Forel looked Alton steadily in the face.  “I happen to know that he took a good big cheque with him, and it was negotiated in Tacoma,” he said.  “It has transpired since that his partner was away that day, and his cheque-book not available.”

Alton’s eyes closed a trifle, and though he made no other sign Forel saw that the shot had reached its mark.  “Then,” he said slowly, “I would rather you didn’t mention it.  Hallam is scarcely likely to venture back again.”

“No,” said Forel.  “There were, I fancy, things his partners didn’t know, but when he had gone they commenced inquiring, and it is currently believed that what they discovered slightly astonished them.  Then there was an indignation meeting of the Tyee shareholders and talk about prosecuting the accountant.”

There was relief in Alton’s face, which softened suddenly as he said, “And how is Miss Deringham?”

Forel smiled.  “I fancied you were about to ask that question first,” he said.  “The girl seemed to take it very hard, and at last I sent my wife and her away up to the hotel in the Rockies.  Hettie has persuaded her to stay on here, and I expect them home very shortly.”

“But she would be wanted at Carnaby?” said Alton.

“Well,” said Forel, once more watching him, “I believe the lawyers wrote for her, but she seems to have a horror of the place, and Hettie dare scarcely mention it to her.  I’ll tell you nothing more until you’ve had dinner.”

Forel adhered to his resolution, and it was more than an hour later when he returned to the subject as they sat, cigar in hand, on the verandah, watching the lights of the vessels blink across the inlet.  “We are going to keep Miss Deringham as long as we can,” he said.  “She has no kinsfolk she thinks much of in England, and Hettie is very fond of her.  Did I tell you that Thorne called upon her?”

“No,” said Alton, with a curious vibration in his voice.  “Well,” said Forel, “I meant to.  No doubt he felt it his duty, but Hettie seemed to fancy there was something else.  Still, I think she was mistaken, because he said good-bye to us when he went away, and we heard since that he had sailed for another station.”

“He was a good man,” said Alton gravely.

Forel glanced at him curiously.  “Women are subject to such fancies, and Hettie had another once,” he said.  “In fact, I think she was quite sorry when it apparently came to nothing.”

Alton laughed mirthlessly.  “Wasn’t it a trifle foolish of Mrs. Forel?  Miss Deringham is a lady of position in the old country, and I a bush rancher, standing on the brink of ruin, and a cripple.”

“Of course,” said Forel, “you know best.  Still, I can’t help fancying you are unduly proud of your affliction, because it is scarcely perceptible to other people, while Miss Deringham has not a great deal to maintain her position with.  You see the death duties are heavy in the old country, and from the letters she has shown me Deringham appears to have involved the estate considerably during his stewardship.”