Nell's face grew white and a startled expression came into her eyes as Douglas related what the men of the place had done that night. Her concern was not for Ben, but for those responsible for his punishment. She felt sure that Simon Stubbles would take some speedy method of revenge, and that the first object of his attack would be the man sitting near her father. She wished to warn him of his danger. But how could she speak and not reveal her keen interest in his welfare?
"Have you had any supper?" she asked so suddenly that Douglas looked somewhat surprised.
"No, I have not had time to think of eating," he replied.
"Then you must have something right away," and Nell rose to her feet, glad of an opportunity to be moving about in order to hide her excitement.
Douglas begged her not to mind as he could get a bite when he went home. But Nell would not listen to his protests, and in a short time she brought in a tray containing a fresh, boiled egg, several slices of excellent home-made bread, cake and tea.
This act of thoughtfulness touched Douglas deeply, and the look that he gave Nell brought the colour back to her cheeks and made her very happy. As he ate, he told about his visit to the city, and especially about the evening he had spent with the Gartons. He said nothing, however, about what the lawyer had told him concerning Simon Stubbles' financial difficulties; neither did he say anything about the recovery of the Big Chief mining concern.
It was about ten o'clock when Douglas bade the professor good-night.
"I am anxious to hear how you are getting on with your book," he told him. "But we can have a long talk when I come again."
Nell accompanied Douglas to the front door, and for a while they stood there looking out upon the beautiful night. Then Douglas told her about Simon Stubbles' financial embarrassment, and how he had appealed to Garton for assistance. By the light of the moon he could see Nell's face which, so he thought, was more beautiful than ever, owing to the serious expression depicted upon it. He could not divine the nature of her thoughts, but when he mentioned the good news of the Big Chief mine, she gave a cry of joy, and her face brightened.
"I can hardly believe it is true," and she clasped her hands before her. "Are you sure there has been no mistake?"