hinking?"

Deringham laughed a little, somewhat mirthlessly. "It occurs to me
that whatever our unknown relative may be he is a good rancher, if this
is his handiwork," he said. "Well, we shall see him very shortly."

The girl's fingers tightened a little on the switch she held. "We know
what we shall find," she said with a gesture of cold disdain. "It
would be so much easier if he had only been an educated Englishman!"

"Still," said Deringham dryly, "since we are ousted from Carnaby I do
not see that it makes any great difference."

Miss Deringham's eyes sparkled, and a spot of colour tinged her cheeks.
Her mother had been one of the Altons who had long been proud of
Carnaby, and the instincts of the landholding race were strong within
her.

"No?" she said, with a little scornful inflection. "And you could look
on while a cattle-driving boor made himself a laughing-stock at
Carnaby?"

Deringham smiled again. "I am," he said, "inclined to feel sorry for
the Canadian, but you will at least be civil to him."

Miss Deringham made a little gesture of impatience. "You do not
suppose I should be openly resentful?" she said.

Her father still appeared ironically amused. "I do not know that it
would be necessary, but I fancy the Canadian will have cause to regret
he is an Alton," he said. "No doubt it would be some solace to you to
make him realize his offences, but I scarcely think it would be
advisable."

Then they rode down into the valley, through oatfields, and between the
tall fir-stumps that rose amidst the fern, under the boughs of an
orchard, and up to the square log-house. Nobody came out to receive
them, or answered their call, and Deringham, dismounting, helped his
daughter down, and tethering the horses passed through the verandah
into the house. The long table in the big log-walled room they entered
was littered with unwashed plates. Torn over-alls and old knee-boots
lay amidst the axes and big saws in one corner, the dust was heavy
everywhere, and rifles and salmon-spears hung upon the walls. There
was no sign of taste or comfort. Everything suggested grim utility,
and the house was very still. The girl, who was tired, sat down with a
little gesture of dismay.

"This is worse and worse," she said.

Deringham, who was fond of his daughter, laid a hand upon her shoulder
reassuringly. "You can go on to Vancouver when you wish," said he.
"Sit still and rest, while I see if there is anyb