“The Edmonton man I don’t know very well,” answered Colonel Howell. “He is a kind of a long range Englishman and I think his name is Chandler. The other men are Malcolm Ewen and Donald Miller. Ewen and Miller are good boys, and I know they’ll give me a square deal, whether Chandler sticks or not.”
In spite of the general conversation, Norman fancied that Mr. Zept’s annoyance did not grow less, and it was not hard to conclude that this was due to Paul’s absence. Finally both Norman and Roy excused themselves to visit the observation car. They really wanted to find Paul. He was not in the rear car, which fact the young men learned after describing their companion to the colored porter, who smiled significantly when he announced that Paul had left the car some time before.
The young men then went through the train and at last found the Count in jovial companionship with Moosetooth and La Biche. It was plain that both the Indians had been drinking, but there was no liquor now in sight, and the three were enjoying their pipes and their cigarettes. The Count had discovered that the Indians knew more French than English, and he was in high conversation with them. The boy himself was even more jovial when he greeted Norman and Roy with hearty slaps on the back.
For some moments the visitors attempted to join in the conversation between the Indians and Paul, but the conditions were such that the young aviators soon lost interest and they invited young Zept to return to the stateroom for a game of cards.
“Not now,” protested the Count, dropping into a seat opposite the Indians again. “My friends here are great Frenchmen. They have been telling me about the Barren Lands. Besides,” and he frowned a little, “I didn’t know the governor was coming. I don’t think I ought to see him just now. He ain’t much for this sort of thing.”
“What sort of thing?” asked Norman somewhat brusquely.
“You know,” answered the Count. “I was just telling the boys good-bye. I’ll be all right in a little while, and then I’ll come back.”
“You aren’t fooling anyone,” broke in the quick-tongued Roy, “and I think Colonel Howell wants to see you.”
Count Zept’s laugh ended and he at once arose and followed the young men back to the stateroom. His reappearance seemed to ease his father’s mind, and when the three young men and Colonel Howell began a game of auction the incident seemed almost forgotten.
At six o’clock, the superintendent of the dining car came to announce to Colonel Howell that his special table was ready, and the party went in to dinner.