cigar-case, glanced at it a moment, and then tossed
it across the wharf. "What right have you and I to be going back to
dinner when that girl hasn't enough to eat?" he said. "You know what
those cigars cost me. Lord, what selfish brutes we are! Now stop
right here and tell me what we are going to do!"

Seaforth made a gesture of helplessness. "The difficulty is that one
can't do anything," he said. "You see, we can't attempt the hamper
trick too frequently, and I scarcely think Miss Townshead would care to
be indebted to either of us in any other fashion."

"Well," said Alton simply, "there must be a way somewhere, and I'm
going to find it."

"Then," said Seaforth, with a trace of bitterness, "for the sake of
everybody's peace of mind I hope you will. You seem especially
compassionate towards Miss Townshead."

Alton glanced at him a moment, and then laughed a little. "I suppose
you can't help being foolish, Charley, but you should know I've no time
to think of anything beyond what I have to do just now," he said. "The
biggest contract I've ever taken hold of is waiting for me."

"I am," said Seaforth dryly, "glad to hear you say so, even though your
recent conduct would make it somewhat difficult for most people to
believe you."

Alton glanced at him very gravely. "I don't like those jokes," he
said. "You'll get more sense as you grow up, Charley."

CHAPTER XIII

THE SOMASCO CONSOLIDATED

Alton left Vancouver by the Quebec express next day, found horses
waiting at the little station, and only waiting while fresh ones were
saddled at a lonely ranch, took the trail again before the first faint
light crept out of the east. He also spoke little with Seaforth during
the journey, and stared at the latter, who drew rein when the weary
horses plodded, steaming and bespattered all over, into the settlement.

"What are you stopping for?" he said.

Seaforth glanced at the wisp of blue smoke which hung about the pines
behind Horton's hotel. "It's rather more than twelve hours since I've
had a meal," he said. "Don't you ever get tired or hungry, Harry?"

Alton laughed. "Oh, yes; sometimes I do, but not usually when I'm
busy. Anyway, if the beasts hold out we'll be getting breakfast at
Somasco in two hours or so."

Seaforth groaned inwardly, but, knowing the futility of argument, shook
his bridle and rode on, lurching a little in his saddle as the tired
horse stumbled into mudholes and, brushed