packing each piece where it best fitted deliberately but swiftly; then
he passed through the room into an adjoining one, and returned attired
picturesquely in Jack Townshead's overalls, which were distinctly too
small for him. By this time supper was ready, and Seaforth, also
dressed in borrowed garments, seated at the table, but though Miss
Townshead had not lost the stamp of refinement she brought with her
from England. and her father was dignified and precise, Alton showed
no embarrassment. He also listened patiently to Townshead's views on
ranching and the mining prospects of that region, though he was already
looked up to as a master of the former industry, and contrived
meanwhile that the girl made a good meal instead of attending to him.
When it was finished he unfolded a carefully wrapped up packet, and
took an envelope out of it, though Miss Townshead noticed that several
others he laid down were crumpled and wet.

"Here is a letter for you," he said.

He glanced at the girl questioningly as she took it up, and fingered
one of the envelopes upon the table. "Excuse?" he said.

Nellie Townshead smiled and nodded, and then, knowing that the
communication handed her was of no importance, watched him covertly as
he tore open a long blue envelope. There were documents inside it, and
the man's fingers shook a little as he spread out one of them. Then
bewildered astonishment crept into his eyes, and was replaced by a
flash of something very like anger, after which his face grew suddenly
impassive, and he thrust the documents all together into his pocket.

"Get up, Charley, and bring the tray along," he said.