tner of mine--I told you about her--and I
can't."

She changed her seat a little. There was no need for her to affect any
interest in what he was saying. She listened to every word intently.

"Monty," he said reflectingly, "was a good old sort in a way, and I had
an idea, somehow, that his daughter would turn out something like the
man himself, and at heart Monty was all right. I didn't know who she was
or her name--Monty was always precious close, but I had the address of a
firm of lawyers who knew all about her. I called there the other day and
saw an old chap who questioned and cross-questioned me until I wasn't
sure whether I was on my head or my heels, and, after all, he told me
to call again this afternoon for her address. I told him of course that
Monty died a pauper and he'd no share of our concession to will away,
but I'd done so well that I thought I'd like to make over a trifle to
her--in fact I'd put away 10,000 pounds worth of Bekwando shares for
her. I called this afternoon, and do you know, Miss Wendermott, the
young lady declined to have anything to say to me--wouldn't let me know
who she was that I might have gone and talked this over in a friendly
way with her. Didn't want money, didn't want to hear about her father!"

"You must have been disappointed."

"I'll admit it," he replied. "I was; I'd come to think pretty well of
Monty although he was a loose fish and I'd a sort of fancy for seeing
his daughter."

She took up a screen as though to shield the fire from her face.
Would the man's eyes never cease questioning her--could it be that he
suspected? Surely that was impossible!

"Why have you never tried to find her before?" she asked.

"That's a natural question enough," he admitted. "Well, first, I only
came across a letter Monty wrote with the address of those lawyers a
few days ago, and, secondly, the Bekwando Mine and Land Company has only
just boomed, and you see that made me feel that I'd like to give a lift
up to any one belonging to poor old Monty I could find. I've a mind to
go on with the thing myself and find out somehow who this young lady
is!"

"Who were the lawyers?"

"Cuthbert and Cuthbert."

"They are most respectable people," she said. "I know Mr. Cuthbert and
their standing is very high. If Mr. Cuthbert told you that the young
lady wished to remain unknown to you, I am quite sure that you may
believe him."

"That's all right," Trent said, "but here's what puzzles me. Th