Alton glanced at both of them with a slightly bewildered expression.  “Of course!” said he.  “The thing’s quite simple.  That steer is worth so many dollars to Miss Townshead’s father, and he couldn’t afford to lose them.”

Alice Deringham turned aside with a just perceptible gesture of impatience, which Seaforth noticed and fancied he understood, though it was not apparent to the others, and while she rode on with him, Alton appeared thoughtful as he did something to his bridle.  When he had finished it he saw that his companion was smiling at him.

“It seems to me there are a good many things I don’t know,” said he.

“Of course,” said the girl lightly.  “Still, I don’t think I would worry over them if I were you.  They are very trivial!”

Alton nodded sagely, and odd fragments of his conversation reached Miss Deringham.  “We’ll send someone back for the steer,” he said.  “Jack’s no better?”

“No,” said the girl, with a little quiver in her voice.  “I am afraid the work is too hard for him up there.”

Alton seemed thoughtful.  “I wonder if he would come down and do something for me,” he said.  “I could find a use for another man or two, you see.”

Again the little flush of crimson crept into Miss Townshead’s cheeks.  “I don’t think so; he seems to fancy he can get into the C.P.R. service when he is better.”

“Well,” said Alton, “I’m going to take a liberty.  Jack wouldn’t have gone up yonder if you hadn’t wanted the dollars?”

Nellie Townshead looked down a moment, then swiftly raised her head, and though her fingers seemed to tighten on the bridle there was a curious steadiness in her eyes.  “There is,” she said, “no use in denying what everybody knows.”

Alton nodded.  “I know that kind of worry, and it’s a bad one.  Has Hallam got a hold upon the ranch?”

Miss Townshead appeared astonished, and did not answer for a moment.  “I fancied you did not know, but he has,” she said.  “He came up to see my father a week ago, and that is why we are selling the stock.”

Alton’s face darkened.  “That man’s of the same breed as the panther, only the panther lets up when he’s full.  Well, you needn’t tell me any more.  Interest’s high in this country, but it’s a pity your father------”

He stopped a moment, and appeared a trifle embarrassed when the girl regarded him with a little flash in her eyes.  “My father has done his best,” she said.

“Of course!” said Alton hastily.  “Well, now, Hallam wants your ranch, and when that man wants a thing it’s bad to keep him from getting it, but it wouldn’t please me to see him take the ranch.  I wonder if you can figure what his next move will be?”

The girl’s fingers trembled, but there was patience and courage in her eyes.  “I am afraid I can,” said she.  “We shall be sold up and driven out very shortly.”

Alton shook his head.  “I wouldn’t count too much on that.  Hallam’s bad all through, but there are one or two other men who will have a finger in what’s going to be made out of this country, and it would be a favour if when he shuts down on you, you send word to me.”