“I see.  Their advice seems to have been rather disastrous.”

“At first it seemed so,” I answered, “but now they advise me by no means to allow foreclosure to be completed if it can be avoided.  The lands are worth many times the price paid for them.”

“I see—­and they have some sort of an offer as well—­eh?”

“A half loaf is better than no bread,” I assented.  “I think I ought to go out there and examine all this in detail.”

“But one thing I don’t understand about this,” began Colonel Sheraton, “your father’s partner, Colonel Meriwether, was on joint paper with him.  What did he say to you when you saw him?”

“Nothing,” I replied.  “We did not discuss the matter.”

“What?  That was the sole reason why you went out to see him!”

“Other matters came up,” said I.  “This was not brought up at all between us.”

Colonel Sheraton looked at me keenly.  “I must admit, Mr. Cowles,” said he, slowly weighing his words, that of late certain things have seemed more than a little strange to me.  If you will allow me so to express myself, there is in my own house, since you came, a sort of atmosphere of indefiniteness.  Now, why was it you did not take up these matters with Colonel Meriwether?  Certainly they were important to you; and under the circumstances they have a certain interest to myself.  What are you trying to cover up?”

“Nothing from you of a business nature, sir; and nothing from Miss Grace of any nature which I think she ought to know.”

He turned on me swiftly.  “Young man, what do you propose to do in regard to my daughter?  I confess I have contemplated certain plans in your benefit.  I feel it is time to mention these matters with you.”

[Illustration:  ON HIS WAY BACK HOME JOHN FINDS HIS MOTHER AND GRACE, WHO HAVE COME TO MEET HIM]

[Illustration:  JOHN’S MOTHER HEARS THAT HIS MISSION HAS BEEN A FAILURE “I’VE FAILED. MOTHER!”]

“It is time,” I answered.  “But if you please, it seems to me Miss Grace and I should first take them up together.  Has she spoken to you in any way that might lead you to think she would prefer our engagement to be broken?”

“No, sir.  There has only been a vagueness and indefiniteness which I did not like.”

“Had my affairs not mended, Colonel Sheraton, I could not have blamed any of you for breaking the engagement.  If conditions prove to be practically the same now as then, it is she who must decide her course and mine.”

“That is perfectly honorable.  I have no criticism to offer.  I have only her happiness at heart.”

“Then, if you please, sir, since I am rather awkwardly situated here, I should like very much to see Miss Grace this morning.”

He bowed in his lofty way and left me.  Within a half hour a servant brought me word that Miss Grace would see me in the drawing-room.