The girl glanced at him curiously.  “There was,” she said.  “I remember it lay shining before us between the woods.  It was very beautiful, quieter and calmer than our lakes in Canada.”

A slight flush crept through the bronze in Alton’s face, which grew a trifle grim, and a light into his eyes.  “There is a lake at Somasco where you can see the white peaks lie shining, and the big Wapiti come down to drink,” he said.  “There are cedars and redwoods about it which except for a few in California, haven’t their equal in the world, but there’s nothing about that lake or valley that’s quiet or calm.  It’s wild and great and grand.  No.  They’ve nothing of that kind in the old country.  Are not Abana and Pharfar better than all the waters of Israel?”

“Apposite!” said Townshead.  “You apparently read the Scriptures?”

“Sometimes,” said Alton simply.  “They get hold of me.  Those old fellows went right down to the bed rock of human nature back there in Palestine, and it strikes me there’s no great difference in that between now and then.”

“When,” said Townshead smiling, “I was a King in Babylon.”

“No,” said Alton reflectively.  “You’re a little late on time.  The Christian slave don’t quite fit in.”

Townshead glanced at him sharply, and said nothing, for the rancher had once or twice already somewhat astonished him.

“Well,” said Alton, “tell me, Miss Nellie, were the lilies where the ashes hung over the lake?  I want to know all about Carnaby.”

The girl seemed somewhat thoughtful, and a trifle astonished, but she made the best use of her memory, and Alton listened gravely.  “Yes,” he said.  “I seem to see it.  The rose garden on the south side, the big lawn, and the lake.  There’s a little stream on the opposite side of it that comes down through the fern from the big beech wood.”

“But,” said the girl, “how could you know that?”

“I think I must have dreamt it,” said Alton gravely.  “Or perhaps my father told me.  He used to talk of Carnaby, and I feel I know it well.”

The girl stared at him in her wonder.  “But what is Carnaby to you?” she said.

Alton rose up, and stood still a moment, somewhat grim in face.  “It should have been my father’s, and now when I don’t know that I want it, I think it’s mine,” he said.  “Anyway, I’m kind of tired, and I think I’ll turn in.  Excuse me.”

He went out, and Nellie Townshead glanced at his comrade.  “Do you know what he means?” she said.

Seaforth smiled and shook his head.  “I’ve never seen Harry taken that way before,” he said.  “Still, we’ll hope he’ll be better to-morrow.  He has been through a good deal to-day.”

Miss Townshead did not appear contented, but she changed the topic.  “Then what did you mean when you spoke about the dress packet?”

“I’ll tell you,” said Seaforth, “if you don’t tell Harry.  Well, when the packet slipped down to the edge of the big drop I’m not sure that the price of two ranches would have induced most men to follow it.”