Part 45 (1/2)

Andrew smiled.

”That's obvious.”

Elsie was silent for a moment, while a faint touch of color crept into her face. His explanation about the boat had not deceived her, and she had noted his searching glance when he first came in. Marshall must have been hiding near by when she was talking to Staffer, and have given Andrew a hint. It was for her sake he had hurried back. She knew that he had hurried, because she had tactfully led Whitney into making some admissions about their speed. She hardly thought she had been in actual danger; but she knew that she was quite safe now, and her heart went out to the man who had come to help. If only she could confide in him! But it was impossible. His very loyalty to her made her feel more strongly that she could not betray her uncle and bring disgrace upon her mother.

”Marshall gave me a message for you,” she said. ”I'll deliver it as nearly as I can.”

She watched him as she repeated the fisherman's words. Andrew was a bad actor and she was not misled by his clumsy indifference. It looked as if he knew that the man with the red mustache had dealings with Williamson and Staffer.

”Thank you,” he said. ”I'm afraid we'll have to go west again, before long.”

Elsie put down her knitting.

”You'll be careful, Andrew. I want you to keep out of danger.”

His heart beat fast, for he saw that she was anxious about him. Elsie knew something and would be sorry if he got hurt; but he must not alarm her or show where his suspicions led.

”Of course I will,” he answered cheerfully. ”As a matter of fact, I'm not running much risk.”

”I'd rather you didn't think so; it leads to carelessness. You won't be rash?”

”Certainly not. Tell me why you are anxious.”

Elsie hesitated, and the color in her face grew deeper.

”Somehow, I seem to feel that trouble is hanging over us, and”--her voice dropped to a caress--”I want to have you near.”

Andrew caught his breath.

”Elsie,” Mrs. Woodhouse interrupted, ”I think Mr. Whitney would like to have some music.”

CHAPTER XXVI

TIGHTENING THE MESHES

Andrew spent a week at Appleyard, without noticing anything that caused him uneasiness; and then he got a letter from Rankine asking him to meet him in the pool behind the Ross, near Kirkcudbright. He did not want to go; but he thought that he could get back in three or four days; and Staffer was to be away from home. Besides, d.i.c.k would be there to take care of Elsie.

Sailing at high-tide, with a keen east wind blowing down the Firth, he found water across the sands to the mouth of the Nith, where he left the boat and drove to Dumfries. Here, he and Whitney called upon Mackellar and were taken into his private office.

”I have some news that may surprise ye,” the banker said. ”d.i.c.k's princ.i.p.al creditor is his step-father. Here's a list o' his obligations, though I'm no' sure it's complete.”

”Ah!” exclaimed Andrew, ”I don't know whether I'm surprised or not, but I begin to see a light.” He frowned, as he noted the figures. ”It won't be an easy matter to pay this off; the estate will feel the strain for some time. But how has the young idiot got rid of the money?”

”Betting.”

”But he doesn't go to many races, and turf accountants wouldn't deal with a boy under age.”

”Verra true,” Mackellar agreed dryly. ”d.i.c.k would get somebody else to put the money on for him--or at least that's no doubt what he thought he did. Williamson, or one o' his friends, would be willing.”

”Why do you say it's what d.i.c.k thought?”