from the hotel."

"Oh, I see--from the other way. I was waiting in the trail below. You
saw who was in the carriage?"

"Beaton--yes," quietly. "He expects some friends, and wishes me to
meet them--Eastern people, you know."

Her indifference ruffled his temper, aroused his suspicion of her
purpose.

"You sent for me; there is some explanation, no doubt?"

The lady smiled, lifting her eyes to his face.

"There is," she answered. "A perfectly satisfactory one, I believe;
but this place is too prominent, as I have a rather long story to tell.
Beaton and his friends will be returning soon."

"There is a rock seat below, just beyond the clump of willows, quite
out of sight from the road," he suggested. "Perhaps you would go with
me there?"

"What trail is that?"

"It leads to mines up the cañon, my own included, but is not greatly
travelled; the main trail is farther east."

She walked to the edge of the bridge, and permitted him to assist her
down the steep bank. There was something of reserve about her manner,