists wrapped the camp at night; the downward +rush of melting snow increased, and several times +wild floods swept away portions of the dam and half-built +flume. +</p> +<p>In spite of it all, the work went on: foot by foot the +wall of pile-bound rock rose and the long wooden +conduit curved away down the valley; and when at +length the hydraulic plant began to arrive, piecemeal, +Lisle found Crestwick eminently useful. He superintended +the transport, patrolling the trails and keeping +them repaired. His skill with shovel and ax was +negligible, but he could send a man or two to mend +the gap where the path had slipped away down some +gully or to fling a couple of logs across a swollen +creek that could not be forded. He got thinner and +harder from constant toil and from sleeping, often +scantily fed, unsheltered in the rain. +</p> +<p>After a while, however, there was a pleasant change: +the days grew hot, the nights were clear and cold, +and the short, vivid summer broke suddenly upon the +mountain land. Then it seldom rained, as the high +seaward barrier condensed most of the Pacific moisture, +but at times the clouds which crossed the summits +unbroken descended in a copious deluge, and it was in +the midst of such a downpour that Crestwick returned +to camp one evening after a week’s absence on the +trail. His dripping garments were ragged, his boots +gaped open, and his soft felt hat had fallen shapeless +about his head. He found Lisle in a similar guise +sitting at his evening meal. +</p> +<p>“Have they got the pipes and those large castings +across the big ravine?” Lisle asked. +</p> +<p>“Yes, that has been done,” Crestwick answered. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span> +“By the way, one of the packers told me that the +man who’s coming up to run the plant—Carsley, isn’t +it?—has arrived. There were some fittings or something +wrong and he stopped behind to investigate, but +the packer seemed to think he’d get through soon +after I did. That turns us loose, doesn’t it?” +</p> +<p>“I dare say I could hand things over to him in +about a week,” replied Lisle. “Then we’ll clear out. +I suppose you won’t be sorry?” +</p> +<p>Crestwick stretched out his feet to display his +broken boots and rent trousers. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “since I left here, I’ve spent a +good deal of my time in an icy creek, and it’s nearly +a week since I had any sleep worth speaking of. We +had to make a bridge for the freighters to bring those +castings over and we’d no end of trouble to get the +stringers fixed—the stream was strong and we had to +build a pier in it. Not long ago, I’d have considered +anybody who did this kind of thing without compulsion +mad, but in some mysterious way it grows on +you. I don’t pretend to explain it, but it won’t be +with unmixed delight that I’ll go back to the city.” +</p> +<p>He paused and fumbled in his pocket. +</p> +<p>“I was forgetting your mail. I’m afraid it’s rather +pulpy, but I couldn’t help that. By the way, I’d a +letter from Bella, written at the Frontenac, Quebec. +She’s brought Carew out; they’re going to Glacier +very soon, and she still intends to look me up.” +</p> +<p>Lisle opened the letters handed him and managed +to read them, though their condition fully bore out +Crestwick’s description. Two or three were on business +matters, but there was one from Millicent, and +he started at the first few lines. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span></p> +<p>“Miss Gladwyne and Miss Hume have sailed—they +must have landed a week ago,” he announced. “She +wants to go over the ground her brother traversed—you +have heard of that project. Nasmyth sailed a +week earlier to arrange matters at this end; but I don’t +know how Miss Hume will get along.” +</p> +<p>“It’s merely a question of transport,” asserted +Crestwick with the air of an authority on the subject. +“So long as you provide sufficient packers, with relays +from supply bases, you can travel in comparative +comfort, though it’s expensive.” Then an idea occurred +to him. “They’re pretty sure to run across +Bella; Miss Gladwyne knows Carew.” +</p> +<p>Lisle sat silent a few minutes, conscious of a strong +satisfaction. Millicent was in Canada, and there was +no mention of Gladwyne! Then it struck him as curious +that Bella should have come over at the same time. +As Millicent knew Carew, it was very probable that +Bella would insist on joining the expedition, which +Millicent might agree to, if, as seemed likely, her +rather elderly companion had to be left behind. +Nasmyth had, no doubt, already reached British +Columbia; and it looked as if those indirectly brought +together by George Gladwyne’s tragic death would be +reunited at the scene of it. This was, Lisle reflected, +merely the result of a natural sequence of events, but +there was for all that something strangely significant +about it. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “it has been arranged that I’m to +act as guide, and Miss Gladwyne says they’ll wait for +me. As that’s the case, I don’t see why I shouldn’t +start as soon as Carsley gets through. I shouldn’t +wonder if he brings a letter from Nasmyth. It will be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +a tough journey, and I’ll have to break a new trail. +Are you coming, or will you head for Vancouver to +join Bella?” +</p> +<p>“We’ll stick together,” replied the lad. “Bella’s +to stay over here some months, and if she decides to +join Miss Gladwyne she’ll leave Glacier long before I +could reach the place.” +</p> +<p>Lisle rose and shook out his pipe. +</p> +<p>“Then,” he responded, “I’ll take a look around, and +you had better start off the first thing to-morrow and +hurry those castings on. There’s a good deal to be +done if we’re to get away when Carsley turns up.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXV_A_RELIABLE_MAN' id='XXV_A_RELIABLE_MAN'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>A RELIABLE MAN</h3> +</div> + +<p>The sun had just dipped behind a black ridge +of hills, and the lake lay still, mirroring the +tall cedars on its farther shore. A faint chill +was creeping into the mountain air, which was scented +with resinous smoke, and somewhere across the water +a loon was calling. A cluster of tents stood upon the +shingle, and in front of the largest Millicent reclined +in a camp-chair. Near her Miss Hume sat industriously +embroidering; and Nasmyth lay upon the +stones. Bella occupied another camp-chair, a young +man with a pleasant brown face sitting at her feet; +and farther along the beach a group of packers in blue +shirts and duck trousers lay smoking about a fire. By +and by one rose and when he began to hack at a drift-log +the sharp thudding of his ax startled the loon +which departed with a peal of shrieking laughter. +</p> +<p>The party had reached the fringe of the wilderness +after a long stage journey from the railroad through +a rugged country. They had met with no mishaps +beyond a delay in the transport of some of their baggage, +and everything had been made comparatively +easy for them; but they knew that henceforward there +might be a difference. Man must depend largely upon +his own natural resources in the wilds, where, after +furnishing the traveler with the best equipment and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +packers to carry it, the power of wealth is strictly +limited. A recognition of the fact hovered more or +less darkly in all their minds, but Millicent was the +first to hint at it. +</p> +<p>“So far we have had absolutely nothing to complain +of except a little jolting in the stage,” she said. “I’m +beginning to understand why adventurous sight-seers +are coming out here—it’s a glorious country!” +</p> +<p>“It’s my duty to point out that it won’t be quite +the same as we go on,” Nasmyth remarked. “What +do you say, Carew?” +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t matter; he’s said it all before,” Bella +broke in. “I’ve had to listen to appalling accounts +of his previous adventures in Canada, which were, no +doubt, meant to deter me; but the reality is that the +hotels at Banff and Glacier are remarkably comfortable, +and I haven’t the least fault to find with this +camp. We ought to be grateful to Millicent for letting +us come, and though Arthur hinted that it would +be a rather sociable honeymoon, I said that was a +safeguard. One’s illusions might get sooner shattered +in a more conventional one.” She stooped and +ruffled her husband’s hair. “Still, he hasn’t deteriorated +very much on closer acquaintance, and perhaps +I’m fortunate in this.” +</p> +<p>Millicent sat silent for a few moments. She knew, +to her sorrow, one man who did not improve the more +one saw of him, and that was the man she had tacitly +agreed to marry. She could not tell why she had +done so—she had somehow drifted into it. Interest, +family associations, a feeling that could best be described +as liking, even pity, had played their part in +influencing her, and now she realized that she could +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +not honorably draw back when he formally claimed +her. She laughed as one of the packers who had a +good voice broke into a song. +</p> +<p>“That’s the climax; it needs only the cockney accent +to make the thing complete,” she said. “When +I was last in London, one heard that silly jingle everywhere. +I suppose it’s a triumph of the music-halls.” +</p> +<p>“Or of modern civilization—a rendering of distance +of no account,” suggested Carew. “There’s a +good deal to be said for the latter achievement, as we +are discovering.” +</p> +<p>“Distance,” declared Bella, “still counts for something +here. I’ve been thinking about Jim all day; +imagining him dragging his canoe through the timber +beyond those hills, and wondering whether he’d find +us when he got to the other side.” +</p> +<p>“She has been doing more,” her husband broke +in. “Though she hasn’t confessed it, she has been +looking out for him ever since this morning. In fact, +I discovered that our cook is keeping a supper ready +that would satisfy four or five men.” +</p> +<p>Bella turned to Millicent with a smile. +</p> +<p>“Do you think the meal will be wasted?” she asked. +</p> +<p>“No; I can hardly believe it.” +</p> +<p>“Mark the assurance of that answer,” commented +Carew. “A man couldn’t feel it; it’s irrational. +Miss Gladwyne speaks with a certainty that our guide +will come, though she has nothing to base her calculations +on—she doesn’t know the distance or the difficulties +of the way.” +</p> +<p>“What does that matter?” Bella retorted. “She +knows the man.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span></p> +<p>Carew made a grimace. +</p> +<p>“A woman’s reasoning. As we’ve nothing better to +do, I’ll try to show the absurdity of it. A man, so +far as he concerns this discussion, consists of a certain +quantity of bones, with muscles and tendons capable +of setting them in motion—” +</p> +<p>“Be careful,” Bella warned him. “It’s safer to +avoid these details. Besides, you’re leaving something +out; I don’t mean the nerve-cells, but the inner personality, +whatever it is, that commands them.” +</p> +<p>“I’m trying to show that, as a mechanical structure, +he is capable of moving his own weight and so much +extra a limited distance in a given time, so long as +he can secure the necessary food and sleep. Neither +the weight nor the distance can be increased except +by an effort which, if continued, will soon reduce them +below their former level.” +</p> +<p>Bella laughed. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said, “that’s how you reason—mechanically. +We’re different.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll take quite another line,” Nasmyth interposed. +“Lisle’s traversing a country new to him; he can’t +tell what rapids, ranges, or thick timber may cause +delay. No amount of determination will enable one, +for instance, to knock more than a few minutes off +the time needed to carry a canoe round a portage, nor +by any effort can one cross a range as quickly as one +can walk up a valley. Isn’t that clear, Millicent?” +</p> +<p>There was a smile in the girl’s eyes. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she replied, “but, all the same, Lisle’s supper’s +waiting.” +</p> +<p>“Such confidence makes one jealous,” grumbled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +Carew. “Lisle, whom I haven’t met, is evidently a +man who keeps his promise. That means a good +deal.” +</p> +<p>“A very great deal,” Bella assured him. “Since +one’s bound to meet with difficulties one can’t foresee, +it proves that one man has resource, resolution, and +many other eminently useful qualities; but all this is +getting too serious. I’d better point out that Lisle +hasn’t even promised to meet us here at any particular +time.” She paused and laughed mischievously. +“Millicent merely sent for him, mentioning to-morrow +as the day she would like to start.” +</p> +<p>A little color crept into Millicent’s face, but Bella +went on: +</p> +<p>“She called and I haven’t the least doubt that our +guide set out, over ranges, up rapids, across wide lakes. +One can’t imagine that man taking it easily, and +there’s the obvious fact that Jim will have to keep up +with him. He will find it hard, but I dare say it will +do him good.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed and strolled away with Carew. +The sunset green grew dimmer behind the hills and a +pale half-moon appeared above the shadowy woods. +It was very still, except for the lapping of the water +upon the stones. +</p> +<p>Bella leaned back lazily in her chair. +</p> +<p>“This is delightful,” she exclaimed. “Didn’t +Clarence want to come?” +</p> +<p>The unexpectedness of the question startled Millicent +into answering: +</p> +<p>“He didn’t know.” +</p> +<p>“Ah! Then you didn’t tell him? Why didn’t +you?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span></p> +<p>It was difficult to reply, but there was something in +Bella’s voice that disarmed Millicent’s resentment. +Bella had grown gentler since her marriage and less +often indulged in bitterness. +</p> +<p>“I think,” said Millicent, “I didn’t want any one +to distract me; I’m going to make photographs and +sketches for the book, you know.” +</p> +<p>“But you let us come!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” assented Millicent; “you’re different.” +</p> +<p>“That’s true. We won’t disturb you; and Nasmyth +wouldn’t count. He’s an unobtrusive person, only to +the front when he is wanted, which is a good deal to +say for him; he doesn’t expect anything. No doubt, +the same applies to Lisle.” +</p> +<p>Millicent made no answer and Bella wondered +whether she had gone too far. +</p> +<p>“But didn’t Clarence hear that you were going?” +she asked. +</p> +<p>“He was in Switzerland with his mother. She had +been recommended to try a change.” +</p> +<p>Bella asked no more questions and Millicent sat +wondering how far she had been influenced by the +reason she had given for leaving Clarence behind. +She had undoubtedly desired to be free to devote herself +to the gathering of material for her book, but that +was not quite all. She had also half-consciously +shrunk from the close contact with Clarence which +would have been one result of their life in camp, but +this she refused to admit. It was clearer that she desired +an extension of the liberty which she must sometime +relinquish. Taking it all round, she was rather +troubled in mind. +</p> +<p>“There’s one thing,” remarked Bella. “He can’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span> +write you any reproachful letters for stealing away. +At least, if he does so, you won’t get them.” +</p> +<p>This, as Millicent recognized, was a relief, but Miss +Hume broke in upon her reflections with some trifling +request and soon afterward the men strolled back toward +the fire. The packers had already gone to sleep; +the dew was heavy, but Nasmyth lay down on the +shingle and Carew took a place beside his wife’s chair. +Suddenly Millicent leaned forward with her face turned +toward the lake. +</p> +<p>“Listen!” she cried sharply. “Can’t you hear +something?” +</p> +<p>No sound reached the others for a moment; and then +Nasmyth jumped up. