Part 41 (1/2)
The others did not speak for a moment or two, and then Mrs. Hastings said:
”Most of us don't keep much in the bank, and that expedition must have cost Harry several thousand dollars. How would Gregory get hold of the money before harvest?”
”Edmonds, who holds his mortgage, would let him have it,” Sproatly explained.
”But wouldn't he be afraid of Gregory not being able to pay, if the market went against him?”
Sproatly looked thoughtful. ”The arrangement Wyllard made with Gregory would, perhaps, give Edmonds a claim upon the Range if Gregory borrowed any money in his name. I almost think that's what the money-lender is scheming for. The man's cunning enough for anything. I don't like him.”
Hastings stood up with an air of resolution. ”Yes,” he said, ”I'm afraid you're quite correct. Anyway, I'll drive over in a day or two, and have a talk with Gregory.”
After that they separated. Hastings strolled away to join Dampier.
Sproatly and Winifred walked out on to the prairie. When they had left the house Sproatly turned to his companion.
”Why did you insist upon my telling them what I did?” he asked.
”Oh!” answered Winifred, ”I had several reasons. For one thing, when I first came out feeling very forlorn and friendless, it was Wyllard who sent me to the elevator, and they really treat me very decently.”
”They?” repeated Sproatly with resentment in his face. ”If you mean Hamilton, it seems to me that he treats you with an excess of decency that there's no occasion for.”
Winifred laughed. ”In any case, he doesn't drive me out here every two or three weeks, though”--she glanced at her companion provokingly--”he once or twice suggested that he would like to.”
”I suppose you pointed out his presumption?”
”No,” confessed Winifred with an air of reflection, ”I didn't go quite so far as that. After all, the man is my employer; I had to handle him tactfully.”
”He won't be your employer a week after the implement people open their new depot,” returned Sproatly resolutely. ”But we're getting away from the subject. Have you any more reasons for concerning yourself about what Gregory does with Wyllard's property?”
”I've one; I suppose you don't know who he has left at least a part of it to?”
Sproatly started as an idea crept into his mind.
”I wonder if you're right,” he said.
”I feel reasonably sure of it.” Winifred smiled. ”In fact, that's partly why I don't want Gregory to throw any more of Wyllard's money away. You have done all I expect from you.”
”Then Hastings is to go on with the thing?”
”Hastings,” Winifred a.s.sured him, ”will fail--just as you would. This is a matter which requires to be handled delicately--and effectively.”
”Then who is going to undertake it?”
Winifred laughed. ”Oh,” she answered, ”a woman, naturally. I'm going back by and by to have a word or two with Mrs. Hastings.”
CHAPTER XXVI
THE RESCUE