ll you need to meet your
present obligations. Leave the blood money where it is. I'll put it in
an envelope and some time late to-night I'll drop it, unaddressed,
into the bank letter-box. They'll never guess what has happened, and,
if Maguire recovers and they get their money back, no one--no one but
you, Graham--will be any the worse for it.'

"This was one time that Brenchfield allowed himself to be advised and
led.

"'Here,--take the back way,' I went on, 'the way you came, through the
timber. Walk till you get to Newtown, then drop on to a Vancouver car
and in. Then up the main line by to-night's train, and lie quiet.'

"Brenchfield stopped at the door and offered me his hand.

"'You won't hold a grudge against me for this?' he asked.

"'Never a grudge!' I said.

"'You won't let it interfere with our plans for the future, Phil?'

"'No,--for you'll have learned your lesson.'

"'And we're still partners?'

"I wasn't quite so sure about that part of it, but a look in
Brenchfield's face made me relent.

"'Partners,--yes, Graham,--if you still wish it,' I said.

"'Wish it,--sure I wish it, Phil.'

"'Right-o.'

"'And whatever happens between you and me, in five years' time we'll
pool everything we have, as we promised, and make a fair divide?'

"'Yes, yes!--all right! For heaven's sake get away quickly. You're
wasting precious time, and time with you is everything. One can never
tell.'

"'When will you come up to the Okanagan?' he asked next.

"'Just as soon as this blows over and I get squared away. Maybe in
three weeks' time--not later than a month.'

"We shook hands and I watched him as he hurried away across the
fields."

Phil stopped and looked into space.

"Go on, go on, man," exclaimed Jim, his face tense.

"After that, the first thing that caught my eye was Brenchfield's note
on the table. I had the key to it in my mind, so it was easy enough to
decipher. You have it Jim, word for word:--

"'Dear Phil,

I have gone back to Vernock. I have borrowed the money I needed
and I fear I have hurt the banker in the borrowing. Forgive me,
but there was no other way out. Whatever you hear, keep silent.
Join me as soon as you can. Burn this.

Graham Brenchfield.'"

"Pretty damning stuff, Jim, even if it is in cipher. Well, the last I
remember of that note was crumpling it up till it was a mere nothing
at all. I must have tossed it away u