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he exclaimed; “canoe paddles.” +</p> +<p>A measured beat stole out of the silence, increasing +until it broke sharply through the tranquil lapping of +the water. Then, far up the glittering lake, a dim +black bar crept out into the moonlight and by degrees +grew plainer. +</p> +<p>“Of course, they may be Indians,” Bella suggested +mischievously. +</p> +<p>Carew included Millicent in his answering bow. +</p> +<p>“No; I believe I’m beaten. You and Miss Gladwyne +were right.” +</p> +<p>The moonlight was on Millicent’s face, and Bella, +watching her, read something that roused her interest +in its expression—it was stronger than satisfaction, +a deeper feeling not unmixed with pride. She had +called and the man she had summoned from the depths +of the wilderness had responded. +</p> +<p>A few minutes later the canoe grounded noisily on +the shingle and Crestwick leaped out; Bella, regardless +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +of the others, flung her arms about his neck and kissed +him; and then she held him off so that she might see +him. His garments were rent and tattered, his face +was very lean, and one of his hands was bleeding from +continuous labor with the paddle. +</p> +<p>“Oh!” she cried; “you disreputable scarecrow! +You’re not fit for select society. And how long is it +since you had anything to eat?” +</p> +<p>“We had a rather rough time getting through; there +was thick scrub timber in some of the valleys,” Crestwick +explained. “We might have made things easier +by spending another few days on the trail, but Lisle +wouldn’t listen when I suggested it.” +</p> +<p>“Then you did suggest it,” said Bella reproachfully. +“Of course, I’m merely your sister.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want a better one,” Crestwick rejoined, +grinning. “It strikes me you’re looking prettier than +you did; but that’s perhaps because you have taken to +wearing more ladylike clothes. As regards my appearance, +I’ll venture to say that yours will be very +much the same before you’ve finished this journey.” +</p> +<p>Lisle had walked toward Miss Hume and had shaken +hands with her before he turned to Millicent. That +pleased the girl. +</p> +<p>“We ran it rather close, but the day isn’t quite +finished yet,” he laughed. “We had some little +trouble once or twice which prevented our turning up +earlier.” +</p> +<p>Millicent smiled in a manner that sent a thrill +through him. +</p> +<p>“I can only say that we kept your supper; but +that’s significant, isn’t it?” Then she called to +Nasmyth. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span></p> +<p>“Will you see if the cook’s awake?” +</p> +<p>She had no opportunity for saying anything further, +for Carew came up with Bella, who was voluble, and +some time later Lisle and Crestwick sat down to a +bountiful meal, while Millicent and Bella waited on +them. Lisle was slightly embarrassed by their ministrations, +but Crestwick openly enjoyed them. +</p> +<p>“Put the plate where I can reach it easily,” he bade +his sister. “Look how you have placed that cup; if +I move, it will spill!” +</p> +<p>“You have more courage than I have, Jim,” Carew +remarked with a smile. +</p> +<p>“I’ve needed it,” the lad declared. “I’ve borne +enough from Bella in my time. She’ll no doubt say +that I deserved it, and there may be some ground for +the notion.” +</p> +<p>When the meal was finished they all gathered round +the replenished fire, Lisle lying back in the shadow +because of the state of his clothes. With the exception +of Jim, the others were dressed much as they had +been at home; their conversation was light and easy, +and their manner tranquil. If he could have blotted +out the background of tall straight trunks and +shadowy rocks, he could have imagined that they were +lounging on a sheltered English lawn. Double-skinned +tents, camp-chairs, and other signs of a regard for +physical comfort bore out the idea in his mind. +These English people with their quiet confidence that +what they needed—and that was a good deal—would, +as had always happened, somehow be supplied, were at +once exasperating and admirable. They were the +same everywhere, unmoved by change, claiming all that +was choicest as by right, and very much at ease on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span> +the fringe of the wilderness. They did not belong to +it; one could have imagined that it belonged to them. +Their journey, however, had only begun, and there +were alterations that must obviously be made on the +morrow. +</p> +<p>Then Lisle yielded to a strong sense of satisfaction. +For the next month or two he would be almost constantly +in Millicent’s company; her companions were +his friends, and he thought that he would not be +troubled by Gladwyne’s presence. Desiring to assure +himself on the latter point, he turned to Bella. +</p> +<p>“Nobody has mentioned Clarence. I was wondering +if he would join us?” +</p> +<p>“No,” she answered, smiling at him meaningly; +“he wasn’t invited.” Then she moved away, leaving +Lisle more deeply content. +</p> +<p>Presently the party broke up, and when they reached +the tent they jointly occupied, Miss Hume remarked +to Millicent: +</p> +<p>“You look unusually pleased, my dear.” +</p> +<p>“I dare say I do,” Millicent smiled. “It’s something +to feel that one’s confidence has been justified, +and perhaps rather more to rest assured that everything +will now go as smoothly as possible.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you mean since Mr. Lisle has come? +Apart from his practical abilities, I’m fond of that +man. No doubt you noticed that he came first to me, +as the eldest, though he is aware that I’m only a dependent. +In a way, of course, he wasn’t altogether +right, Bella Carew being married and you the actual +hostess.” +</p> +<p>“I wonder if such points are of any importance in +the bush,” Millicent answered, laughing. “But I’m +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span> +glad Mr. Lisle’s action won your good opinion. I +like my friends to be graceful.” +</p> +<p>Miss Hume, faded, gray-haired and formal, looked +reflective. +</p> +<p>“The word you used is not quite the one I should +have chosen. Clarence Gladwyne is graceful; I think +this Canadian is something better. To-night he was +actuated by genuine chivalry. My esteem may not be +worth much, but it is his.” +</p> +<p>Moved by some impulse, Millicent kissed her. +</p> +<p>“I’ve no doubt he’d value it. But I can’t have +Clarence depreciated; and it’s getting very late.” +</p> +<p>Miss Hume noticed a slight change in the girl’s +voice as she mentioned Gladwyne. She put out the +lamp but it was some time before she went to sleep. +She loved Millicent, and she believed there was trouble +awaiting her. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXVI_LISLE_TURNS_AUTOCRAT' id='XXVI_LISLE_TURNS_AUTOCRAT'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>LISLE TURNS AUTOCRAT</h3> +</div> + +<p>On the morning after his arrival, Lisle called +the company together and first of all addressed +Millicent. +</p> +<p>“It’s your wish that I should act as guide to this +expedition?” +</p> +<p>Millicent answered in the affirmative and he went on: +</p> +<p>“The guide must be commander-in-chief, with undisputed +authority. Before we start, I must ask if +any one objects to that?” +</p> +<p>They gave him full power, with acclamation, and +he nodded. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he continued, “I’d better explain that the +main difficulty attending any expedition into an almost +uninhabited region is to keep it supplied with food +and means of shelter; it’s a question of transport. +There are two ways of getting over the difficulty—by +reducing the weight, or by increasing the number +of packers; and the latter are useful only when each +man can transport more than will satisfy his personal +requirements. I think that’s clear?” +</p> +<p>They assented with some curiosity mixed with a +slight uneasiness. +</p> +<p>“Then,” he proceeded, “I’ll exercise my authority +by asking you to lay out in front of each tent everything +you have brought with you.” +</p> +<p>“Including our clothes?” Bella asked. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span></p> +<p>“Assuredly,” said Crestwick. “You can put them +in a heap; it’s the quantity and not the cut that +counts.” +</p> +<p>It was evident that the leader’s first instructions +were received with little favor. Millicent looked dubious +and Miss Hume alarmed; but the orders were +carried out, and Lisle accompanied by Crestwick made +a tour of inspection. Stopping in front of Bella’s +and Carew’s tent, he pointed to their rather imposing +pile of baggage. +</p> +<p>“Two-thirds of this will have to be left behind, +though we’ll try to pick it up again. You can make +your selection.” He went on to Millicent’s and Miss +Hume’s collection. “We can’t take more than half +of this,” he informed them. Then he addressed the +company in general. “The three ladies must occupy +Miss Gladwyne’s tent, and the men Carew’s; Nasmyth’s +must be abandoned. Each man’s outfit must be cut +down to one change of clothes and his blanket.” +</p> +<p>The announcement was received with open murmurs. +They had all been accustomed to every comfort with +which a high civilization could provide them; they had +already cut down their belongings to the lowest limit +at which, in their estimation, life could be made endurable; +and many of the articles they were told must +be left behind were costly and artistic. It was a +severe test of obedience and even Nasmyth, who knew +the wilderness, desiring to safeguard the women, was +not inclined to yield. Lisle had only Crestwick to support +him until Bella touched his arm. +</p> +<p>“Stand fast,” she urged, somewhat to his surprise. +“If you give way an inch now, you’ll be sorry.” +</p> +<p>Lisle smiled and then raised his voice. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span></p> +<p>“I’m afraid I must insist. Since you object, Carew, +are you willing to carry forty pounds upon your back +while you break a trail through thick timber, where we +find it needful to leave the water?” +</p> +<p>“Certainly not,” said Carew decidedly. +</p> +<p>“Then,” Lisle advised dryly, “you had better leave +as much as possible of the weight behind; there’s no +likelihood of our getting more packers. You have to +choose between a camp-chair or a suitcase, for example, +and your daily dinner.” +</p> +<p>For a moment or two they hesitated. Lisle had, +straining his new authority to the utmost, asked them +a very hard thing, for in their regard some degree of +luxury was less an accidental favor than a prescriptive +right. Then Bella took up a long garment and with a +little resolute gesture flung it from her. +</p> +<p>“That,” she laughed, “is the first sacrifice to the +stern guardians of the wilds. It ought to satisfy +them, considering who made it and what it cost.” +She seized a small valise and hurled it after the dress. +“There’s the next; I’m thankful my complexion will +stand the weather.” +</p> +<p>Millicent looked up at Lisle, indicating a small easel, +a bulky sketch-book, and a box of water-colors. +</p> +<p>“Are these to go?” she asked with indignant eyes. +</p> +<p>“No,” he answered gravely; “they’re the reason +for the whole expedition, and their transport is provided +for. But you’ll have to jettison something else.” +</p> +<p>The selections were made and Lisle summoned one of +the packers. +</p> +<p>“Roll these things up in Mr. Nasmyth’s tent, +Pete,” he bade him. “You’ll have to make a cache +of them.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p> +<p>“Like burying money, isn’t it?” remarked the man, +regarding the pile of sundries with a grin. “Guess +they won’t be worth much when they’re dug up again.” +</p> +<p>Half an hour later, three deeply-laden canoes left +the beach; and all day the party paddled up the gleaming +lake and crept with poles going up a slow, green +river. Sunset was near when they landed and ate +supper among a clump of cedars; and after the meal +most of them, cramped with the canoe journey, +climbed the steep hill-bench or strolled away along the +shingle. Lisle was lying, smoking, beside the fire when +Millicent sauntered toward him and sat down upon a +neighboring stone. +</p> +<p>“You were right, of course,” she apologized. “Am +I forgiven? It was only a momentary revolt.” +</p> +<p>He smiled, though his bronzed coloring deepened, +for there was an unusual gentleness in her voice. +</p> +<p>“It was very natural,” he replied. “I had expected +more determined opposition; but I didn’t go +farther than was necessary.” +</p> +<p>“No; I think the others realize that now.” +</p> +<p>“They’ll be more convinced of it later,” he responded +with a trace of grimness. +</p> +<p>“I don’t think they’ll give you any trouble; but +since you got rid of Nasmyth’s tent, where will you +and Crestwick sleep?” +</p> +<p>“Jim and I can make a shelter of some kind; we’re +used to the bush.” +</p> +<p>“What have you done to the lad?” Millicent asked. +“I can hardly realize the change in him; he’s a different +being.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve merely given him a chance he would hardly +have had in England. The country has done the rest. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span> +You can ask him how much advice or admonishment +he got.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” she explained, “I shouldn’t expect you to +give him advice; it’s cheap!” +</p> +<p>He made no reply, and her eyes rested with quiet +approval on his rather embarrassed face. She had no +doubt that close contact with this man had had more +to do with the change in Crestwick than the influence +of the country; and then she recollected that the lad’s +degeneration had been marked and rapid while he had +taken Clarence for a model. It was a troublesome +thought and she banished it with an effort. +</p> +<p>“You didn’t get here without difficulty; and our +journey will keep you away from your business for +some time,” she observed. +</p> +<p>“As to that, I’ve earned a little leisure; and I’ve +been looking forward to this trip ever since I left England. +Now it’s almost like being back there again, +only that in some ways it’s even better.” +</p> +<p>So far as their surroundings might explain his satisfaction, +Millicent could frankly agree with him. The +black spires of the cedars, towering far above them, cut +in rigid tracery against the splendors of the sunset +sky; one stretch of the river still shone with a saffron +light; the rest, which had grown dim, flowed through +deepening shadow. Filmy mist trails streaked the +rugged hills and the hoarse clamor of a rapid quivered +in the cool air. Behind it all, there was something that +set the lonely scene apart from any other that the girl +had looked upon—one could realize that this was as +yet an untamed and unsullied region. But her companion +was accustomed to the wilderness, so there must be, +she thought, another cause for his content. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span></p> +<p>“I am glad you do not grudge the time you may +have to spend with us,” she said. +</p> +<p>“Grudge it!” he exclaimed; and then, restraining +himself, he broke into a soft laugh. “You may accuse +me of that feeling when you hear me grumble.” +</p> +<p>The ring in his voice had its meaning and it left +her thoughtful. The revelation was not altogether +new; she had guessed his regard for her, but she imagined +that she could hold him at arm’s length if it +were necessary. It was with him as it was with +Nasmyth, and they were alike in their self-restraint. +Nasmyth had quietly accepted his dismissal when she +had shown him that it was irrevocable; and the Canadian +would not trouble her with futile complaints. +She wondered if out of three suitors she had not chosen +the least desirable in some respects; but this could +not be admitted and she resolutely thrust the idea +aside. +</p> +<p>“There’s a point I’d better mention,” Lisle resumed +in a matter-of-fact tone. “I’m not going to follow +the route of the first expedition from the beginning. +I’ve thought of a shorter and easier one; we’ll strike +the other by the big portage and then follow it down.” +</p> +<p>“Are you afraid of wearing out your untried followers?” +</p> +<p>“Well,” he admitted, “I’m taking no risks that can +be avoided this journey.” +</p> +<p>She smilingly commended his caution, though she +was conscious of a desire, which must be held in check, +to see what he would do if he could be shaken out of +his self-control. She approved of his restraint, because +only while it was exerted could she meet him +on friendly terms; but, as had happened on his last +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span> +afternoon in England, it piqued her. She wondered +how much it cost him. +</p> +<p>“After all,” she said with a forced laugh, “it’s +better to keep carefully clear of danger.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he agreed; “but there’s now and then a +temptation to face the hazard. One feels that it’s +worth while.