Ghastly mistakes!  Some cynic has said the only mistake in life a man can make is “to go broke.”  Bryant did not realize until afterward the irony lurking in the penumbra of the talk with Menocal.  He was broke, unable to proceed, even while he listened to the banker’s commendation.  The workmen were busy, it was true, and the horses were pulling loaded fresnos, and plows were cutting the trench deeper; but that was an expiring motion, a last falling gesture.  Only a few wretched dollars lay at the bottom of the money chest.  A day more, and Menocal would have won.

That evening Lee climbed in his car and drove away from camp.  Carrigan had said nothing, but he as well as Bryant knew the company’s bank account was drained; he would expect a settlement and when it was made, discharge the crews, pull up stakes, and move his property to Kennard.  At Sarita Creek Bryant alighted.

“I wish to see Ruth,” he told Imogene.  “Is she away?  Her cabin is dark and I obtained no answer to my knock.”

“She’s gone to town.”

“Well, I wanted to tell her I’ve failed.  Work stops to-morrow.  Out of money.  And less than two miles to build!”

Imogene’s face became a picture of dismay.

“Oh, no, Lee!  There must be some way to go on, some place to obtain money,” she cried.

“None.  I’ve tried, but have reached the end of my rope.  Only twenty thousand more needed, or maybe twenty-five.  Just enough to hammer through during the next two weeks.  But it might as well be a million.  I decided to inform Ruth at once; she might consider it important.”

“She would,” said she, positively.

“I haven’t been to Sarita Creek before since you returned.  You can guess why.”

“Yes.”

“Does Ruth suspect that I’ve ceased to love her?” he asked, frowning.

“I think not.  There was considerable talk on her part about being bored with Kennard and how happy she would be when she was married, but it was on the surface.  She’s really waiting for something I’m not able to divine.  I’m reminded when I observe her of a card-player studying a hand before the cards begin to fall.”

“Where is she to-night?  With Charlie Menocal?”

“With Gretzinger.”

“Gretzinger back?”

“Arrived in Kennard this morning.  Two days ago Ruth received a letter with a New York post-mark and became very animated.  I’m sure she has had none before.  Then late this afternoon the man himself appeared here, ate supper with us, and took Ruth off to a concert in town.  He said he had business in camp with you to-morrow.”

“Ruth’s spirits have revived and her retirement has ended,” Lee remarked, with sarcasm.  “Well, don’t say anything about this now to either of them.”

“Oh, I’ll be long asleep when they return, and I’ll not speak of it to Ruth in the morning.  She’ll not rise before noon, I suspect, as it will be one or two o’clock before they’re home.  Or she may stay with one of the girls she’s chummy with and come up with him to-morrow.  Probably that.”