"Why" began Forsyth, and then, over the broken meats Hinds told him several things which presently sent him hastily in to Dick.
"There's quite a good deal of talk about this goin' around," he said.
"Ah!" Dick was shaving with stretched jaws, and he did not appear interested. Forsyth sat heavily down on the cot.
"Who's to say those two didn't put an end to Ducane out there? Robison would likely make his pile out of the transactions they've been through together, and Mrs. D. must have hated the brute. And—there's more than one one had a fancy for somone you know. I guess you understand how news travels on the Rivers, Heriot."
"Ah! What an innocent and friendly old world this is. I am going to see Mrs. Ducane now, Forsyth; and I think I can promise that she will tell me all I want to know. Yes; I think I can promise that."
"Did she send you up to Lobstick, Heriot?"
"No."
"I believe that's a damned lie, you know. She did. You'd best be careful, or you'll be in the soup yourself presently. Can't you guess what fellows are saying about this business?"
Dick looked at him with half-shut eyes and a slow smile.
"No," he said. "I can't guess. How could you expect me to?"
All the world swam in a warm yellow haze of evening when Dick came on to the wide verandah where Lowndes sat smoking with his wife beside him. The children ran to him, and he lifted one wild-haired little imp and kissed her.
"Well, Jack," he said. Then he looked over her head and smiled at Mrs. Lowndes.
"I am afraid I must be uncivil enough to say that I didn't come to call," he said. "I came to see Mrs. Ducane. Would you tell me where I can find her?"
Mrs. Lowndes stood up nervously. Her heart was bobbing in her throat.
"Certainly. She is in the side room; fourth down the