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind that. I think I’d rather enjoy the +wildness of this scene than to philosophize. Tell me +about the bear and deer we are likely to come across.” +</p> +<p>He discoursed at length, and she sat listening while +the light faded and the cedars grew blacker. Then the +others approached and they went back to camp. +</p> +<p>“Breakfast will be at seven prompt,” he informed +them. “The packers will strike tents while you eat, +so have everything ready. There are two awkward +portages to be tackled to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>They started in a clammy mist which clung about +them until they reached the foot of the first wild rapid, +where the green and white flood came roaring over +ledges and between huge boulders, with wisps of spray +tossing over it. This was Millicent’s first sight of the +river in anger, and she watched, at first almost appalled +and then thrilled with strong excitement, when +Lisle and one packer took the leading canoe up the +lowest rush. They stood upright in the unloaded, +unstable craft, long pole in hand, guiding her with +what seemed wonderful skill across madly-whirling eddies +and through tumbling foam, while Nasmyth and +another man, floundering deep in water, assisted them +at intervals with the tracking-line. Once Nasmyth’s +companion lost his footing and disappeared, but he +rose and Millicent saw that instead of clinging to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span> +line for safety he loosed it, and swimming down a wild +white tumult, came dripping ashore. This, she +thought, was bracing work that made for more than +physical vigor; but she could not imagine Clarence +indulging in it. It was too elemental, too barbarous +for him. He was fond of exertion in the form of +sport, but he required somebody to saddle and lead out +his horse and to load his second gun. There was a +difference between him and those who delighted to +grapple at first hand with nature. +</p> +<p>She was astonished to see Crestwick get a heavy +flour bag upon his back and move away with it over +very rough stones, and she joined in Bella’s laugh +when Carew attempted to shoulder another and +dropped it. +</p> +<p>“It’s the first time he’s ever tried such a thing in +his life,” Bella remarked. “There’s nothing like personal +experience. You don’t realize that it isn’t easy +when you give a porter sixpence to lift your biggest +trunk at a station.” +</p> +<p>“The difference is that the porter’s used to it,” +Carew, who was red-faced and breathless, pointed out. +</p> +<p>“It looks as if that would apply to you before we’ve +finished,” Bella retorted. “If you can’t do anything +else, why don’t you help those men in the river?” +</p> +<p>Carew made a gesture of resignation and resolutely +plunged in. +</p> +<p>“That,” laughed Bella, to Millicent and Miss +Hume, “is excellent discipline; after a little of it, I +believe he’ll do me credit. I can think of a few overfed +men that I’d like to put through a drastic course +of it, only in their case I’d go in the canoe and take +my heaviest luggage with me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span></p> +<p>“It wouldn’t be wise,” asserted Millicent. “When +they reached broken water they’d probably let you +go.” +</p> +<p>She collected an armful of odds and ends and set +off up-stream over the portage. The men spent several +hours bringing the canoes and stores across, and +there followed some laborious poling before they +reached the second rapid, which was safely passed. +The party was quieter than usual after supper that +night. They had had their first glimpse of the strenuous +life of the wilderness and it had impressed them. +The effect passed off, however, as they pushed on day +after day without mishap. Millicent, in particular, +delighted in all she saw—the fresh green of the +birches among the somber cedars, the lonely heights +that ever surrounded them, the gleaming lakes, the +broad green flood that here and there filled the gorges +with its thunder. +</p> +<p>She suffered no discomfort she could not laugh at; +there was something that braced her in mind and body +in the mountain air; and Clarence no longer held a +leading place in her memory. She realized now that +the thought of him had hitherto occasioned her a vague +uneasiness. Indeed, she was almost glad that he was +far away; liberty was unexpectedly sweet, and though +she had a few misgivings, she meant to enjoy it while +it lasted. +</p> +<p>Then one afternoon when they were stopped by a +fall, she slipped away from the others with her sketch-book, +and wandering back through straggling bush, +climbed a rocky ridge. The ascent was steep, but by +clambering up a gully she reached the summit, and +after strolling along it she sat down to sketch the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span> +gorge below. The work absorbed her attention and +some time had passed when the lengthening shadows +warned her that she would better retrace her steps to +camp. +</p> +<p>It proved difficult. She could not find the gully +she had climbed up and the side of the ridge was almost +precipitous and was clothed with brushwood. +At last, however, she reached a spot from which it +seemed possible to make the descent; but after scrambling +and sliding for some distance she was suddenly +stopped by a sheer drop of several yards to a ledge. +Being agile, she might have reached the ledge by +lowering herself by her hands, but it was narrow and +slanted outwards, so that she feared to slip off in +alighting and fall over the crag below. She attempted +to climb back to the summit and found it impossible, +for the stones she seized were loose and came away +when she disturbed them. She could only stay where +she was and call for assistance, though the clamor of +the fall, ringing up the valley, almost drowned her +voice. +</p> +<p>By and by the sunlight faded off the rocks above, +the trees below grew shadowy, and Millicent began to +feel anxious and to envy the others who would, no +doubt, be sitting down to their evening meal. They +would miss her and set out in search; but they might +not reach her until it was dark, when it would be difficult +to extricate her, and she had no desire to spend +the night among the rocks. She made another determined +attempt to get up, but slid back, nearly +slipping over the edge, while her sketch-book went +clattering far below. Then she sat still, calling out +at intervals. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span></p> +<p>The light grew dimmer, white mists began to trail +about the heights above, and Millicent was getting +cold. She was also getting angry—it looked as if +the others were too busy eating or talking to care +what had become of her; some of them ought to have +come in search. She felt a grievance against Lisle in +particular. Why she should blame him more than +Nasmyth or Carew was not very clear, except that he +was more used to the country; but she felt that he +ought to have come to her rescue. Then, fearing +that she would have to spend the night on the hillside, +she carefully crept toward a small level space near a +jutting rock and sat down, shivering, while dusk slowly +crept across the bush. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXVII_AN_UNPLEASANT_SURPRISE' id='XXVII_AN_UNPLEASANT_SURPRISE'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE</h3> +</div> + +<p>Millicent had no intention of going to sleep +among the rocks, but after a while she grew +drowsy, and when at length she raised her head +with a start the moon hung over the hills across the +river, flooding the heights above her with a silvery +light. The trees below were sharper in form, but +everything was very still; only the thunder of the fall +seemed to have increased in depth of tone. Millicent +shivered from the cold as she sent a sharp cry ringing +across the woods. +</p> +<p>This time it was answered, and she recognized the +voice. Looking down, she could see Lisle’s black figure +moving cautiously along the ledge, for although +the lower rocks were wrapped in shadow it is never altogether +dark in the northern summer. Coming out +into the moonlight, he examined the slab of rock which +had arrested her descent, but when he spoke she was +not quite pleased with his very matter-of-fact tone. +It left something to be desired—she thought he +might have displayed more satisfaction at finding her +safe. +</p> +<p>“Is there anything you could catch hold of at the +top?” he asked. “If so, you’d better lower yourself +until I can reach you.” +</p> +<p>Anxious as she was to get down, Millicent hesitated; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span> +if she did as he suggested she would descend into his +arms. She was not unduly prudish, and indeed, after +being left alone in the impressive solitude of the wilds, +she would have been glad of the reassuring grasp of +a human being. But an obscure feeling, springing, +perhaps, from primitive instincts, made her shrink +from close contact with this particular man. +</p> +<p>“No,” she answered coldly; “the rock is loose. Besides, +the ledge is narrow, and if I came down heavily, +we might both fall over.” +</p> +<p>He again examined the slab, and then stood still, +considering. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he decided, “there’s a crack some way up +that should give me a hold, and a bit of a projection +you could rest a foot on yonder. Then if you gave +me one hand, I could lower you down.” +</p> +<p>He came up, thrusting his fingers into a fissure near +the summit and finding a tiny support for his toes. +Lowering herself cautiously, she clutched the hand he +extended. +</p> +<p>“Now,” he cautioned, “as gently as possible!” +</p> +<p>Loosing her hold above, she hung for a moment or +two, half afraid to let go his hand, while his arm and +body grew tense with the strain and she could hear his +labored breath. Summoning her courage she relaxed +her grasp. In another second she was safe upon the +ledge, and, scrambling down, he stood beside her with +a set, flushed face, the veins protruding on his forehead. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad that’s over; I was badly scared,” he acknowledged. +</p> +<p>She thrilled at the confession, though she thought +there had been no serious risk; his concern for her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span> +safety was strangely pleasant and the strenuous grasp +of his fingers had stirred her. +</p> +<p>“Oh,” she replied, “I believe I was quite safe after +you got hold of me.” +</p> +<p>He glanced at the steep face of broken rock that +ran down into the shadow. +</p> +<p>“If we’d gone over, we might not have brought up +for a while,” he said. “But what’s that resting on +yonder jutting stone?” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry it’s my sketch-book,” Millicent answered +unguardedly. “It’s nearly filled.” +</p> +<p>“Then wait here a little.” +</p> +<p>“You can’t get it!” Millicent cried sharply. +“You mustn’t try!” +</p> +<p>“It’s quite easy.” +</p> +<p>Millicent could not resist the temptation to make a +rather dangerous experiment. +</p> +<p>“And yet you were afraid a minute or two +ago!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he answered, looking at her steadily. “But +that was different.” +</p> +<p>She felt her heart-beats quicken and her face grow +hot, but she laid a restraining hand on his arm. +</p> +<p>“I won’t let you go.” +</p> +<p>“You must be reasonable,” he urged, moving a pace +away. “That book stands for a good deal of high-grade +work. If you lose it, you will have wasted all +the first part of your journey. Besides, I should feel +very mean if I left it lying there.” +</p> +<p>He lowered himself over the edge, and moving from +cranny to cranny and stone to stone, went cautiously +down, while she watched him with her hands closed +tight. What the actual peril was she could not estimate; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span> +but it looked appallingly dangerous, particularly +when in one place he had to descend from a +slightly overhanging stone. He reached the book, +however, and came up, and when at length he stood +beside her his expression was quite normal and he was +only a little breathless. Again she felt a disconcerting +thrill which was accompanied by a confused sense of +pride. What he had done was in her service, and this +time he had shown no sign of fear or strain. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” she said. “But I’m a little angry—you +shouldn’t have gone. I should never have forgiven +myself if you had got hurt.” +</p> +<p>There was light enough to show that the blood crept +into his face; but he turned and glanced at the descending +ledge. +</p> +<p>“You had better put your hand on my shoulder +where it’s steep,” he suggested. “Still, we’re not going +to have much trouble in getting down.” +</p> +<p>They had reached level ground before anything +more was said, and then she turned to him with a +smile. +</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you come before? You left me an +unpleasantly long while among the rocks.” +</p> +<p>“We didn’t miss you until supper,” he explained. +“Then I set off at once, but I didn’t know which way +to look and the bush was pretty thick.” Stopping in +the moonlight, he indicated his rent attire. “I think +this speaks for itself,” he added humorously. +“There’s one consolation—the things belong to +Carew.” +</p> +<p>Millicent was glad that he was not going to be +serious. +</p> +<p>“I remember that you didn’t bring much of an outfit,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span> +she replied. “I suppose you had one. What +became of it?” +</p> +<p>“I left it behind, in pieces, on the thorns and rocks +along a good many leagues of trail; but it wasn’t extensive—when +you travel in this country you have +often to choose between food and clothes. It was obviously +impossible to buy any more, but the day before +we reached camp I made Crestwick cut my hair. After +a look at myself in Nasmyth’s pocket-glass, I’m inclined +to think he was unwarrantably proud of his success.” +</p> +<p>After that they chatted lightly, until they walked +into the glow of the camp-fire, and while Bella and +Miss Hume plied Millicent with questions and congratulations, +Lisle took up Nasmyth’s repeating rifle +and fired it several times. +</p> +<p>“That will bring the boys in,” he explained. +“Now I’ll get Miss Gladwyne’s supper.” +</p> +<p>During the meal the others came back and when they +had all assembled, looking the worse for their scramble +through the bush, Crestwick, who had occasional lapses +from good behavior, addressed them collectively. +</p> +<p>“Wasn’t I right?” he asked. “I offered anybody +three to one that Lisle would be the first to find her.” +</p> +<p>“Then you ought to be ashamed of it, after the +expensive way in which your confidence in your opinions +has often been shown to be mistaken,” declared +Bella. “Besides, you promised me you wouldn’t +waste your money that way again!” +</p> +<p>“This time I was backing a moral certainty,” +Crestwick rejoined. “That isn’t gambling; if you’re +not convinced, you can ask the others on what grounds +they were so unwilling to take me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span></p> +<p>Receiving no encouragement, he addressed Millicent, +who was extremely vexed with him. +</p> +<p>“I suppose you know that you have given us all +a good deal of anxiety. You ought to feel contrite.