“How long have you been here?”

She studied the sun a moment before replying.  “Several hours.”

“Did you walk over in the night?”

“No.  You told me not to, you know.  I waited till the dawn.  Don’t scold me, Ban.  I was dead for want of sleep and I couldn’t get it in the lodge.  It’s haunted, I tell you, with unpeaceful spirits.  So I remembered this hammock.”

“I’m not going to scold you.  I’m going to feed you.  The coffee’s on.”

“How good!” she cried, getting to her feet.  “Am I a sight?  I feel frowsy.”

“There’s a couple of buckets of water up in my room.  Help yourself while I set out the breakfast.”

In fifteen minutes she was down, freshened and joyous.

“I’ll just take a bite and then run back to my patient,” she said.  “You can bring the blanket when you come.  It’s heavy for a three-mile tramp....  What are you looking thoughtful and sober about, Ban?  Do you disapprove of my escapade?”

“That’s a foolish question.”

“It’s meant to be.  And it’s meant to make you smile.  Why don’t you?  You are worried.  ’Fess up.  What’s happened?”

“I’ve had a letter from the reporter in Angelica City.”

“Oh!  Did he send your article?”

“He did.  But that isn’t the point.  He says he’s coming up here again.”

“What for?”

“You.”

“Does he know I’m here?  Did he mention my name?”

“No.  But he’s had some information that probably points to you.”

“What did you answer?”

Ban told her.  “I think that will hold him off,” he said hopefully.

“Then he’s a very queer sort of reporter,” returned Io scornfully out of her wider experience.  “No; he’ll come.  And if he’s any good, he’ll find me.”

“You can refuse to see him.”

“Yes; but it’s the mere fact of my being here that will probably give him enough to go on and build up a loathsome article.  How I hate newspapers!...  Ban,” she appealed wistfully, “can’t you stop him from coming?  Must I go?”

“You must be ready to go.”

“Not until Miss Camilla is well again,” she declared obstinately.  “But that will be in a day or two.  Oh, well!  What does it all matter!  I’ve not much to pack up, anyway.  How are you going to get me out?”

“That depends on whether Gardner comes, and how he comes.”

He pointed to a darkening line above the southwestern horizon.  “If that is what it looks like, we may be in for another flood, though I’ve never known two bad ones in a season.”

Io beckoned quaintly to the far clouds.  “Hurry!  Hurry!” she summoned.  “You wrecked me once.  Now save me from the Vandal.  Good-bye, Ban.  And thank you for the lodging and the breakfast.”