Part 36 (2/2)
”Sure,” said Wandle, pointing toward the east. ”But as it will be dark before you get there, you had better let me put you on the trail. You'll have to cross these sandhills, and as the snow's blown off in places, it's rough traveling.”
Gertrude thanked him, and she was glad that he led the team as they crossed the broken belt, picking out the smoothest course among the clumps of birches and low steep ridges. At times he had difficulty in urging the horses up a bank of frozen sand, but after a while he looked around at her.
”You're Miss Jernyngham?” he said. ”Guess you must have had a mighty trying time?”
His tone was respectful and, though he was a stranger, Gertrude could not resent the allusion to her troubles. She had generally found the western ranchers blunt.
”Yes,” she replied; ”my father and I have had much to bear.”
Wandle made a gesture of sympathy.
”The mystery's the worst--it's easier to face a trouble one knows all about. What have the police been doing lately?”
”I don't know; they have told us nothing for some time.”
”You find them kind of disappointing?”
”I believe my father does.”
The man said nothing for a while, and then looked around again.
”Well,” he ventured, ”it strikes me there's one man Curtis ought to keep his eye on.”
Gertrude started and Wandle studied her face. He was observant and quick to draw a conclusion, and he read something that surprised him in her eyes. It was, he thought, a deeper feeling than suspicion; Miss Jernyngham knew whom he meant and had some reason for being very bitter against Prescott.
”Why do you say that?” she asked.
”All I've heard looks black against him,” he answered with an air of reflection. ”What does your father think?”
”He is perplexed and distressed,” said Gertrude coldly, deciding that the man must not be allowed to go too far.
Wandle guessed her thoughts, but he was not to be daunted.
”That's natural. He must be anxious to learn the truth, and the police haven't found out much yet--looks as if they were getting tired.”
Gertrude hesitated, while he led the horses round a clump of birches. It was painful and undignified to discuss the matter with a stranger, but his manner was suggestive; she felt that he had something to tell.
Perhaps it was her duty to encourage him, and her suspicions of Prescott drove her on. Wandle waited, knowing that she would speak.
”Is there anything that might be useful they have neglected doing?”
”It's hard to say. I'll allow that they've worked through the muskeg and the bluffs pretty thoroughly; but do you know if they've made a good search round Prescott's house?”
”No,” said Gertrude eagerly; ”I can't tell you that. But why should they look there?”
Wandle considered. It would be awkward if she mentioned that she had had a hint from him, but he did not think this would happen. There was a greater probability of her acting as if the idea had originated with her.
He let the team stop and looked at her impressively.
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