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not sorry if I’ve given you a good deal of +trouble,” Millicent retorted. “You were a long time +in coming to my rescue.” +</p> +<p>“That,” he exclaimed, “is just the kind of thing +Bella used to delight in saying, though I’ll own that +she’s been much more civil lately. It’s possible that +Carew’s patience is not so long as mine.” +</p> +<p>“Aren’t you getting rather personal?” Carew +hinted. +</p> +<p>Crestwick subsided with an indulgent grimace, but +when they retired to their shelter Lisle turned upon +him. +</p> +<p>“It struck me that those jokes of yours were in +what you would call uncommonly bad form,” he said. +“It would be better if you didn’t make any more of +them.” +</p> +<p>“Bella doesn’t mind; she’s used to me,” Crestwick +grinned. +</p> +<p>“I wasn’t referring to Bella—she has somebody to +take care of her.” +</p> +<p>“And Miss Gladwyne hasn’t? Still, that’s her own +fault, isn’t it? In my opinion, she has only to say +the word.” He paused, seeing his companion’s face +in the moonlight, for its expression was not encouraging. +“Oh, well!” he added, “you needn’t lose your +temper. There are people who can never see when a +thing’s humorous; I’ll wind up.” +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile Millicent sat in the entrance of her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span> +tent, looking out between the dark trunks of the cedars +on the glittering river. It sluiced by, lapping noisily +upon the shingle, lined with streaks of froth, and the +roar of the neighboring fall filled the lonely gorge. +The wildness of her surroundings had its charm; +she had been happier among them than she had been +at any time during the last twelve months in England, +and now she was uneasily conscious of the reason. +Lisle’s constant watchfulness over her comfort, his +cheery conversation, even the sight of him when he +was too busy to talk, were strangely pleasant. She +realized why she had made him take the harder way +in helping her down from the rock and the knowledge +was disconcerting. She had been afraid to trust herself +to the clasp of his arms, but not because of any +want of confidence in him. +</p> +<p>Then she saw Carew kiss Bella among the cedars +before she left him to walk toward the tent, and the +sight stirred her blood. It was clear that she must be +on her guard; her guide must be kept firmly at a distance, +though this promised to be difficult. She was, +to all intents and purposes, pledged to Clarence; and +until Bella joined her she tried to fix her thoughts on +him, wondering where he was and what he was doing, +without being able to find much interest in the question. +</p> +<p>As it happened, Clarence was then sitting in a luxurious +parlor-car as a big west-bound train sped +through the forests of Ontario, but his face was +troubled and he felt ill at ease. A little more than +a fortnight earlier he had met Marple at a Swiss hotel, +and the man had informed him that Miss Gladwyne +and Miss Hume had sailed for Canada. Nasmyth, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span> +added, had gone by a previous steamer, to make arrangements +for some journey they wished to undertake. +This was the first intimation Clarence had +received. Millicent had written to him on the day before +she sailed, but the letter, following him to one +of the Italian valleys, had not yet reached him, and +he was filled with consternation. She had stolen away, +as if she did not wish to be burdened with his company; +she was going to visit the scene of her brother’s +death, no doubt under the guidance of Lisle, who had +strong suspicions concerning it. He might communicate +them to Millicent; perhaps he had done so already, +which would account for her silent departure. With +an effort Gladwyne roused himself to action. He made +up his mind to follow her and, if necessary, attempt +some defense. Perhaps, he thought, he could manage +to destroy any evidence of his treachery which the +Canadian had discovered. +</p> +<p>Still, he was tormented by doubts as he lounged in +the parlor-car, and, growing restless, he went out on +the rear platform and lighted a cigar. There was +faint moonlight, and dim trees fled past him; the rattle +of wheels and the rush of the cool wind was soothing. +He could not think while he stood holding on +by the brass rail to protect himself against the lurching, +and he found a relief in the roar as the great train +swept across a foaming river. They had been detained +at a junction during the afternoon, and the +engineer was evidently bent on making up the wasted +time. +</p> +<p>Presently the door of the next car opened, and +Gladwyne started violently as a dark figure came out +on to the platform. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span></p> +<p>“Batley!” he cried. “What in the name of wonder +has brought you here!” +</p> +<p>Batley moving forward into the moonlight, regarded +him with a mocking smile. +</p> +<p>“Nothing very remarkable; I’d several motives. +For one thing, I felt I’d like the trip—had a stroke +of luck not long ago which justified the expense. +British Columbia’s nowadays almost as accessible as +parts of Norway, where I’ve generally gone to, and I +understand it’s wilder.” +</p> +<p>“But how is it I haven’t seen you on the train?” +Gladwyne asked, in no way reassured by the man’s +careless explanation. +</p> +<p>“I only got on at the last junction.” Batley’s tone +was significant as he proceeded. “I was too late for +your Allan boat; when I inquired about you in London +I found that you had gone; but I caught the next +New York Cunarder and came on by Buffalo. I suppose +you stopped a day or two in Montreal, which explains +how I’ve overtaken you.” +</p> +<p>“We were held up by ice off Newfoundland.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” suggested Batley, “suppose we go into +the smoking end of the car. I dare say you’d like a +talk and it’s rather noisy here. Besides, the cinders +are a little too plentiful.” +</p> +<p>They went in and Batley, lounging in a seat, lighted +a cigar and waited with an amused expression for the +other to begin. Gladwyne was intensely uneasy. It +had been a vast relief to be free from his companion, +and the last thing he desired was that Batley, who was +a remarkably keen-witted man, should go over the track +of George’s expedition in company with Lisle. +</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “I’d be glad if you would tell me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span> +exactly why you followed me. The reason you gave +didn’t seem sufficient.” +</p> +<p>“Then my other object ought to be clear. You’re +carrying a good deal of my money; I felt it would be +wiser to keep an eye on you. As I said, I’d had a +stroke of luck that enabled me to get away.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose that means somebody has suffered!” +Gladwyne, in his bitterness, could not help the injudicious +sneer. +</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” returned Batley good-humoredly. “In +this case, I’d set a man on his feet—it’s now and +then as profitable as pulling one down, and my methods +aren’t always destructive. The fellow was straight +and I’m inclined to believe he was grateful. I don’t +think he could have found anybody else to back him, +but I’m not afraid of a risk.” He paused and smiled +at his companion. “Sometimes I make mistakes; I +did so with you.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne flushed, but Batley proceeded: +</p> +<p>“I may remind you that when I financed you I +was led to believe that you would succeed to a handsome +property; not one that was stripped of its working +capital. I’ll give you credit for misleading me +rather cleverly. All this is to the point, because it +explains my watchful attitude. You’re the kind of +man I prefer to keep in sight.” +</p> +<p>Disgust, humiliation and anger possessed Gladwyne, +but he knew that he was in his companion’s hands, +and he did not think that Batley had stated all of his +reasons yet. It was possible that he expected to discover +something in British Columbia that would +strengthen his hold on his victim. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he replied with an attempt at calmness, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span> +“we needn’t quarrel, since it looks as if we’d have to +put up with each other for some time. Have you +finished what you have to say?” +</p> +<p>“Not quite. There’s one question yet. When do +you expect to marry Miss Gladwyne?” +</p> +<p>“What is that to you?” Clarence broke out. +</p> +<p>“Just this—I’m anxious to form some idea as to +when I’m likely to get my money back. Since Miss +Crestwick dropped you, there’s only Miss Gladwyne +available, so far as I know, and you have got to +marry money and do so pretty soon. I’m willing to +do anything that may help on the match.” +</p> +<p>Gladwyne’s face burned, he looked savage, but +Batley continued to watch him with an ironical smile. +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to drive you too hard, but I’m only +stating an obvious fact,” he concluded. “Now I’ll +leave you to think it over while I interview the porter +of the sleeping-car.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXVIII_CLARENCE_REACHES_CAMP' id='XXVIII_CLARENCE_REACHES_CAMP'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3>CLARENCE REACHES CAMP</h3> +</div> + +<p>The evening was dull and gloomy, a gray sky +hung over the desolate hills, and Millicent, sitting +alone on a rocky slope, felt troubled and +depressed. Beneath her, the long hollow that crossed +the big divide stretched back, colored in cheerless +neutral tints, into drifting mist. It was sprinkled +with little ponds, and banded here and there with belts +of stunted trees, small birches and willows, and ragged +cedars that hid the oozy muskegs under them. +</p> +<p>The girl was worn with travel, for Lisle had +abandoned the canoes some time ago, and the party +had followed, by what he called easy stages, the trail +he and the packers had broken, though the women +had found the way hard enough. This, he had informed +them, would shorten the journey a good deal, +and he expected to fall in with some Indians, from +whom canoes could be obtained, once they had crossed +the divide; failing this, they might be compelled to +retrace their steps. +</p> +<p>It was up the forbidding hollow they had lately +reached that George Gladwyne had doggedly plodded, +faint with hunger, on his last journey. Millicent had +followed his trail for the past two days and she had +found them filled with painful memories. All that +Lisle had shown her had brought back her brother and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span> +once more she mourned for him. But that was an old +wound that had partly healed and she could face the +sorrowful story of George’s last struggles with a certain +pride; he had endured with unwavering courage, +and the manner of his death became him. The girl +had other troubles which clouded the present and filled +her with misgivings for the future. +</p> +<p>During her first few weeks in the wilderness, lying +all day under clear sunshine and cloudless skies, it +had seemed to her an enchanted land. Snow-peaks, +and crystal lakes that mirrored ranks of climbing firs, +struck her as endowed with an almost unearthly +beauty and as wonderful a tranquillity; and when she +pushed on through the savage portals of the mountains +there was something that stirred her nature in +the sight of the foaming rivers and the roar of the +spray-veiled falls. Now, however, the glamour had +gone, it had been rudely banished on the night when +Lisle had helped her down the rocks. She, who had +allowed Clarence to believe that she would marry him, +had found a strange delight in the company of another +man; one whom she might have loved had she +been free, she tried to convince herself, in a determined +attempt to hide the fact that her heart cried out for +him. +</p> +<p>Lisle had pushed on with a single companion on the +previous night to see if he could obtain canoes; the +packers were breaking a trail, and the others were +resting in camp. Millicent was glad of this, for she +wanted to be alone. Suddenly, as she looked down the +hollow, two indistinct figures appeared out of the mist. +The packers had gone up the valley, but there was +no doubt that it was two men she saw, and they were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span> +apparently making for the camp. As the party had +met nobody since entering the wilderness, she felt curious +about the strangers. There was something in the +carriage of one of them that seemed familiar; and +then the uneasiness of which she had already been +conscious became intensified as she recognized that he +walked like Clarence. +</p> +<p>A few minutes later the men were hidden by a +growth of willows and she sped back to camp, scrambling +among the rocks with a haste that was born of +nervous tension. She did not see the men again—it +was needful to pick a path down the steep descent +very carefully—and when she came, breathless, upon +the clump of birches among which the tents were pitched +it was evident from the hum of voices that the +strangers had already arrived. Pushing in among the +trees, she stopped, with her heart beating unpleasantly +fast, face to face with Clarence. +</p> +<p>“Ah!” he exclaimed, moving forward to meet her; +“now I’m rewarded for my journey. How fit and +brown you look, Millicent!” +</p> +<p>She stood still a moment, with an expressionless +face, finding no words to say; then with an effort +she roused herself and shook hands with him. +</p> +<p>“You must have had a trying march if you followed +our trail,” she said. “But how did you get +here—I mean why did you leave Switzerland?” +</p> +<p>Crestwick chuckled. +</p> +<p>“That’s very much what we all asked him,” he +broke in. “In one way, it’s hardly civil; if we’d +known he was coming, we’d have been better prepared +to express our delight.” +</p> +<p>The lad was not, as a rule, considerate and he suffered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span> +from want of tact, but there was truth behind +what he said. It is given to only a few to be sure +of a warm and sincere welcome when they take their +friends by surprise. Nasmyth frowned at Crestwick, +who had rashly hinted at the feeling of constraint that +had seized upon the party. Millicent, however, was +looking at Gladwyne and her heart grew softer as she +noticed his weariness and his strained expression. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she said when he had answered her, “you +must sit down and rest. Nasmyth and Crestwick will +get you something to eat as soon as possible.” +</p> +<p>It was not what she would have wished to say—it +sounded dreadfully commonplace—but Batley came +forward with an easy laugh. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid our young friend”—he indicated +Crestwick—“is not a diplomatist, but on the whole +his fault’s a good one; he’s more or less honest. You’ll +forgive us for surprising you; it was quite impossible +to send you a warning.” +</p> +<p>Millicent smiled, the tension suddenly slackened, and +as the packer who cooked was away with his comrade, +they all set about preparing a meal which, thanks to +Batley, was eaten amid a flow of lively conversation. +The man was weary, but he could rise to an occasion +and summon to his aid a genial wit. Clarence was glad +of this; fatigue had reacted on him, increasing his +anxiety, and he had been chilled by the coldness of his +reception. Even the cordiality his companions now +displayed was suspicious, because it suggested that +they wished to atone for something that had previously +been lacking. He ate, however, and talked when he +found an opportunity, and afterward acquiesced when +Millicent declined to be drawn away from the others. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span></p> +<p>When the meal was finished, they sat close together +about the fire, for coldness came with the dusk, but by +degrees the conversation languished. The increasing +chill, the gloom and the desolation of their surroundings +affected them all; and nobody had been quite at +ease since Gladwyne’s arrival. He was too tired to +make more than spasmodic attempts to talk, and +though Millicent was sorry for him she could not help +contrasting him with Lisle. She had seen the latter +almost worn out with severe labor, but even then he +had been cheerful, ready to encourage his companions +with lively badinage. He seemed to take pleasure in +forcing his body to the utmost strain it could bear. +</p> +<p>The light had died away into the partial obscurity +which would last until sunrise when Lisle walked into +camp. The fire had burned up, and Millicent saw his +start and his face set hard at the sight of Gladwyne. +</p> +<p>“This is a surprise,” he said. “When did you get +here?” +</p> +<p>“About two hours ago. We found where you left +the water and followed up your trail,” Gladwyne answered. +</p> +<p>“How many packers and what stores did you +bring?” +</p> +<p>“Two packers,” replied Gladwyne. “There were +no more available at the last settlement. Batley has a +list of the provisions—we cut them down as much as +possible. As we were anxious to overtake you, we +traveled light.” +</p> +<p>Lisle took the list Batley gave him and examined it +by the glow of the fire. +</p> +<p>“It looks as if you didn’t mind endangering the +safety of the whole party,” he broke out. “This +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span> +expedition is already quite large enough, and you add +four people to it with less than half the necessary +stores, so that you could save yourself a little trouble +on the journey! What’s more important, we can’t +make up for the shortage by better speed. Only two +of you can pack an average load, though all four must +be fed.” +</p> +<p>Millicent had listened, hot with anger and a little +surprised. Lisle had his faults, including a shortness +of temper, but he was now showing a strain of +what she considered primitive barbarism which he had +hitherto concealed. A cultured Englishman would +have led Clarence aside or waited for an opportunity +before remonstrating with him; and then her face +burned as she wondered whether Lisle had been actuated +by savage jealousy. It was, however, insufferable +that he should display it in this fashion. +</p> +<p>“I must point out that I organized the expedition,” +she said. “Everybody here is my guest.” +</p> +<p>“Did you invite Gladwyne and Batley?” +</p> +<p>“I did not,” Millicent was compelled to own. “For +all that, they are now in the same position as the rest. +I must ask you to remember it.” +</p> +<p>Lisle had some trouble in controlling himself, but he +nodded. “Well,” he responded, “I’ll have to alter +several of our arrangements and I’ll go along and talk +it over with the packers. I’ve got the canoes required, +and we’ll take the trail at seven to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>He strode away toward the packers’ fire, quite aware +that he had not behaved in a very seemly way, but +still consumed with indignation against Gladwyne. +When he had disappeared, Clarence looked up. