“I can wait,” said Burke.

She linked her little finger in his, swinging it carelessly.  There was absolute confidence in her action; only her eyes avoided his.

“You’re jolly decent to me,” she said.  “I often wonder why.”

“You’ll know one day,” said Burke very quietly.

CHAPTER IV

THE CAPTURE

A dust-storm had been blowing practically all day, and the mining crowds of Brennerstadt were thirsty to a man.  They congregated at every bar with the red sand thick upon them, and cursed the country and the climate with much heartiness and variety.

Burke Ranger was one of the thirstiest when he reached the town after his ride through the desert—­a ride upon which he had flatly refused to allow Sylvia to accompany him.  He went straight to the hotel where he had stayed for his marriage, and secured a room.  Then he went down to the dining-room, where he was instantly greeted by an old friend, Kelly, the Irish manager of a diamond mine in the neighbourhood.

Kelly was the friend of everyone.  He knew everyone’s affairs and gossiped openly with a childlike frankness that few could resent.  Everyone declared he could never keep a secret, yet nearly everyone confided in him.  His goodness of heart was known to all, and he was regarded as a general arbitrator among the sometimes restless population of Brennerstadt.

His delight at seeing Burke was obvious; he hailed him with acclamations.  “I’ve been meaning to ride over your way for ages,” he declared, his rubicund face shining with geniality as he wrung his friend’s hand hard.  “I was up-country when you came along last with your bride.  Dark horse that you are, Burke!  I should as soon have thought of getting married myself, as of seeing you in double harness.”

Burke laughed his careless laugh.  “You’ll come to it yet.  No fun in growing old alone in this country.”

“And what’s the lady like?” pursued Kelly, keen for news as an Irish terrier after a rat.  “As fair as Eve and twice as charming?”

“Something that style,” agreed Burke.  “What are you drinking, old chap?  Any ice to be had?”

He conferred with the waiter, but Kelly’s curiosity was far from being satisfied.  He pounced back upon the subject the moment Burke’s attention was free.

“And is she new to this part of the world then?  She came out to be married, I take it?  And what does she think of it at all?”

“You’ll have to come over and see for yourself,” said Burke.

“So I will, old feller.  I’ll come on the first opportunity.  I’d love to see the woman who can capture you.  Done any shooting lately, or is wedded bliss still too sweet to leave?”

“I’ve had a few other things as well to think about,” said Burke drily,

“And this is your first absence?  What will the missis do without you?”