Grace held me back at arm's
length.

"You look thin and haggard, Ralph," she said. "Something has happened. Now
begin, and tell me clearly all about it."

I did not know how to commence, and I proceeded awkwardly to temporize,
though I really meant what I said.

"It was the fault of that stupid Chinaman, Grace, and I am sorry. It was
so courageous of you to come to me before them all."

She looked at me with a curious mingling of pride and humor. "Am I, then,
so little as to fear a few inquisitive women? And do you fancy that I
loved you for your prepossessing exterior? Now, sir, before you offend me
further, at once begin."

I placed a lounge for her, and leaned over it as I said, "It is about
Geoffrey. We went up prospecting, and found his party in difficulties.
Geoffrey is--"

"Not dead!" she said with a shudder, clutching the arms of the chair. And
I laid my hand soothingly on one of hers as I answered:

"No, but he is hurt, and he is longing to see you. He is in Vancouver now.
Listen, I will tell you about it."

"Poor Geoffrey!" she said when I had finished, while a tear glistened on
her long lashes. "Geoffrey, my old playmate! I can hardly believe it.
Ralph, there are very few like him. He is in all things a true-hearted
gentleman. He stood between us; but how many others would have played
their part so chivalrously when he had the power through my father to
force me to his will. And--may I be forgiven for it--more than once I had
hard thoughts of him. And now he is dying! Take me at once to see him."

Shortly afterward a voice reached us through an open door. It was
Calvert's, saying, "I want you to understand, sir, that if we had not
struck Lorimer's camp we should have starved to death. I saw the accident
from a distance, and again it's my firm opinion that he ran the utmost
risk to extricate Ormond. If the latter were my own brother I should
consider myself indebted to him for life."

"I am glad to hear it," answered an unseen person, whom it was easy to
recognize as the footsteps drew nearer. "Still, one must take precautions;
and, as I observed, in the circumstances some people might have
suspicions. I may say that, indirectly, Lorimer knew that he would profit
by my partner's death."

I started, and would have risen, burning with wrath, but Grace's clasp
held me fast. The next moment her father and Calvert entered the room. The
former glanced toward us in cold surprise; and then, in a hard, rin