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry if we have given you unnecessary trouble; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span> +but does your guide often adopt that rather +hectoring tone?” +</p> +<p>His languid contempt roused Crestwick. +</p> +<p>“Lisle’s responsible for the safety of all of us,” +the lad broke out, “and you haven’t shown much regard +for it in making your loads as light as you +could!” +</p> +<p>Millicent raised her hand. +</p> +<p>“We’ll talk about something else for a few minutes +and then break up. It’s an early start to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>They dispersed shortly afterward, but Batley sought +Lisle before retiring to rest. +</p> +<p>“I regret that we have added to your anxiety,” he +began. “Of course, transport is a serious difficulty—I’ve +had some little experience of this kind of +thing.” +</p> +<p>“In the field?” Lisle asked bluntly. “I’ve had a +suspicion of it. Then why didn’t you remember?” +He saw Batley’s smile, for they were standing by the +packers’ fire. “Oh,” he added, “you needn’t trouble +to shield Gladwyne. I formed my opinion of him +some time ago—he’s a mighty poor specimen.” +</p> +<p>“I’m inclined to agree with you,” replied Batley +dryly. +</p> +<p>They set off early the next morning, and after his +forced march, Gladwyne found the load given him +sufficiently heavy. He was badly jaded, aching all +over, and disturbed in mind, when they camped near +the summit of the divide late in the afternoon without +his having been able to secure a word with Millicent +alone. He felt that he must gain her consent to a +formal engagement before Lisle let fall any hint of +his suspicions, which he did not believe had been done +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span> +so far. Afterward, knowing Millicent, he thought +she would staunchly refuse to listen to anything to +his discredit, and he could, if it were needful, ascribe +Lisle’s attack to jealousy. He must, however, also +contrive to push on ahead of the party, on some +excuse, and obliterate any remaining trace of the +former expedition’s provision caches; then he would +be safe. +</p> +<p>Millicent had strolled away from the others and was +standing among the rocks when he overtook her. The +signs of fatigue and tension in his face softened her +toward him. Still, it was only compassion; she felt +no thrill, but rather an involuntary shrinking and a +sense of alarm. She was to be called upon to fulfil a +duty to which she had somehow pledged herself. +</p> +<p>“Millicent,” he began, “things can’t go on as they +have been doing—pleasant as it was. I have waited +patiently, but you can’t expect too much. Now I +have come a long way to claim my reward. I want +the right to look after you, and to tell the others so.” +</p> +<p>His abruptness and hoarseness were expressive, but +she felt that there was something lacking and she answered +with a flippancy she seldom indulged in. +</p> +<p>“You thought it needful to bring your privy +counselor with you?” +</p> +<p>“No; he came without even asking my permission.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, sitting down with forced calmness, +“it doesn’t matter; but are you quite sure now that +you really want me?” +</p> +<p>There was no doubt that he was desperately anxious +for her formal word; there was a feverish eagerness +in his eyes. It puzzled her, but it left her unmoved +and cold. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_317' name='page_317'></a>317</span></p> +<p>“Want you!” he cried. “Can you ask? Haven’t +I constantly shown my devotion?” +</p> +<p>“For the last few months—I mean after Lisle +went back to Canada,” she replied with gathering +color. “Before then, for a time, I think one could +reasonably have doubted it.” +</p> +<p>He looked confused; that Bella had attracted him +had been obvious, and there was no way of getting +over the fact gracefully. +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I have my weaknesses—want of balance, +impulsiveness, and a capacity for being easily +piqued,” he confessed. “Well, though perhaps I deserved +it, you were cold and aloof enough to madden a +more patient man, and I suppose I slackly yielded to +wounded vanity. All the time, you were the one I +had chosen, the only woman who had ever really +stirred or could influence me. Nearly as long as I +can remember I have loved and respected you. Occasionally +you unbent enough to show me that you +recognized it.” +</p> +<p>There was some truth in this, and seeing the change +in her expression, he went on: +</p> +<p>“You can’t cast me off and fling me back upon +myself—I couldn’t face that. During those last few +months in England, you helped me forward far more +than you suspected—showed me my duties, enabled +me to carry them out. I can’t go on alone; I’m your +responsibility; having taken it up, you can’t deny it +now.” +</p> +<p>Millicent smiled faintly. +</p> +<p>“No,” she admitted; “I suppose that would be +hardly fair.” +</p> +<p>He would have thrown his arm about her, but she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span> +laid a hand on his shoulder and with gentle firmness +held him back. +</p> +<p>“No,” she said, with a deep color in her face; “not +yet. We have been associated as cousins; I must get +used to the new position.” +</p> +<p>He had wit enough to yield, but he kissed her hands +exultantly. +</p> +<p>“It’s a pledge! I may tell the others?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she consented quietly, “I think you may.” +</p> +<p>For a while he sat at her feet, with her hand on +his shoulder, talking about the future, and she was +sensible of a certain calm satisfaction which had in it +more than a trace of resignation. She had not shirked +her duty, she was safe from temptation, and she had +after all a sincere, half-pitying tenderness for the +man. Her liking for him would, she thought, grow +stronger, and the passion which Lisle had once or twice +half awakened in her was a thing to be subdued and +dreaded. Though Gladwyne saw that she was but +lightly moved, he was content, and some time had +passed when they went slowly back together to the +camp. +</p> +<p>Miss Hume was the first to notice them and when +Millicent smiled she went hastily forward and kissed +her. Then Bella joined them and Batley offered his +good wishes in fitting terms. When Lisle and Nasmyth +came up, a word from Bella was sufficient +for them. For a moment the girl was startled by +what she read in the Canadian’s face. It was, however, +invisible to Millicent. Turning suddenly round without +speaking he strode away, followed by Nasmyth. +Stopping when he was hidden from the camp among +the rocks Lisle turned savagely to his companion. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_319' name='page_319'></a>319</span></p> +<p>“You heard what Bella said!” +</p> +<p>“I did!” replied Nasmyth. “The hound! It +must be stopped!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” asserted Lisle, more coolly, “that’s a sure +thing. Still, there are difficulties—she may not believe +my story now. I almost think I’ll wait until we +reach the two caches; then with something to back my +statements, I might force the truth from him.” +</p> +<p>“In that case, you had better watch him,” warned +Nasmyth, looking deeply disturbed. “He may try +to reach them first.” +</p> +<p>The next moment Crestwick joined them. +</p> +<p>“What’s to be done, Vernon?” he exclaimed. +“Miss Gladwyne’s engagement’s formally announced—it +can’t go on!” +</p> +<p>“Why?” Lisle’s voice was stern. “What has it to +do with you?” +</p> +<p>“Well,” explained Crestwick, hesitating, “the man’s +not to be trusted, he’s dangerous. He simply can’t +be allowed to make this match!” He paused and +spread out his hands. “I’m horribly troubled about +it—I’d better tell you that I know—” +</p> +<p>“You know nothing that need be mentioned,” Lisle +interrupted him. “That’s positive; you have to remember +it. As to the rest, you’ll leave the matter +entirely in my hands.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, well,” agreed Crestwick, “if you order it. +That relieves me of my responsibility. I’m uncommonly +glad to get rid of it.” +</p> +<p>Lisle abruptly strode away, and Crestwick saw that +Nasmyth was regarding him curiously. +</p> +<p>“Lisle was quite right,” Nasmyth said. “He only +forestalled me in instructions I meant to give you.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span></p> +<p>“Then you understand what I was referring to?” +exclaimed Crestwick. +</p> +<p>“I’ve a good idea,” Nasmyth answered dryly. “In +my opinion, so has Lisle.” +</p> +<p>“But you were on the far side of the hedge on the +morning we tried the horse, and Lisle was down. He +wasn’t conscious when I broke through the thorns.” +</p> +<p>“Quite correct; but it’s most unlikely he lost consciousness +from the fall, and he was lying with his +face turned toward the jump—it wasn’t until the +chestnut came down on his shoulder that he was badly +hurt. The doctor agreed with me on that point.” +</p> +<p>“That might have struck me,” Crestwick rejoined. +“But you owned that you had an idea of what happened +at the jump. How did you get it? Did Lisle +tell you?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled grimly. +</p> +<p>“I’m firmly convinced that he’ll never mention what +he saw or suspects to anybody, unless it’s to Gladwyne. +As to the rest, the hedge wasn’t thick enough +to prevent my seeing through it.” +</p> +<p>“He’s an unusual man,” declared Crestwick in an +admiring tone. “I haven’t met his equal. But I’ll +keep my eye on Gladwyne—there’s risk enough at +some of the rapids—the hound shan’t have another +chance if I can help it.” +</p> +<p>They turned and went back to camp, but on reaching +it they sat down among the packers, avoiding +Gladwyne and Millicent. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXIX_A_BOLD_SCHEME' id='XXIX_A_BOLD_SCHEME'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_321' name='page_321'></a>321</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>A BOLD SCHEME</h3> +</div> + +<p>The sense of security which Millicent experienced +on announcing her engagement was not permanent +and in a few days the doubts that had +troubled her crept back into her mind. She had never +entertained any marked illusions about Clarence and +although, now that she was irrevocably pledged to +him, she endeavored to fix her thoughts on his most +likable qualities, even these appeared in a less favorable +light than they had formerly done. The growth +of the warmer attachment she had expected to feel +was strangely slow, and though it was early to indulge +in regrets her heart sometimes grew heavy as +she looked forward to the future. Clarence was considerate, +attentive and deferential in a polished way, +but he lacked something one looked for in a lover. +Besides, she was anxious about him; he looked worn, +his manner suggested that he was bearing a strain, +but this was in his favor, for it roused her compassion. +She fancied that the cause of it was financial, +and this in a sense was encouraging, because this was +a trouble from which she could purchase him immunity. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile she was stirred by mournful +memories as she followed the last stages of her +brother’s journey and visited the lonely spot where +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_322' name='page_322'></a>322</span> +he had met his end. Somehow the thought of him +encouraged her—George had quietly done his duty, +regardless of the cost, and even if her burden proved +heavy, which it was premature to admit, she must bear +it cheerfully. +</p> +<p>At length they stopped one evening at a portage, +and Lisle examined the stores. +</p> +<p>“The food’s getting short,” he announced. “One +or two of you had better take out your rifles the first +thing to-morrow, while the rest go fishing. I’ll tackle +the portage with two packers.” +</p> +<p>He began his work at sunrise the next morning and +it was toward evening when Crestwick came back exultant +with a blacktail buck. Nasmyth was fishing +near the camp and Lisle was busy with a canoe near by. +</p> +<p>“Where are the rest? How have they got on?” +Lisle asked. +</p> +<p>“I think Batley went back to the last reach with +Carew’s rod,” Crestwick answered. “I met Gladwyne +and one of the packers on the low range back yonder; +they’d only got a blue grouse.” +</p> +<p>“I could have done with the man here,” said Lisle. +“Which way were they heading?” +</p> +<p>“Back up-river, the way we came.” +</p> +<p>Lisle made no comment, but Crestwick thought he +found the information reassuring, and thrusting out +the canoe he was swept away down the easiest part +of the rapid, while Crestwick assisted Nasmyth to +land a trout. Lisle had returned to the camp when +the packer who had accompanied Clarence came in +alone, bringing a couple of grouse. +</p> +<p>“What’s become of Mr. Gladwyne?” Lisle asked +him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_323' name='page_323'></a>323</span></p> +<p>“Hasn’t he got back?” replied the other, glancing +about. “I lost him on the far slope of the bluff +about noon, but as he could see the river most anywhere +from the top I went right on. There was a +deer trail I was trying to follow.” +</p> +<p>Lisle said nothing more to the packer but walked +rapidly toward where the cook was getting supper +ready. Nasmyth followed him. +</p> +<p>“Did you give Mr. Gladwyne any lunch to carry +with him when he left camp?” Lisle asked the man. +</p> +<p>“I was busy when he came along and I told him to +look around for himself. I think he took some canned +stuff and there was quite a big loaf missing.” +</p> +<p>“Bring the box you keep the canned goods in!” +</p> +<p>The cook produced it. +</p> +<p>“There’s two meat cans gone, anyway,” he remarked. +“Looks as if Mr. Gladwyne figured on getting +mighty hungry.” +</p> +<p>Lisle nodded. +</p> +<p>“Put me up enough bread and fish for two of us +for two days.” +</p> +<p>He moved away with Nasmyth, and they had left the +fire behind when he spoke, his voice hoarse with anger. +</p> +<p>“Gladwyne’s gone to the cache! He’s got half a +day’s clear start of us and he knows the country. +It’s pretty open and he’ll make quite a good pace +on a straight trail, while the river bends. Get the +stuff I asked for while I give the others a few instructions.” +</p> +<p>“You mean to start after him at once?” +</p> +<p>“As soon as you’re ready,” Lisle said shortly. +</p> +<p>He turned back toward where the others were sitting +waiting for supper. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_324' name='page_324'></a>324</span></p> +<p>“As Gladwyne hasn’t turned up, Nasmyth and I +are going to look for him,” he announced. “There’s +nothing to be alarmed about, but it’s quite likely we +may not be back in the morning. If we don’t turn +up by noon, you had better start down-river and we’ll +pick you up farther on. I don’t want to waste another +day.” +</p> +<p>“Do you think he has got lost altogether?” Millicent +asked anxiously. +</p> +<p>“No,” answered Lisle, in a reassuring manner. +“Still, some of these ridges are bad to climb and quite +a lot of things may happen to delay him.” +</p> +<p>He called to a packer and gave him definite orders to +take the party down-river and wait at a spot agreed +upon; and a few minutes later he and Nasmyth left +the camp. +</p> +<p>Shortly afterward Batley came in. +</p> +<p>“Where are the others?” he asked. +</p> +<p>They told him and he looked thoughtful. +</p> +<p>“So Lisle started at once! Which way did he and +Nasmyth go?” +</p> +<p>“Up the ridge behind us, but they turned down-stream +when they reached the top,” Carew replied. +</p> +<p>Batley scented a mystery. