e was prompt in action,
pitiful and humorous. She remembered his gay buoyancy, she could
imagine his facing his troubles with a laugh. It was characteristic of
him that he had gone up into the wilds of the frozen North with an
inexperienced companion on a rash search for fortune, which she
gathered would probably elude him. Still, she knew that he would
struggle gallantly against the perils and hardships he might have to
face. Then she remembered that by sitting alone with an abstracted air
she might excite curiosity, and rousing herself, went to look for her
hostess.

CHAPTER XXI

A NEW PERSECUTOR

Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving
Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take. He
was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose
integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious
weeks. Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he
was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in
the library. Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.

"Clarke? I don't know anybody of that name," he said and then started
as he saw the word Sweetwater in small type at the bottom of the card.

Taking off his coat he went up the staircase with some eagerness. The
lamps had been lighted in the library and a good fire burned on the
hearth, near which his visitor was comfortably seated in a big leather
chair. He rose as Challoner entered, and the latter was not favourably
impressed by him. There was a hint of grossness about the fellow which
repelled the Colonel, who was of an ascetic type; besides, he was badly
and carelessly dressed, and Challoner was fastidious in such matters.
Also the man had an irritating air of assurance.

"Colonel Challoner, I presume?" he said.

Challoner bowed. "You have brought me some news of my nephew, Richard
Blake?"

This disconcerted Clarke, who had not imagined that his object would be
known and had counted upon Challoner's being surprised when he heard it
and thrown off his guard. It, however, looked as if the Colonel had
been making inquiries about Blake, and Clarke wished he could guess his
reason, because it might affect the situation.

"That is correct," he said. "I have a good deal to tell you and it may
take some time."

Signing him to be seated, Challoner rang a bell, and wine and cigars
and hothouse fruit were brought in. These he offer