Part 43 (1/2)

”That,” admitted Hawtrey, ”was in my mind.”

”Then,” remarked his companion, ”it's a pity.”

Hawtrey leaned upon the table with hesitation in his face and att.i.tude.

He had neither the courage nor the steadfastness to make a gambler, and every fluctuation of the market swayed him to and fro. He had a good deal of wheat to deliver by and by, and he could still secure a very desirable margin if he bought in against his sales now. Unfortunately, however, he had once or twice lost heavily in an unexpected rally, and he greatly desired to recoup himself. Then, he had decided, nothing could tempt him to take part in another deal.

”If I hold on and the market stiffens further I'll be awkwardly fixed,”

he declared. ”Wyllard made a will, and in a few months I'll have to hand everything over to his executors. There would naturally be unpleasantness over a serious shortage.”

Edmonds smiled. He had handled his man cleverly, and had now a reasonably secure hold upon him and the Range, but he was far from satisfied. If Hawtrey made a further loss he would in all probability become irretrievably involved.

”Then,” he pointed out, ”there's every reason why you should try to get straight.”

Hawtrey admitted it. ”Of course,” he said. ”You feel sure I could do it by holding on?”

Edmonds seldom answered such a question. It was apt to lead to unpleasantness afterwards.

”Well,” he said, ”Beeman, and Oliphant, and Barstow are operating for a fall. One would fancy that you were safe in doing what they do. When men of their weight sell forward figures go down.”

This was correct, as far as it went, but Edmonds was quite aware that the gentlemen referred to usually played a very deep and obscure game.

He had also reasons for believing that they were doing it now. It was, however, evident that Hawtrey's hesitation was vanis.h.i.+ng.

”It's a big hazard, but I feel greatly tempted to hang on,” he said.

Edmonds, who disregarded his remark, sat smoking quietly. Since he was tolerably certain as to what the result would be, he felt that it was now desirable to let Hawtrey decide for himself, in which case it would be impossible to reproach him afterwards. Wheat, it seemed very probable, would fall still further when the harvest began, but he had reasons for believing that the market would rally first. In that case Hawtrey, who had sold forward largely, would fall altogether into his hands, and he looked forward with very pleasurable antic.i.p.ation to enforcing his claim upon the Range. In the meanwhile he was un.o.btrusively watching Hawtrey's face, and it had become evident that in another moment or two his victim would adopt the course suggested, when there was a rattle of wheels outside. Edmonds, who saw a broncho team and a a wagon appear from behind the barn, realized that he must decide the matter without delay.

”As I want to reach Lander's before it's dark I'll have to get on,” he said carelessly. ”If you'll give me a letter to the broker, I'll send it to him.”

Next moment a clear voice rose somewhere outside.

”I guess you needn't worry,” it said, ”I'll go right in.”

Then Sally walked into the room.

Edmonds was disconcerted, but bowed, and then sat down again, quietly determined to wait, for he discovered that there was hostility in the swift glance she flashed at him.

”That's quite a smart team you were driving, Miss Creighton,” he remarked.

Sally, who disregarded this, turned to Hawtrey.

”What's he doing here?” she asked.

”He came over on a little matter of business,” answered Hawtrey.

”You have been selling wheat again?”

Hawtrey looked embarra.s.sed, for her manner was not conciliatory. ”Well,”