Part 27 (2/2)

Cariven in sooner than Foster expected, but the evidence was overwhel He did not look at her for some moments and felt ashamed of the cruelty he had had to use, but there was no avoiding this when a nuht it was rather her a herself with an effort she turned to him

”Well,” she said, ”it looks as if I'd had an escape!”

Foster felt comforted, but did not answer, and she resu What do you want?”

”I want to knohere Daly is I've no doubt he called here on his est and you have his address”

”You can't force ive it you”

”I don't know if I can or not, but don't want to use force,” Foster replied, and while he waited, hesitating to play his last card, Carmen looked up with fear in her eyes

”Jake,” she said, ”youabout this I sent the packet, without telling him, because Daly asked ether that nobody knew about”

”They had They were really backing Nicholson, who got the first recorders turned off the Fish-hawk silver claim”

”Ah!” said Foster, ”now I understand!”

He was glad to admit that her statement explained Austin's ratherhad been strongly roused by the dispute about the ly cheated out of their rights There were, erous accident in the workings that had given the victorious clai scope for his talents in the trickery and intrigue, and sahy Austin did not want his share in it known

”In a way, it's a relief to find that's all your father had to do with the fellow,” he resuive it you,” Carmen answered stubbornly

Foster hesitated The shock the girl had got had broken down her self-control He shrank fro her another blow, but could not be fastidious when his partner's safety and Alice Featherstone's happiness were at stake Besides, it would be better for Carether destroyed

”Well,” he said, ”I'ht to protect the man, and must try to convince you that he doesn't deserve it”

Then he related what he had seen in the corridor of the Carlisle hotel and how Miss Huntley had helped Daly to deceive him Carmen's face paled and then suddenly turned crimson; but she answered with a quietness he had not expected:

”You're not a liar, Jake, so I suppose this is true But you're all of you huirl is pretty What you sawI don't iiven her by anotherthe last of her self-control away Her eyes flashed and Foster thought she looked like a wild cat as she indulged her savage rage

”The cur!” she cried in a harsh voice ”He went to Banff, in British Coluo after him Do what you like with him; I don't mind!”

Foster went to the door, but as he reached it she called hi sht, Jake, but I suppose you think I don't knohy you uessed that Daly was getting after him; Featherstone has a sister, and you have fallen in love with her Well, she can have you with pleasure if she has any use for you, and before long you'll make her deadly tired You'd bore a live woman crazy in a week; you'll never be rich, because you're afraid of touching a dollar you don't earn, and you've got the asped and resu at you?”

Foster left and was glad when he shut the door Carone further than she e it her, but thought he sahere her remarks led He had been rather fond of Carmen, as she no doubt knew, before he understood her, and their friendshi+p ht have ripened until---- Well, he was sorry for her, but it looked as if she was not the only person who had had an escape

When he got outside, he went to the factory and found Hulton alone in the president's rooreeted Foster with a reserved sar

”You haven't been away very long,” he remarked ”Didn't your visit turn out as pleasant as you expected?”