“You mustn’t feel that way.  I’m sure it won’t affect us at all, for we have nothing more to lose.  Sometimes I think his judgment is faulty, erratic, wonderful man though he is.  Mother trusts him blindly, of course, and so do I, yet I hardly know what to do.  It is impossible that he did worse than make a mistake.”

Her dark eyes were bent upon Murray and they were eloquent with the question which she could not bring herself to ask.  He longed to tell her frankly that Curtis Gordon was a charlatan, or even worse, and that his fairest schemes were doomed to failure by the very nature of his methods, but instead he said: 

“I’m deeply distressed.  I hope things are not as bad as you think and that Mr. Gordon will be able to straighten them out for you.  If ever I can be of service you must be sure to call upon me.”

Her thanks were conventional, but in her heart was a deep, warm gratitude, for she knew that he meant what he said and would not fail her.

Dan Appleton, eying Natalie and his chief from a distance, exclaimed, admiringly: 

“She’s a perfect peach, Sis.  She registered a home run with me the first time at bat.”

“She is nice.”

“You know a fellow gets mighty lonely in a place like this.  She’d make a dandy sister-in-law for you, wouldn’t she?”

“Forget it!” said Eliza, sharply.  “That’s rank insubordination.  Omar Khayyam snatched her from the briny and tried to die for her.  He has bought her two acres of the most expensive roses and he remembers the date of her birthday.  Just you keep your hands off.”

“How does she feel about him?”

“Oh, she heroizes him, of course.  I don’t know just how deep the feeling goes, but I got the impression that it was pretty serious.  Two women can’t borrow hair-pins and mix powder puffs for a week and remain strangers.”

“Then, as for Daniel Appleton, C.E., Good night!” exclaimed her brother, ruefully.  “If I were a woman I’d marry him myself, provided I could get ahead of the rush; but, being a male of the species, I suppose I shall creep out into the jungle and sulk.”

“Right-o!  Don’t enter this race, for I’m afraid you’d be a bad loser!  Personally I can’t see anything in him to rave about.  What scares me pink is the knowledge that I must tell him the wretched business that brings me here.  If he strikes me, Danny, remember I’m still your sister.”

When the big gong gave the signal for luncheon Appleton conducted Natalie and Eliza to the company messroom, where the field and office force dined together, and presented them to his fellow-lieutenants.  At supper-time those who had been out on the line during the day were likewise introduced, and after a merry meal the whole party escorted the two girls back to the green bungalow.

“Why, here’s a piano!” Eliza exclaimed upon entering the parlor.

“I borrowed it for the evening from the Elite Saloon,” O’Neil volunteered.  “It’s a dissipated old instrument, and some of its teeth have been knocked out—­in drunken brawls, I’m afraid—­but the owner vouched for its behavior on this occasion.”