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I think I’ll go after them; I +might be useful. Of course, you’ll start to-morrow +as Lisle told you, and if I’m not back by then, I’ll +follow the river to the rendezvous he mentioned.” +</p> +<p>He disappeared, as did Crestwick, who came in for +supper later on, and as the packers had pitched their +tent lower down, there was now only Carew left with +the women in camp. They were all a little uneasy as +dusk grew near; the haste with which the men had set +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_325' name='page_325'></a>325</span> +out one after another struck them as ominous. Bella’s +mind was unusually active, for she had promptly decided +that there was something behind all this, and +when at last Millicent strolled away from the others +she followed her to the edge of the water. A ridge +of rock cut them off from view of the camp and +though she fancied that Millicent was not pleased to +see her, Bella sat down upon a stone. +</p> +<p>“In a way, the anxiety that Lisle and the rest have +shown to find Clarence is flattering,” she began, expressing +part of her thoughts. “I wonder if they’d +all have gone off in such a hurry if Jim had got lost.” +</p> +<p>“Your brother knows the bush,” returned Millicent, +hiding her fears. +</p> +<p>Bella did not respond to this. She had decided that +Millicent must not be allowed to marry Gladwyne, but +she could not bring herself to denounce the man. If +that must be done, somebody else would have to undertake +the task. At the same time, she felt it incumbent +on her to give the girl some warning, or at least to find +out how far her confidence in her lover went, in order +to determine how advice could best be offered. +</p> +<p>“I wonder if you feel quite sure you will be happy +with Clarence?” she ventured. +</p> +<p>“You have provoked the retort—were you convinced +that you would be happy with Arthur Carew, +when you made up your mind to marry him so suddenly?” +</p> +<p>Bella’s smile expressed forbearance. It was getting +dark, but she could see the hot flush in her companion’s +cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes. Neither +was encouraging, but Bella was not easily, daunted, +and she felt that her persistence was really meritorious, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_326' name='page_326'></a>326</span> +considering that until lately Millicent had never been +cordial to her. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps I’d better answer,” she said sweetly. “I +was sure of Arthur, and that means a good deal more +than that I knew he was in love with me—I don’t +suppose you heard that he’d proposed to me once +before?” +</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you take him then?” Millicent asked +coldly. “Remember you have justified my being +personal.” +</p> +<p>Bella grew rather hot—when Carew had made his +first offer she had been in eager pursuit of Gladwyne—but +she sternly suppressed a desire to retaliate. +</p> +<p>“I don’t think we need go into that,” she replied. +“As I said, I was sure of Arthur—I knew his character, +knew he was better than I am, that he could be +depended on. He’s the kind of man one is safe with; +I felt that the more I saw of him, the more I could +trust him. Perhaps the feeling’s a safer guide than +passion—it stands longer wear—and now I’m getting +to like him better every day.” +</p> +<p>Her voice dropped to a tender note and Millicent +felt a little astonished, and ashamed of her harshness. +This was a new Bella, one in whose existence she could +hardly have believed. +</p> +<p>“I haven’t quite finished, though I don’t often talk +like this,” Bella went on. “I feel that without the +confidence I’ve tried to describe marriage must be a +terrible risk—one might find such ugly qualities in +the man; even defects you could forgive beforehand +would become so much worse when you had to suffer +because of them. Of course, one can’t expect perfection, +but there ought to be something—honor, a good +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_327' name='page_327'></a>327</span> +heart, a generous mind—that one can rely on as a +sure foundation. When you have that, you can build, +and even then the building may be difficult.” She +paused before she concluded: “My dear, I’m happier +than I deserve to be; I have chosen wisely.” +</p> +<p>Nothing more was said for a few minutes, but Bella, +studying her companion’s face, was more or less content. +Millicent’s faith in Clarence was weak, she was +forcing herself to believe in him; it might be possible +to make her see her lover in his true character, though +Bella had not yet determined on the exact course she +would adopt. Then Carew called from the camp and +she went back, while Millicent sat still with grave +doubts in her heart. Bella’s faith in her husband was +warranted, and Millicent was enough of an optimist +to believe that such men were not uncommon—there +was Lisle, for example, and Nasmyth. With them one +would undoubtedly have something to build a happy +and profitable life upon—but what could be done +with one in whom there was no foundation, only the +shifting sands of impulses, or, perhaps, unsounded +depths of weakness into which the painfully-raised +edifice might crumble? She stove to convince herself +that she was becoming wickedly hypercritical, thinking +treasonably of her lover, particularly in contrasting +him with her guide. There must be no more of that, +and she rose and walked back to her tent with a resolution +that cost her an effort. +</p> +<p>In the meanwhile Lisle and Nasmyth were pushing +on as fast as possible along the stony summit of the +ridge. There was moonlight, which made it a little +easier, but they stumbled every now and then. Here +and there they were forced to scramble down the sides +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_328' name='page_328'></a>328</span> +of a gully and on reaching the bottom to plunge into +water, and once they had to scramble some distance +shut in by the rocks before they could find a means of +ascending. Still, they were hard and inured to fatigue, +and they never slackened the pace. When +striding along a stretch of smoother ground Nasmyth +gathered breath to speak. +</p> +<p>“We were easily taken in,” he declared; “though +the thing was cunningly planned. Gladwyne took the +packer with him and headed back at first, to divert +suspicion. It would be easy enough to lose the man +and turn down-stream again; and that he intended +something of the kind is proved by his taking so +much food with him. No doubt, he’d rather have +avoided that, in case it looked suspicious, but he’s had +one hungry march over the same ground, and I dare +say it was quite enough. Besides, he could defy us +once he’d emptied and obliterated the caches.” +</p> +<p>“You understand the way your people’s minds work +better than I do,” Lisle returned dryly. +</p> +<p>“That’s natural, isn’t it? The idea that I’m most +impressed with just now is that Millicent might believe +it her duty to stick to Clarence more closely because +of a tale that was merely damaging. She would +never allow herself or anybody else to credit it, unless +she had absolutely convincing proof.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Lisle; “I guess you’re right. That’s +precisely why we have got to get there first.” +</p> +<p>A thicket of thorny vines and canes barred his way, +but he went straight at the midst of it and struggled +through, savagely smashing and rending down the +brush. The clothes he had borrowed from Carew +looked considerably the worse for wear when he came +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_329' name='page_329'></a>329</span> +out; and then he recklessly leaped across a dark cleft +the bottom of which he could not see. Presently they +left the ridge and headed away from the river, which +flowed round a wide curve, and toward dawn they were +brought up by a ravine. The roar of water rose +hoarsely from its depths. The moon was getting low +and the silvery light did not reach far down the opposite +side, but they could see a sheer, smooth wall of +rock, and the width of the chasm rendered any attempt +to jump it out of the question. +</p> +<p>“No way of getting across here,” decided Lisle. +“At the same time, it looks as if Gladwyne must be +held up on the same side that we are. We’ll follow +the cañon; down-stream, I think.” +</p> +<p>The moonlight was getting dimmer, but, at some +risk of falling into the rift, they pushed on along +the brink, looking down as they went. They could +see no means of descending, but at length, when rocks +and trees were getting blacker and a little more distinct +in the chilly dawn, they made out a fallen trunk +with broken white branches lying upon a tall mass +of rock below. +</p> +<p>“I’ve an idea that the top of that tree reached +across to this side when it first came down,” Lisle +said. “Have you got a match?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth had brought a few carefully-treasured +wax matches with him, and he lighted one. It was +very still, except for the roar of the hidden torrent, +and the pale flame burned steadily in the motionless +cold air. It showed a couple of hollows, where something +had rested, close to the edge of the rift, and +one or two fresh scratches on a strip of rock. Lisle +stooped down beside them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_330' name='page_330'></a>330</span></p> +<p>“Hold the thing lower!” he exclaimed sharply. +“It’s as I suspected—this is where Gladwyne got +across; though he has better nerves than I thought +he had. The broken end of a branch or two rested +right here, and he was smart enough to heave the butt +off the other bank, after he’d crawled over. Looks to +me as if it had broken off yonder stump. Guess +there’ll be light enough to look for a way across in +half an hour.” +</p> +<p>Sitting down he filled his pipe, and shortly afterward +he raised one hand as if listening. For a while, +Nasmyth could hear nothing except the roar of water; +there was not a sound that he could catch in the thin +straggling bush behind them where few trails of mist +were stretched athwart the trees. Then he started as +a faint crackling and snapping began in the distance. +</p> +<p>“Can it be a bear?” he asked. +</p> +<p>“No; it’s a man!” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth was somewhat astonished. They had not +seen a human being except those of their party for +a long while, and it seemed strange that they should +come across one now in the early dawn in those remote +wilds. +</p> +<p>“He’s wearing boots,” he said diffidently, as the +crackling drew nearer. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” Lisle responded; “he’s making a good deal +more noise than a bushman would.” +</p> +<p>The sound steadily approached them. Nasmyth +found something mysterious and rather eerie in it, and +he was on the whole relieved when a dark figure materialized +among the trees near by. He could barely see +it, but Lisle called out sharply: +</p> +<p>“What has brought you on our trail, Batley?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_331' name='page_331'></a>331</span></p> +<p>The man came toward them with a breathless laugh +and sat down. +</p> +<p>“It isn’t your trail but Gladwyne’s I’m interested +in, and I can’t say that I’ve succeeded in following +that. I merely pushed on, until I struck this cañon +and as I couldn’t get across, I followed it up.” +</p> +<p>“You’re not easily scared,” Lisle commented. +“You might have got lost. Guess you had some +motive that made you take the risk.” +</p> +<p>“I felt pretty safe. You see, I knew I could strike +the river, if necessary. At the same time you were +right about the motive—in fact, there’s no use in +trying to hide it. I may as well confess that I’d +sooner keep Gladwyne in sight.” +</p> +<p>“Out of regard for his welfare?” Nasmyth asked. +</p> +<p>Batley laughed. +</p> +<p>“Not altogether. The fact is, he’s carrying a good +deal of my money.” +</p> +<p>“One should have imagined that you’d have had +him well insured.” +</p> +<p>“That’s quite correct. If he came to grief in +England, I shouldn’t anticipate any trouble, but it +would be different out here and, everything considered, +I’d rather avoid complications with the insurance companies. +Now that I’ve been candid, do you feel inclined +to reciprocate?” +</p> +<p>“Not in the least,” Lisle replied shortly. “I’m not +sure I even sympathize. But since you’ve turned up +you’ll have to stick to us; I don’t want to waste time +in leading another search party. As soon as there’s +a little more light, we’ll try to get across the cañon.” +</p> +<p>“Thanks for the permission,” smiled Batley, lighting +a cigar. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXX_THE_END_OF_THE_PURSUIT' id='XXX_THE_END_OF_THE_PURSUIT'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_332' name='page_332'></a>332</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3>THE END OF THE PURSUIT</h3> +</div> + +<p>By degrees the light got clearer, the scattered +black cedars grew into definite form, and a +strip of foaming water showed in the depths +of the chasm. Lisle walked some distance along the +edge, searching for an easier place to cross, but the +rocks were smooth and almost perpendicular except +where they overhung the torrent. He went back to +where the others were sitting and found that they had +been joined by Crestwick, who briefly explained that +having set out on their trail he had been stopped by +the cañon and had followed it up until it led him to +them. +</p> +<p>“It looks worse farther along; we’ll have to try it +here,” Lisle announced. “Can you get down, Nasmyth?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced into the rift. It was, he judged, +nearly sixty feet in depth, but part of the bank on +which he stood had slipped down into the stream, leaving +an uneven surface by means of which an agile man +might descend. A tall slab of rock, evidently part of +the fallen mass, rose in a pinnacle from the water, +and on top of it rested the branches of the tree that +Gladwyne had used as a bridge and had afterward +dislodged. The rock behind it on the opposite bank +was absolutely smooth, but the thicker end of the log, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_333' name='page_333'></a>333</span> +which had fallen against the face, reached to within +about nine feet of the summit. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he said, answering Lisle’s question; “but +I’m very doubtful whether I can get up the other side. +The last bit looks particularly awkward; there’s an +outward bulge just beneath the top.” +</p> +<p>“We might manage it by giving the leader a lift, +if we got so far,” Batley suggested, pointing to the +sharp slab. “That pike should help us; I think it +would go.” +</p> +<p>“You think it would go?” queried Nasmyth meaningly. +“Aren’t you mixing idioms? Pike’s what +we’d say round Wasdale, and your other expression’s +not uncommon in Switzerland.” +</p> +<p>Batley laughed. +</p> +<p>“I’ll own that I’ve done some rock work in both +districts, though I was thinner then. But I’ve an +idea that time’s precious to our leader.” +</p> +<p>He lowered himself over the edge and finding foothold, +went down cautiously by crack and fissure, while +the others followed with some trouble. Alighting +waist-deep in a frothing rush of water, he was driven +for a few yards down-stream, and it was only by seeking +the support of the rock that he slowly made head +against the torrent. Lisle joined him when he reached +the foot of the pinnacle, where they stopped to gather +breath with a thin shower of spray whirling about +them. The light was still dim down in the bottom of +the chasm, and the mass of rock ran up above them, +shadowy, black and almost smooth. +</p> +<p>Wasting no time in examination, Lisle flung himself +upon it, seeking for a grip with elbows and knees. +He had ascended a yard or two when he lost hold and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_334' name='page_334'></a>334</span> +coming down with a run fell with a splash into the +stream. +</p> +<p>“I didn’t think you’d manage it that way,” Batley +remarked. “The edge appears a little more promising.” +</p> +<p>He went up, with Lisle following, finding hold for +knees and fingers, while Nasmyth and Crestwick, panting +heavily, encouraged each other below. On reaching +the top of the pinnacle, Batley lay upon it and +gave Lisle his hand; and when he had drawn him up +he pointed to the tree. +</p> +<p>“I’ll go first, for reasons that will become apparent +later,” he explained. “Hold on to the log; it doesn’t +seem firmly fixed.” +</p> +<p>The tree was small and when Lisle shook it the butt +moved against the face of the rock, which was separated +by a broad gap from the top of the fallen mass. +Batley was heavy, but he ascended cautiously, while +Lisle leaned upon the log to steady it. Then, calling +Nasmyth to take his place, Lisle went up. When he +was near the top, it looked as if their progress must +abruptly cease. The butt was narrow and the summit +of the rock above it projected somewhat. There was +not the smallest knob or crevice one could grasp, and +below them in the shadowy rift the torrent boiled +furiously among massy stones. It was not a place +to slip in. +</p> +<p>Batley, however, rose very carefully, with his feet +upon the shattered butt and his hands pressed against +the rock, until he stood almost upright. +</p> +<p>“You’ll have to climb up over me until you can get +your fingers on the top,” he said. “Take time when +you get up and feel for a good hold.