, 1925-01-14
CHAPTER XIII
MIR. Verinder Is Treated to
a Surprise.

wv ~ thiit ~ bltdhldSt III
"A mood so jubilant that he could not
long keep to himself the cause of his
exultation. Kilmeny and Farquhar
were away on a hunting trip. and none
of the ladies except Moya was yet up.
He was especially eager to tell his
news to her, because she had always
been such an open defender of the
~hishgrader. She gave him his open
ing very promptly. for she was anxious
to know what had occurred.
Has somr distant connection passed
away and left you a fortune. Mr.. Yer
inder? Or have you merely found a
new gold mire since l saw you iast?'
she asked.
by Jove, you're a good guesser,
Miss Dwight. I found a gold mine last
night. Wonder II you could think
where"
Her heart beat faster. You're so
pleased about 1t ! fancy the quartz
must have been sacked up for you
ready for the smelter," she said care
lessly.
yerinder flashed a quick look at her.
"Eh. what7 How's thatT"
Moya opened her lips to confess
what she had done. but the arrival of
a waiter delayed this. Before he had
left. Lady Farquhar entered and the
girls chance was temporarily gone.
81 was just telling Miss Dwight that
we've found another gold mine. Lady
Farquhar-and of all places In the
bed of a wagon"
I'm the bed of a wagon! How could
that be?"
Fact, pom my world High-grade
ore, too. we fancy; but well know
more about that when we hear from
the assayer."
The matron intercepted the look of
triumph-it was almost a jeer-that
the mine owner flung toward Miss
Dwight. She did not understand what
he was talking about. but she saw
that Moya did.
IF you'd tell us Just what happened
we'd be able to congratulate you more
intelligently." the latter suggested.
masking her anxiety.
"Jove, | wish | could-like to tell
you the whole story. We pulled off a
ripping surprise on one of your
Dh uCu' VI II ~ IL
sworn to secrecy. We played the
hlghgraders' game and stepped a bit
outside the law for ono Let II go
at this, that the fellow had to swallow
a big dose of his own medicine"
Moya pushed one more question
home. Nobody hurt. l suppose?"
only his feelings and his pocket
book. But I fancy n highgrader has
learned that Dobyans Verinder knows
his way about a bit. you know"
The subject filed Moya's thoughts
all day. Had Kilmeny after all failed
to take advantage of her warning? Or
had his opponents proved too shrewd
for himf From what verinder had
told her she surmlsed that Jack had
tried to reach the railroad with his ore
n been intercepted. But why had
he not changed his plans after her
talk with him? Surely he was not the
kind of man To walk like a lamb into
a trap balted for him.
Late in the afternoon Moya. dressed
In riding costume. was waiting on the
hotel porch for India and her brother
when she saw verinder coming down
the street. That he was In a sulky
III humor was apparent.
Lord Farquhar and Captain Kill
meny came back n couple of hours
ago she said by way of engaging him
In tnlk.
ANY luck?' he asked morosely and
with obvious Indifference.
"A deer apiece and a bear for the
captain"
THAT fellow Kilmeny outwltted us.
after ALL" he broke out abruptly.
We've been had. by Jovel Must have
been what Bleyer calls n plant"
81 don't understand"
'The rock we took from him was
refuse stur-not worth a dollar"
The girls eyes cleaned. your gold
mine was salted, then"
mot even sailed. He had gathered
the stun from some old dump"
II must have profted by my warn
Ing. after ALL" Moya said quietly.
The little mans eyes narrowed.
"Ehp How's thati Did you say your
warningf"
In spite OF herself she felt n sense
Of error ut having played the traitor
TO her host. Sorry. l didn't like to
do H.. but"
what 10 II you did," he asked
bluntly.
II told Mr.. Kllmcny that his plan
was discovered"
"You-told him" He subdued his
anger for the moment. "If II isn't ask
Ing too much-how did you know amy.
thing nbout III"
She felt herself flushing with shnme.
hut she answered lightly enough. "You
shouldn't discuss secrets 40 near the
brenkfast-room, Mr.. v~erinder."
Il SET. You listened and