Brandon of the Engineers

"You don't like Santa Brigida?" he suggested. "Well, if things go as I

hope, I may soon be able to sell out my business interests and leave the

country. Would that please you?"

Clare's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. Now there was a prospect of its

ending, she could allow herself to admit how repugnant the life she led

had grown. She had hated the gambling, and although this had stopped, the

mystery and hidden intrigue that followed it were worse. If her father

gave it all up, they need no longer be outcasts, and she could live as an

English girl ought to do. Besides, it would be easier to forget Dick

Brandon when she went away.

"Would we go back to England?" she asked eagerly.

"I hardly think that would be possible," Kenwardine replied. "We might,

however, fix upon one of the quieter cities near the Atlantic coast of

America. I know two or three that are not too big and are rather

old-fashioned, with something of the charm of the Colonial days, where I

think you might find friends that would suit your fastidious taste."

Clare tried to look content. Of late, she had longed for the peaceful,

well-ordered life of the English country towns, but it seemed there was

some reason they could not go home.

"Any place would be better than Santa Brigida," she said. "But I must

leave you to your letters. I am going out to buy some things."

The sun was hot when she left the patio, but there was a strip of shade

on one side of the street and she kept close to the wall, until turning a

corner, she entered a blaze of light. The glare from the pavement and

white houses was dazzling and she stopped awkwardly, just in time to

avoid collision with a man. He stood still and she looked down as she saw

that it was Dick and noted the satisfaction in his eyes.

"I'm afraid I wasn't keeping a very good lookout," he said.

"You seemed to be in a hurry," Clare rejoined, half hoping he would go

on; but as he did not, she resumed: "However, you generally give one the

impression of having something important to do."

Dick laughed. "That's wrong just now, because I'm killing time. I've an

hour to wait before the launch is ready to go to sea."

"Then you are sailing somewhere along the coast," said Clare, who moved

forward, and Dick taking her permission for granted, turned and walked by

her side.

"Yes. I left Jake at the mole, putting provisions on board."

"It looks as if you would be away some time," Clare remarked carelessly.

Dick thought she was not interested and felt relieved. It had been

announced at the irrigation camp that he was going to Coronal to engage

workmen, in order that the report might reach Kenwardine. He had now an

opportunity of sending the latter misleading news, but he could not make

use of Clare in this way.