from a somewhat stronger motive
than just to put you out of the running. As you say, he could have done
that without taking all that trouble. He's treated you damn badly, I
admit, but it's just possible he couldn't help himself, and anyway I
don't think he's hurt you seriously--except in the place where you keep
your pride."

"You think I didn't love her!" broke in Bunny, moving restlessly under
his hand.

Jake's eyes had the glimmer of a smile as he met the boy's hot look. "I
think you don't love her now anyway, Bunny," he said.

"You're quite right," said Bunny shortly. "I don't. I never want to see
her again--now I know what she is."

"You don't know," said Jake. "She has always been an unknown quantity to
you. That's why I've always felt doubtful about you. Guess you never
loved her quite enough, boy. That was your trouble."

"Didn't love her!" ejaculated Bunny.

Jake nodded. "Or you'd have understood her better--stood by her better."

"I'd have loved her fast enough if she'd loved me," protested Bunny. "But
that scoundrel always came first with her. I never had a chance."

"Oh yes, you had." Again the faint smile showed for an instant in the
elder man's eyes. "Not much of one, perhaps, but you had a chance. If
she'd been quite sure of you, she wouldn't have run away."

"Wouldn't she? Then she can't be very sure of Saltash either." Bunny
spoke with a certain gloomy triumph.

Jake blew forth a cloud of smoke and watched it rise thoughtfully. "I'm
waiting for Saltash," he said. "I've got him on test."

"You believe in him?" questioned Bunny contemptuously.

Jake's eyes remained fixed. "I believe," he said slowly, "that there
comes a turning-point in every man's life--whatever he's been--when he
either makes good or throws in his hand altogether. I've been through it
myself, and I know what it means. It's Saltash's turn now."

"Oh, rot, Jake!" Bunny turned on him with the old boyish admiration
shining in his eyes. "You--why, you've made good every time--just about
as often as Charlie has done the other thing."

"No." Jake spoke without elation. "I did make good, but I went through
hell first, and I very nearly failed. It may be the same with him. If
so--well, poor devil, he has my sympathy."

"You can't be sorry for a hound like Saltash!" remonstrated Bunny.

Jake turned squarely and faced him. "Well, there you're wrong, Bunny," he
said. "I reckon I'm sorrier for him than I am for you. You've got a cl