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_335' name='page_335'></a>335</span></p> +<p>Reaching his shoulders, Lisle stood on them while +Nasmyth and Crestwick on the pinnacle beneath looked +up at a somewhat impressive spectacle. Lisle’s head +and shoulders were now above the edge, but he was +forced to bend backward and outward by the projecting +bulge which pressed against his breast, and his +cautious movements suggested that he could find no +hold. It appeared impossible for him to descend, unless +he did so accidentally, and in that event nothing +could save him from a fall to the bottom of the ravine. +For a while, they watched his tense figure moving +futilely; and then Batley, standing most precariously +poised, bent his arm and seized one of Lisle’s feet. +He spoke in a breathless gasp as he thrust it upward; +Lisle’s legs swung free and he disappeared beyond +the edge. The two below were conscious of a vast +relief. It was tempered, however, by the knowledge +that they must shortly emulate their companion’s +exploit. +</p> +<p>“Take off your pack!” Batley called to Lisle. +“Split the bag, if it’s necessary, and lower the end! +But be quick! This isn’t a comfortable position.” +</p> +<p>The pack in which the small bush rancher conveys +his provisions from the nearest store as a rule consists +of a cotton flour bag with a pair of suspenders +fastened to its corners, and Nasmyth had provided the +party with a few receptacles of similar pattern but +more strongly made before entering the wilds. The +straps, when Lisle let them down, reached several feet +from the top, and Batley bade Nasmyth and Crestwick +ascend. They managed it with assistance from +Lisle, who seized them from above. Then Batley +called up to them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_336' name='page_336'></a>336</span></p> +<p>“I’m going to test the tackle. Give me a hand up +as soon as I’m over the bulge!” +</p> +<p>It was difficult to hear him, as he was still beneath +the projecting edge, and they watched the straining +straps with keen anxiety until a hand that felt for a +hold upon the rock appeared. Lisle seized it, with +Nasmyth ready to assist, and Batley came up, gasping, +with the perspiration streaming from his face. +</p> +<p>“I’d have managed it easily at one time,” he said. +“This is what comes of civilization and soft living.” +</p> +<p>“You brought us across; we owe you a good deal +for it,” declared Lisle. +</p> +<p>Batley smiled at him as they set off again. +</p> +<p>“In this case, I won’t be an exacting creditor. In +fact, it’s rather curious how we’ve hit it off, considering +that you wouldn’t hear of a compromise and our +interests are opposed.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know what your interests are,” Lisle returned +dryly. +</p> +<p>“Then, in one way, I’m ahead of you. I know +your wishes, and Nasmyth’s—you don’t want Clarence +to marry Miss Gladwyne. It’s your motive I’m +not sure about. Do you want the girl yourself?” +</p> +<p>They were some distance in front of the others, who +were too far behind to hear them. Lisle looked at +his companion steadily. The man was engaged in a +business that was regarded with general disfavor, but +there was something he liked about him and he did +not resent his bluntness. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he answered, “it isn’t for the reason you’ve +given that I mean to stop the match.” +</p> +<p>“Can you do so?” +</p> +<p>“I’m going to try.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_337' name='page_337'></a>337</span></p> +<p>Batley smiled reflectively. +</p> +<p>“And the present journey is somehow connected +with the attempt? Now I believe I might have left +you held up on the wrong side of the cañon; the +idea was in my mind and you can give me credit for +not yielding to it. I suppose there would be no use +in my asking you for a hint as to the relation between +my rather tricky companion’s expedition and his +cousin’s death?” +</p> +<p>“None in the least,” said Lisle decidedly. +</p> +<p>Batley made a gesture of acquiescence. +</p> +<p>“Oh, well! We must try to be friends as long as +possible.” +</p> +<p>Nothing more was said about the matter, and they +spent the day forcing a passage through scrub timber, +up precipitous hillsides, and across long stony ridges. +</p> +<p>There was no sign of Gladwyne’s trail, but that did +not trouble Lisle, for he knew where the man was +heading for. On the second day Batley showed signs +of distress, and Nasmyth and Crestwick were walking +very wearily, but Lisle held on at a merciless pace. +It was essential that he should reach the cache before +Gladwyne could interfere with it. Toward evening, +Nasmyth made an effort and caught up with Lisle. +</p> +<p>“How would Clarence get across to the second +cache on the other side of the water?” he asked. “It’s +a point I’ve been considering; I suppose it’s occurred +to you.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” Lisle confessed. “The Indians +near the divide said there was another party with canoes +somewhere lower down; but, as the packer who was +with me didn’t talk to them, so far as I noticed, I +don’t see how Gladwyne could have heard of it; but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_338' name='page_338'></a>338</span> +that’s as far as I can go. If he destroyed the first +cache, it would help to clear him, unless you can +vouch for the correctness of the list I made; but he +may have some further plan in his mind.” He paused +and raised his hand. “Listen! Isn’t that the river? +We can’t be far from the cache.” +</p> +<p>The day, like the two or three preceding it, had +been hot and bright, and now that evening was drawing +on, the still air was heavy with the smell of the +cedars in a neighboring hollow. A high ridge stood +out black against a vivid green glow, and from beyond +it there rose a faint, hoarse murmur. Nasmyth +welcomed it gladly as announcing the end of the +march. +</p> +<p>“The rest of the party can hardly be down until +to-morrow; there’s a couple of portages,” he said. +“It looks as if we’ll have to go without our supper.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to see them before morning,” Lisle +returned grimly. +</p> +<p>They pushed on, the light growing dimmer as they +went, until at length the moon rose from behind the +ridge; and when they had skirted the ridge they saw +the river glimmer beneath them in a flood of silvery +radiance. It filled the gorge with its deep murmur, +for the hot sunshine for three days had melted the +snow, which had poured down to swell the flood by +every gully. Not far below the neck the broken surface +was flecked with white where the river swept +angrily over a sharper slope of its bed, and a black +boulder or two stood out in the midst of the rushing +foam. Up-stream of this there was a strip of shingle +which Nasmyth recognized as the one where the cache +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_339' name='page_339'></a>339</span> +had been made; he supposed that Lisle had struck +the spot by heading for the narrow rift of the neck, +which was conspicuous for some distance from both +sides. +</p> +<p>From end to end the sweep of pebbles was clearly +distinct; but there was no dark figure moving about +it, and Nasmyth wondered if they had come too late. +They had marched fast, as his aching muscles testified, +but they had been delayed at the cañon and Gladwyne +had had a long start. If he had arrived and +had visited the cache, their efforts might prove to +have been thrown away. There must be no shadow +of doubt when Lisle told his startling story. +</p> +<p>They descended with caution, moving through +shadow, for the ridge above them cut off the moonlight, +though it was far from dark, and they were near +the bottom when Crestwick dislodged a bank of stones +which went rattling and crashing down to the beach. +A moment later a black form sprang out from among +the rocks below and ran hurriedly along the shingle. +This surprised Nasmyth because he could not doubt +that the man was Gladwyne and he failed to understand +his object in making what would probably be +a futile attempt to avoid them. Lisle was some distance +in front, and his voice rang out sharply: +</p> +<p>“Head him off from the canoe!” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth broke into a stumbling run—it was now +obvious that Gladwyne meant to cross the river, and +perhaps destroy the second cache. +</p> +<p>Gladwyne had reached the canoe when Lisle gained +the beach, and Nasmyth, descending in reckless haste, +saw him hurriedly turn it over and raise the forward +end of it. Lisle was running his hardest, almost as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_340' name='page_340'></a>340</span> +if he were fresh, up the long strip of shingle; but it +was evident that he would be too late, and they would +have no means of following Gladwyne after the canoe +was launched. There was a sharp rattle of stones as +he hauled it down; Lisle was still some way behind; +Gladwyne sprang on board and thrust the light craft +off, and a few strokes of the paddle drove her well out +into the stream. +</p> +<p>Lisle stopped, standing in the moonlight, and his +comrade could see his hands tightly clenched at his +side; then he suddenly tore off his jacket and flung it +behind him. Noticing this, Nasmyth attempted to +increase his pace. The river was running fast, +swollen with melted snow, and Lisle must be badly +worn out. If he had to be restrained by force, he +should not attempt to swim across. +</p> +<p>Then, to Nasmyth’s astonishment, Gladwyne leaned +over the stern of the craft and began to paddle desperately +with one hand. This proceeding caused +Lisle to stop again, close at the water’s edge. +</p> +<p>“Come back!” he shouted. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth ran up and Lisle turned. +</p> +<p>“He’s dropped or broken his paddle—cracked it +when he shoved her out. There are two or three ugly +rocks in the rapid.” +</p> +<p>They ran along the bank together, keeping pace +with the craft which was sliding away fast with the +stream. Nasmyth could feel his heart thumping as +he wondered what Clarence would do. Though he +could not cross the river, it was possible that he might +propel the light canoe back to the shingle with his hand +before he reached the rapid. As he could not guide +her in the strong rush of water, there would be danger +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_341' name='page_341'></a>341</span> +in attempting to descend it. He made no response, +however, to their warning shouts. +</p> +<p>Batley and Crestwick overtook the others shortly +before the canoe swept into the faster stream at the +head of the rapid and they watched her eagerly. +There was a narrow pass between several boulders +close ahead, which was the chief danger, and the current +seemed to be carrying the craft down on one of +them. In a few moments she struck and jambed, +broadside on, across the mass of stone. White foam +boiled about her; they saw Gladwyne rise and clutch +the rock, but whether to thrust her off or to climb out +did not appear. He suddenly sank down and, so far +as they could make out, the canoe rolled over. +</p> +<p>The next moment Lisle plunged into the river. +Nasmyth ran to the water’s edge, but seeing that he +was too late, he sat down limply. Lisle was a good +swimmer, but it did not seem possible that any man +could reach Clarence before he was washed out at the +tail of the rapid. It became evident, however, that +somebody else meant to try, for Batley, running hard +down the beach, plunged in. +</p> +<p>“It’s awful!” gasped Jim Crestwick behind Nasmyth. +“It’s not the risk of drowning; they’ll be +smashed to bits! Anyway, we’d better make for the +slack at the tail.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth got up. He could see nothing of Gladwyne +or either of the others; there were only black +rocks, rushing water and outbreaks of foam, and he +had a sickening idea that long before they reached the +quieter pool the need for any services he could render +would be past. Fortunately, the beach was fairly +smooth, and after a desperate run they reached a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_342' name='page_342'></a>342</span> +tongue of rock beneath which the eddy swung. +Farther on, in the shadow, Batley stood in the water, +calling to them and apparently clinging hard to a half-seen +object in the stream. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth leaped in knee-deep, with Crestwick behind +him, and gripping the loosely-hanging arm of +the body Batley was supporting, he asked hoarsely: +</p> +<p>“Who is it?” +</p> +<p>“Lisle!” was the breathless answer. “Help me +to get him out!” +</p> +<p>They dragged him up the beach and let him sink +down. He lay upon the shingle, silent and inert. +</p> +<p>“Make a fire, Jim!” commanded Batley. “Lift his +shoulder a bit, Nasmyth! Turn him partly over!” +</p> +<p>He hurriedly examined Lisle and then looked up. +</p> +<p>“It’s not a case of drowning; and his limbs look +sound. Must have got the breath knocked out of him +against a boulder.” He pointed to a broad red gash +on Lisle’s forehead as Nasmyth eased him down again. +“That explains his unconsciousness.” +</p> +<p>“Where’s Gladwyne?” Nasmyth asked. +</p> +<p>Batley made an expressive gesture. +</p> +<p>“Beyond our help, anyway; somewhere down-river.” +He appeared to brace himself with an effort. +“I’m pretty nearly finished, but there’s a good deal +to be done. We’ll strip Lisle, and you and Crestwick +can share your dry things with him. Then one +of you had better gather cedar twigs for him to lie on.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XXXI_LISLE_GOES_TO_ENGLAND' id='XXXI_LISLE_GOES_TO_ENGLAND'></a> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_343' name='page_343'></a>343</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +<h3>LISLE GOES TO ENGLAND</h3> +</div> + +<p>Lisle had with some difficulty been dressed in +dry clothes, and he lay with his eyes shut on +a couch of cedar sprays beside a fire, when +Batley rose and turned to Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>“I don’t think we need be anxious,” he said. “The +warmth is coming back to him and he’s breathing +regularly. The knock on the head must have been +a bad one, and it’s very likely that he got another +thump or two washing down the rapid, and the water +was icy cold; but he’ll feel better after a few hours’ +sleep.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth was inclined to agree with this prediction +and he stood up wearily. +</p> +<p>“Then you won’t want me for a little while,” he +replied, walking away from the fire. +</p> +<p>Having given most of his clothes to Lisle, he was +very lightly clad and the night was cold. He shivered +as he plodded over the shingle, aching in every +limb, but he looked about eagerly and after a while +he found the cache. It was uncovered, but there were +signs that Gladwyne had only begun his task when he +had been surprised by the arrival of the party which +had followed him. +</p> +<p>Nasmyth did not pause to think what Lisle’s wishes +might be, or whether he would resent his action. So +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_344' name='page_344'></a>344</span> +far, he had kept his promise; but, with physical weariness +reacting on his mental faculties, he was only +conscious of a hazy idea that Gladwyne’s death had +released him from his pledge. The traitor had expiated +his offense; the tragic story must never be +raked up again. +</p> +<p>Stooping over the receptacle, he dragged out the +different articles in it, and avoiding a direct glance +at them or any attempt to enumerate them, he gathered +them up and striding over the shingle hurled them as +far as possible into the river. It cost him several +journeys, but his heart grew lighter with every splash. +When at last the work was finished and he had refilled +the hole and scattered the stones that had covered it, +he sat down with a great sense of relief. A burden +which had long weighed upon his mind was gone; +Mrs. Gladwyne and Millicent were safe at last from the +grief and shame that a revelation would have brought +them. Exhausted and confused as he was, he could +not tell whether he felt any sorrow for Gladwyne’s +tragic end; the man had passed beyond the reach of +human censure, one could only let his memory sink +into oblivion. +</p> +<p>Growing very cold, he went back to the fire, but +he offered no explanation of his absence. Lisle was +still asleep or unconscious, but the natural color in his +face was reassuring. +</p> +<p>“I’ve heard nothing about your part in the water,” +Nasmyth said to Batley. +</p> +<p>“There’s not much to tell. It isn’t astonishing +that my memory’s by no means clear. Anyhow, I +wasn’t far from Gladwyne, who was swimming well, +when he was swept away from me and in among the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_345' name='page_345'></a>345</span> +lower boulders by the swirl of an eddy. I suppose it +didn’t quite reach me, but the next moment I was +sucked into a rush of broken water and went down-stream, +below the surface part of the time, because I +was surprised when I found I could breathe and look +about again. By good luck, I’d got into the smoothest, +deepest flow, which swept me straight through. After +a little, I saw somebody washing down in a slack and +got hold of him. I didn’t know whether it was Gladwyne +or Lisle; but I held on and a side-swing of the +current brought us both ashore. Gladwyne, of course, +must have gone under after being badly damaged +among the rocks.” +</p> +<p>“There’s only one place where he could have landed +and I searched it while you were away,” Crestwick said +gravely. +</p> +<p>“Why did you go in after him?” Nasmyth asked +Batley. “You must have seen that you couldn’t save +him.” +</p> +<p>“That,” Batley answered with a curious smile, “is +more than I can clearly tell you; and I might suggest +that Lisle’s venture is even harder to understand. I +don’t honestly think I owe Gladwyne anything; but, +after all, we passed for friends, and I used to be fond +of swimming. Of course, there’s a more obvious explanation—I’d +lent him a good deal of money and +from what I’ve learned since, I may have some difficulty +in enforcing my claim on the estate. It was +natural that I should make an effort to recover the +debt.