a prospect of--"

"Go on!" cried Lisle, dropping his pipe.

"I can't see," said Crestwick. "You might stir the fire."

Lisle threw on some fresh wood and poked the fire savagely with a branch,
and the lad continued, reading with difficulty while the pungent smoke
obscured the light.

"It seems that she saw Gladwyne and his mother and Millicent together in
town, and she afterward spent a week with Flo Marple at somebody's house.
Flo told her that it looks as if the long-deferred arrangement was to be
brought about at last." He laid down the letter. "If that means she's to
marry Gladwyne, it ought to be prevented!"

They looked at each other curiously, and Lisle, struggling to command
himself, noticed the lad's strained expression.

"Why?" he asked with significant shortness.

Crestwick seemed on the verge of some vehement outbreak and Lisle saw
that it was with an effort he refrained.

"Oh, well," he answered, "the man's not half good enough. He's a
dangerous rotter."

"Dangerous?"

"Yes," returned Crestwick dryly; "I think that describes it."

There was an impressive silence, while each wondered how far he might
have betrayed himself. Then Lisle spoke.

"Read the rest of the letter. See if Bella says anything further."

"No announcement made," Crestwick informed him a little later. "All the
same, Flo's satisfied that the engagement will be made known before
long." He looked up at Lisle with uncertainty and anger in his face. "It
almost makes me forget Bella's other news. What can be done?"

"What do you want to do?"

"Don't fence!" said Crestwick. "I'm not smart at it. Don't you know a
reason why Miss Gladwyne shouldn't marry the fellow?"

"Yes. It has nothing to do with you."

"Perhaps not," replied Crestwick. "I can only say that the match ought to
be broken off. It isn't to be contemplated!"

"Well," Lisle responded with forced quietness, "if it's any relief to
you, I'll write to Nasmyth the first chance I get, asking what he's
heard. Now we'll drop the subject. Is there anything else of general
interest in your letter?"

"Bella says her wedding won't be until the early summer and she's
thinking of making Carew bring her out to Banff or Glacier--he came out
shooting or climbing once before. Then she'll endeavor to look us up."

He lighted his pipe and they sat in silence for a while. Then Crestwick
rose and bringing a blanket from the tent wrapped it about him and lay
down in the lee of the b