They've had clandesent interviews, and when I taxed him with it he ez much ez allowed it was so, and reckoned he must leave, so ez he could run her off, you know— kinder stampede her with ' honour.' Them's his very words." " But that is all past : ho is gone, and Miss Nott does not even know where he is !" said Renshaw, with a laugh, which, however, concealed a vague uneasiness. Mr Nottroseand opened the door carefully. When he had satisfied himself that no one was listening, he came back and said in a whisper: "That's a lie. Not ez Rosey means to lie, but its a trick he's put upon that poor child. That man, Mr Renshaw, has been hangin' round the Pontiac ever since. I've seen him twice with my own eyes pass the cabin windys. More than that, I've heard strange noises at night, and seen Btrange faces in the alley over yer. | And only jist now ez I kern in I ketched sight of a furrin lookin' Chinee nigger slink ing round the back door of what uster be Ferres'sloft." 'Did he look like a sailor?" asked Ren shaw quickly with a return of his former suspicion. " Not more than I do," said Nott glanc ing complacently at his pea jacket. "He had rings on his yeers like a wench." Mr Renshaw started. But, seeing Nott's eyes fixed on him, he said, lightly. But what have these Btrange faces and this strange man — probably only a Lascar sailor out of a job— to do with Ferrieres ?" " Friends o' his— feller furrin citizen — Spies on Rosey, don't you see 1 But they can't play the old man, Mr Renehaw. I've told Rosey she must make a visit to the old ranch. Once I've got her ther safe, I reckon I kin manage Mr Ferrers and any number of Chinee niggers he kin bring along." Renshaw remained for a few moments lost in thought. Then rising suddenly, he grasped Mr Nott's hand with a frank smile but determined eyes. " I haven't got the hang of this, Mr Nott — the whole thing gets me ! I only know that I've changed my mind. I'm not going to Sacramento. 