She smiled very faintly, looking, straight before her. "No. It's too late now," she said. "I've missed the way. So has Burke."
"But ye'll try again—ye'll try again!" urged Kelly, eager as a child for the happy ending of a fairy-tale.
She shook her head. Her lips were quivering, but still she made them smile. "Not that way. I am afraid it's barred," she said, and with the words she touched her horse with her heel and rode quickly forward towards the town.
Donovan followed her with a rueful countenance. There were times when even he felt discouraged with the world.
CHAPTER III
THE PUNISHMENT
"Good evening, Mrs. Ranger!"
Sylvia started at the sound of a cool, detached voice as she re-entered the hotel. Two eyes, black as onyx and as expressionless, looked coldly into hers. A chill shudder ran through her. She glanced instinctively back at Kelly, who came forward instantly in his bulky, protective fashion.
"Hullo, Kieff! What are you doing here? Gambling for the diamond?"
"I?" said Kieff, with a stretching of his thin, colourless lips that was scarcely a smile. "I don't gamble for diamonds, my good Kelly. Well, Mrs. Ranger, I hope you had a pleasant journey here."