Part 22 (1/2)

The mention of insufficiency was in itself significant, for though he had spoken no word in Canada that could afford the slightest hint of the aspirations that had animated him Grace was quite aware of them. There are not many women who do not know when a man is in love with them.

”But there are only two of you, and it will take you ever so long,” she said.

”Still, we will get it done,” and there was a curious brightness in Ingleby's eyes.

Grace noticed the hollowness of his quiet face and the leanness of his hard, scarred hands, and her heart grew soft towards him. The sign of the strain was plain upon him, though the breaking point had not yet been reached, and it was for her that he had done so much.

”And you expect the effort will be warranted?” she said.

Ingleby turned and looked at her gravely.

”Men get rich placer mining now and then, and it might happen to me,” he said. ”In fact, I almost think from what one or two of the old prospectors tell me that I am going to be successful. I don't know if you will understand me, but after a life like mine the probability of being so is a little overwhelming.”

There was a tension in his voice which had its effect upon the girl, and she sat silent for a moment or two until the major's voice broke sharply in on them.

”Check! I fancied at one time the game was in your hands, but there's seldom much use in antic.i.p.ating when there are points you can't foresee,” he said.

Grace glanced at Ingleby, who smiled.

”I'm afraid Major Coulthurst is right. One can only wait,” he said.

Just then there was a tapping at the door, and Ingleby moved abruptly when Esmond came in. The officer, however, showed no sign of astonishment when he saw who was there, but smiled as he looked at Grace, and turned to the major.

”I have just come across for a few minutes, and will not disturb you, sir,” he said. ”I don't suppose you have any objections to my looking over your register?”

”No,” said Coulthurst. ”It's yonder. Has anything gone wrong?”

Esmond's eyes rested for just a moment on Sewell. ”Only two or three of the men talking rather wildly, sir. Somebody has been putting notions into their heads. It occurred to me I might as well make sure they all had certificates.”

”Quite right!” said Coulthurst appreciatively. ”I have decided objections to their doing me out of my money.”

Esmond took down the register, which was not remarkably well kept, and had some little trouble in tracing out the information he desired. At last, however, he read, ”Thomas Leger, Free miner's certificate, Five dollars; also Five dollars, Walter Ingleby.”

He made a careful note of the date, and then turned over the pages systematically. Later on he found, ”Walter Ingleby, Five dollars,” but there was no further entry for Leger. Then he put the book back, and the major glanced at him.

”Check!” he said. ”I almost think I've got you, Mr. Sewell. You found what you wanted, Reggie?”

”Yes, sir,” said Esmond, whose eyes now rested on Grace and Ingleby. ”I fancy I have.”

He crossed the room in a leisurely fas.h.i.+on, and Ingleby rose when Grace turned to him.

”You have no doubt come across Mr. Ingleby in the course of your duties, Reggie, but I should like to present him formally as one of my friends,”

she said.

Esmond made Ingleby, who responded as briefly, a little curt inclination.

”I have,” he said, ”certainly met Mr. Ingleby at least twice already.”

”I believe I remember one occasion,” said Grace, with a little twinkle in her eyes. She had naturally not heard of the second encounter. ”I'm not sure you were in quite as good a temper as usual that night. Still, you see, circ.u.mstances are very different now.”

Esmond laughed, but there was a dryness in his tone which Ingleby afterwards remembered.