“She’ll manage all right.  She’s very capable.  She is helping me with the farm.  The life seems to suit her all right, only I shall have to see she doesn’t work too hard.”

“That you will, my son.  This climate’s hard on women.  Look at poor Bill Merston’s wife!  When she came out, she was as pretty and as sweet as a little wild rose.  And now—­well, it gives you the heartache to look at her.”

“Does it?” said Burke grimly.  “She doesn’t affect me that way.  If I were in Merston’s place,—­well, she wouldn’t look like that for long.”

“Wouldn’t she though?” Kelly looked at him with interest.  “You always were a goer, old man.  And what would your treatment consist of?”

“Discipline,” said Burke briefly.  “No woman is happy if she despises her husband.  If I were in Merston’s place, I would see to it that she did not despise me.  That’s the secret of her trouble.  It’s poison to a woman to look down on her husband.”

“Egad!” laughed Kelly.  “But you’ve studied the subject?  Well, here’s to the fair lady of your choice!  May she fulfil all expectations and be a comfort to you all the days of your life!”

“Thanks!” said Burke.  “Now let’s hear a bit about yourself!  How’s the diamond industry?”

“Oh, there’s nothing the matter with it just now.  We’ve turned over some fine stones in the last few days.  Plenty of rubbish, too, of course.  You don’t want a first-class speculation, I presume?  If you’ve got a monkey to spare, I can put you on to something rather great.”

“Thanks, I haven’t,” said Burke.  “I never have monkeys to spare.  But what’s the gamble?”

“Oh, it’s just a lottery of Wilbraham’s.  He has a notion for raffling his biggest diamond.  The draw won’t take place for a few weeks yet; and then only monkeys need apply.  It’s a valuable stone.  I can testify to that.  It would be worth a good deal more if it weren’t for a flaw that will have to be taken out in the cutting and will reduce it a lot.  But even so, it’s worth some thousands, worth risking a monkey for, Burke.  Think what a splendid present it would be for your wife!”

Burke laughed and shook his head.  “She isn’t that sort if I know her.”

“Bet you you don’t know her then,” said Kelly, with a grin.  “It’s a good sporting chance anyway.  I don’t fancy there will be many candidates, for the stone has an evil name.”

Burke looked slightly scornful.  “Well, I’m not putting any monkeys into Wilbraham’s pocket, so that won’t trouble me.  Have you seen anything of Guy Ranger lately?”

The question was casually uttered, but it sent a sharp gleam of interest into Kelly’s eyes.  “Oh, it’s him you’ve come for, is it?” he said.  “Well, let me tell you this for your information!  He’s had enough of Blue Hill Farm for the present.”

Burke said nothing, but his grey eyes had a more steely look than usual as he digested the news.