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth did not think that the man had been most +strongly influenced by that desire, but he addressed +Crestwick: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_346' name='page_346'></a>346</span></p> +<p>“Hadn’t you better gather some more branches or +driftwood for the fire, Jim?” +</p> +<p>Crestwick disappeared, and Nasmyth filled his pipe +before he turned to Batley. +</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “I don’t want to be offensive; +but there are two people connected with this affair +who must be spared any unnecessary suffering. +That’s a fact you had better recognize.” +</p> +<p>“I hardly think you do me justice,” returned +Batley, looking amused. “It’s perfectly plain that +there’s a mystery behind these recent events; one that +has some relation to George Gladwyne’s death. Your +idea is that an unscrupulous person of my description +might find some profit in probing it?” +</p> +<p>“You’ll never learn the truth. I’ve seen to that.” +</p> +<p>“The fact is, I don’t mean to try.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth was a little astonished at finding himself +ready to believe this. +</p> +<p>“Then,” he asked, “what do you mean to do about +your claim on Gladwyne?” +</p> +<p>“In the first place, there’s the insurance; but I discovered +by accident that the company Gladwyne had +his policy on was the one that had insured his cousin. +Whether they’ll be struck by the coincidence and the +unusual nature of both accidents and make trouble or +not, I can’t tell; but if they pay up there’ll be an end +of the thing. Failing that, I’ll have to consider. +My demands might be contested by the Gladwyne +trustees—the deal was a little irregular in some respects—but +I parted with the money and I’m going +to make an effort to get it back.” +</p> +<p>“How much did Clarence owe you?” +</p> +<p>Batley told him and Nasmyth looked thoughtful. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_347' name='page_347'></a>347</span></p> +<p>“Well,” he requested, “if you meet with strong +opposition, come to me before you decide on any +course, and I’ll see what can be arranged. I dare say +there’ll be some trouble, but I know the trustees—and, +as I said, there are people who must be saved all +needless pain, at any cost.” +</p> +<p>“It’s promised,” agreed Batley. “I’ll make things +as easy as possible, but that’s as far as I can go. +I’m not rich enough to be recklessly generous.” +</p> +<p>Lisle woke soon after this and asked one or two +half-intelligible questions, but they gave him no information +and he went to sleep again; then Crestwick +arrived with more fuel and Nasmyth took the +first watch while his companions rested. He was very +cold, and now and then he saw Batley, who had discarded +most of his wet clothes, wake up for a few +moments and shiver. Once or twice he glanced longingly +at the garments spread out round the fire, but +when he felt them they were still too wet to put on. +After a while Crestwick relieved him, and when he +awakened dawn was breaking across the black ridges +and the rushing river. Batley had left his place, and +Crestwick began to stride up and down the beach, +presumably to warm himself. To Nasmyth’s satisfaction +and surprise, Lisle spoke to him. +</p> +<p>“You slept pretty sound,” he said. “Didn’t hear +me getting some information about what happened +out of Batley.” +</p> +<p>“Then you know?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” was the grim answer. “The thing’s finished; +there’s nothing to be done.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a sign of agreement. +</p> +<p>“How do you feel?” he asked. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_348' name='page_348'></a>348</span></p> +<p>“Horribly sore all over, left side particularly. +Struck a big boulder, and then drove in among a nest +of stones before my senses left me. Tried to get up +a while ago, but couldn’t manage it. What’s as much +to the purpose, I’m feeling hungry.” +</p> +<p>“Unfortunately, there’s nothing left for breakfast. +One of us had better go up-stream and look out for the +canoes.” +</p> +<p>Lisle nodded. +</p> +<p>“That’s your duty—I don’t envy you. Make +them camp a little higher up. It would be better, in +several ways, and I’d rather be on my feet again before +they come here.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth set off, jaded and hungry, and he was feeling +very limp when, as he plodded along a high ridge, +he saw the canoes sliding down the river. He had +hard work to reach the bank and he shrank from the +task before him when the first canoe grounded upon +the stones. Millicent and Bella were in it, and Millicent +gazed at the lonely man with fixed, anxious eyes. +He was ragged and looked very weary; his face was +worn and haggard. +</p> +<p>“Where are the rest?” she asked in a strained voice. +“Something has happened—what is it?” +</p> +<p>“Three of them are some miles down the river.” +</p> +<p>“Three!” cried Millicent, in dismay. “Haven’t +you found Clarence yet?” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth hesitated, regarding her compassionately, +but she made a sign of protest. +</p> +<p>“Go on! Don’t keep me in suspense!” +</p> +<p>“Clarence,” said Nasmyth quietly, “is dead. +Lisle is rather badly damaged.” +</p> +<p>Millicent left the canoe and sat down, very white +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_349' name='page_349'></a>349</span> +in face, upon a neighboring stone. In the meanwhile +the other canoes had grounded and her companions +gathered about her. She did not speak to +them and some time passed before she turned to +Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>“Tell me all,” she begged. +</p> +<p>He briefly related what had happened, and there +was an impressive silence when he finished. Then +Millicent slowly rose. +</p> +<p>“And Lisle’s badly hurt,” she said. “We must +go on!” +</p> +<p>They relaunched the canoes and Nasmyth had no +further speech with her, for as they floated down-river +she sat, still and silent, in another canoe. She +was conscious chiefly of an unnerving horror and a +sense of contrition. Clarence was dead, and she had +been coldly hypercritical; hardly treating him as a +lover, thinking of his failings. She blamed herself +bitterly in a half-dazed fashion, but it was only afterward +she realized that she had not been troubled by +any very poignant sense of loss. +</p> +<p>After a while Nasmyth said they would land, but +Millicent roused herself to countermand his instructions +and eventually they reached Batley’s camp. +Lisle had got up during the day and he now walked +painfully down to the water’s edge to meet her. When +she landed he gravely pressed her hand. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” he said simply. “We did what we +could to save him.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I know,” she responded. “Nobody could +doubt that.” +</p> +<p>Then Nasmyth landed with provisions and while the +men ate two Indians strode into the camp and addressed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_350' name='page_350'></a>350</span> +Lisle angrily. They were curing salmon, they +said, and had left a canoe on the shingle, in order to +avoid a portage when returning, and they had gone in +another craft to set some fish-traps in a lower rapid. +To their surprise they had afterward seen their canoe +drifting down-stream full of water and badly damaged, +and they had set off at once to discover who was responsible. +</p> +<p>Lisle offered them some silver currency, and after +a little chaffering they departed satisfied. +</p> +<p>“Now we know how the canoe came to be lying +where Gladwyne found her,” he said to Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>Then he sought Millicent. +</p> +<p>“I think,” he told her gently, “we had better go +on—to stay here would be painful.” He hesitated. +“I’ll leave Crestwick and an experienced river-Jack +packer to investigate. If you would rather, I’ll stay +with them, though I’m afraid I can’t get about much.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” she replied in a voice which had a +break in it. “You must come with us; you don’t +look fit to stand.” +</p> +<p>Running the rapid, they slid away down-river, and +once more Millicent sat very still, thinking confused +thoughts, until at last they made camp for the night +and she crept away to the shelter of her tent. A day +or two later Crestwick and the packer overtook them, +having discovered nothing; and then the party was +animated by a strong desire to escape from the river +and reach the trail to the settlements as soon as possible. +Further search for Gladwyne was useless; the +flood had swept him away and no one would ever +know where his bones lay. He had set out on his +longest and most mysterious journey, leaving only two +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_351' name='page_351'></a>351</span> +women to mourn him, and of these one, who had tried +to love him out of duty, would by and by forget. +</p> +<p>On the evening before they left the river, Lisle stood +with Millicent looking back up the long reach they +had descended. They had reached the taller timber, +and on one bank black firs, climbing the hillside, stood +out against the fading light with a gauzy mist-curtain +drawn across their higher ranks. The flood slid by, +glimmering dimly, smooth and green, and from out +of the distance came the throbbing clamor of a rapid. +</p> +<p>“It’s your last look,” said Lisle. “We’ll be in the +bush to-morrow and I expect to hire a wagon, or at +least a horse or two, in a few days. Now I’m sorry +I ever brought you here. You’ll be glad to get +away.” +</p> +<p>“You mustn’t blame yourself,” she told him. “We +have only gratitude for you. You have no part in the +painful memories.” +</p> +<p>She glanced once more up the valley; and then +moved back into the shadow of the firs. +</p> +<p>“It’s all wildly beautiful, but it’s so pitiless—I +shall never think of it without a shiver.” +</p> +<p>“You have made plenty of notes and sketches for +the book,” suggested Lisle, seeing her distress. +</p> +<p>“The book? I don’t know that I shall ever finish +it. I feel cut adrift, as if there were no use in working +and I hadn’t a purpose left. First George went, +and then Clarence—so far, there was always some +one to think of—and now I’m all alone.” +</p> +<p>She broke out into open sobbing and Lisle, feeling +very sympathetic and half dismayed, awkwardly tried +to soothe her. +</p> +<p>“I’m better,” she said at last. “It was very foolish, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_352' name='page_352'></a>352</span> +but I couldn’t help it. I think we’ll go back to +the others.” +</p> +<p>He gave her his arm, for the way was rough, but +as they approached the camp she stopped a moment +amid the shadow and stillness of the great fir trunks. +</p> +<p>“I have done with the river—I think I am afraid +of it,” she confessed. “Can’t we get away early to-morrow?” +</p> +<p>Lisle said it should be arranged and she turned to +him gratefully. +</p> +<p>“One can always rely on you! You’re just like +George was in many ways. It’s curious that whenever +I’m in trouble I think of him—” +</p> +<p>She seemed on the verge of another breakdown, and +she laid her hand in his for a moment before she went +from him hurriedly with a low, “Good night!” +</p> +<p>Lisle strolled back to the river and lighted his pipe. +He had noticed and thought it significant that she +spoke more of the brother whom she had lost several +years ago than of the lover who had perished recently; +but, from whatever cause it sprung, her distress +troubled him. +</p> +<p>His thoughts were presently interrupted by Nasmyth. +</p> +<p>“There’s a thing I’d better tell you, Vernon,” he +said, sitting down near by. “The night you were half +drowned I emptied the cache and, without making any +note of what was in it, pitched everything into the +river.” +</p> +<p>“So I discovered. At least, when I managed with +some trouble to reach the place, I knew it was either +you or Gladwyne, and I blamed you.” +</p> +<p>“Well?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_353' name='page_353'></a>353</span></p> +<p>“I’ve decided,” Lisle said gravely, “that you did +quite right. It’s the end of that story.” +</p> +<p>“Then you have abandoned the purpose you had in +view?” +</p> +<p>“I’ve been thinking hard, and it seems to me that +if Vernon were with me now, the last thing that would +please him would be to see the two women suffer; he +was a big man in every way. There’s another thing—he +left no relations to consider.” +</p> +<p>Nasmyth laid a hand on his shoulder in a very expressive +way. +</p> +<p>“I felt all along that you’d come to look at it +like that!” +</p> +<p>“But there’s Batley; he has some suspicions.” +</p> +<p>“I can silence him,” promised Nasmyth. “The +man has his good points, after all.” +</p> +<p>“That’s so,” Lisle agreed. “Still, I’ll come +straight across to England and tackle him if you fail. +If it’s a question of money, you can count me in—I’ve +been prospering lately.” He rose and knocked +out his pipe. “That’s the last word on the matter.” +</p> +<p>They went back to camp, and starting soon after +sunrise the next morning they reached a settlement +on the railroad after a comparatively easy journey; +and that evening Lisle stood with a heavy heart beside +the track while the big cars moved away, his eyes +fixed on a woman’s figure that leaned out from a vestibule +platform, waving a hand to him. +</p> +<p>After that he went back to his work, with Crestwick; +and nearly twelve months had passed when he +sent a cable to England and started for that country +a day after receiving the answer. Crestwick insisted +on going with him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_354' name='page_354'></a>354</span></p> +<p>“You’ll no doubt want my support again,” he +grinned. “There’s an office I mean to rob Nasmyth +of, if I can.” +</p> +<p>It was evening when they drove into sight of Millicent’s +house. Lisle’s heart throbbed painfully fast +as he got down, but he was not kept waiting. Millicent +was standing in her drawing-room, and as he came +in she held out her hand to him. +</p> +<p>“You answered my message,” he said, seizing it. +“You must have guessed what I meant when I asked +if I might come across.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she confessed softly; “I knew and I told +you to come.” +</p> +<p>He still held her a little away from him as he gave +a quick glance at the refined and artistic appointments +of the room. +</p> +<p>“There’s a good deal you will have to give up,” he +told her. “You’re not afraid of our new and rugged +country? But it has something to offer—and we +need such people as you.” +</p> +<p>“It’s going to be a great country before very long,” +she answered gravely; “and I have no dread of it now. +But—I gave my dearest—I think it owes me something +in return.” +</p> +<p>He drew her masterfully into his arms. +</p> +<p>“It discharges all its debts. You must teach me +how to pay you back in full measure; that’s my one +big task. You’re giving so much freely; but, of +course, I’m glad—I don’t want duty.” +</p> +<p>“This isn’t duty,” she smiled; “it’s love!” +</p> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:3em;'>THE END</p> +</div> + +<!-- generated by ppgen.rb version: 2.11 --> +<!-- timestamp: Fri Jun 27 04:57:36 -0600 2008 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Long Portage, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LONG PORTAGE *** + +***** This file should be named 25910-h.htm or 25910-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/9/1/25910/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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