Bryant waved a hand towards the engineers’ shack and thither Charlie was propelled, cursing and struggling, in Morgan’s firm grasp.  Entering his office, Lee closed the door, walked to the stove, and standing there produced the letter.  It was the first and only missive he had ever received from Ruth.  He gazed at the envelope and the scrawled writing on it with an impression of strangeness, but this gave way to a curiosity as to the contents.  He had a strong suspicion of the letter’s purport.  Ruth would have reviewed her conduct that night at Sarita Creek, and, with her instinctive cunning, perceived it would alienate Lee.  The message doubtless carried an adroit explanation and excuse, ending up with numerous declarations of her affection and hypocritical assertions of her anxiety on his account.  Disgust overwhelmed him.  He was minded to cast the thing into the stove unread.  At last, however, muttering to himself, he thrust a forefinger under the flap and ripped the envelope open.  A newspaper clipping that had been enclosed in the letter dropped to the floor.  He read: 

    DEAR LEE: 

After thinking the matter over very carefully, I’ve decided to release you from our engagement.  If this pains you, as I fear it will, I’m extremely sorry, but I’ve discovered that we’re not temperamentally suited to each other.  You’ve failed, besides, so I understand, which further convinces me of that.  And in addition, I’ve learned of late that I love another, who loves me.  Therefore it’s much better that I take this step, much better and much wiser—­don’t you think so?  However, Lee, I shall always be your friend.

It may interest you to know that this evening Mr. Gretzinger and I are to be married.  Privately, with only a few close friends.  We depart immediately after the ceremony for New York.  Mr. Menocal is to pack my things at Sarita Creek, so you need not bother about them.  I understand Imogene is visiting at the Graham ranch; I’m dropping her a note there telling her the news.

          With best wishes,
          RUTH.

Bryant lifted from the floor and read the clipping.  It was a short announcement, evidently from a Kennard paper, of the prospective wedding that night of Miss Ruth Gardner, of Sarita Creek, and Mr. J. Senton Gretzinger, of New York.

When he had read this, Lee gently tilted and shook the envelope.  But no diamond solitaire dropped out.

CHAPTER XXX

They were waiting in the sheriff’s office in the court house in Bartolo.  They were waiting for Mr. Menocal.  Winship had sent a messenger for him.  At one place in the room, handcuffed and tied, sat the evil-eyed Alvarez; at another sat Charlie Menocal, silent and apprehensive and with a sickly pallor showing under his dusky skin; and between them lounged Morgan.  The sheriff and Bryant stood across the room conversing of the storm.