McFarlane entered slowly and shut the door behind him. His manner was serious, and his voice gravely gentle as he said: “I hope that telegram does not call you away?”
“It is from my father, asking me to meet him in Denver,” answered Norcross, with faltering breath. “He’s on his way to California. Won’t you sit down?”
The older man took a seat with quiet dignity. “Seems like a mighty fine chance, don’t it? I’ve always wanted to see the Coast. When do you plan for to pull out?”
Wayland was not deceived by the Supervisor’s casual tone; there was something ominously calm in his manner, something which expressed an almost dangerous interest in the subject.
“I haven’t decided to go at all. I’m still dazed by the suddenness of it. I didn’t know my father was planning this trip.”
“I see. Well, before you decide to go I’d like to have a little talk with you. My daughter has told me part of what happened to you on the trail. I want to know all of it. You’re young, but you’ve been out in the world, and you know what people can say about you and my girl.” His voice became level and menacing, as he added: “And I don’t intend to have her put in wrong on account of you.”
Norcross was quick to reply. “Nobody will dare accuse her of wrongdoing. She’s a noble girl. No one will dare to criticize her for what she could not prevent.”
“You don’t know the Beldens. My girl’s character will be on trial in every house in the county to-morrow. The Belden side of it will appear in the city papers. Sympathy will be with Clifford. Berrie will be made an issue by my enemies. They’ll get me through her.”
“Good Lord!” exclaimed Norcross, in sudden realization of the gravity of the case. “What beasts they are!”
“Moore’s gang will seize upon it and work it hard,” McFarlane went on, with calm insistence. “They want to bring the district forester down on me. This is a fine chance to badger me. They will make a great deal of my putting you on the roll. Our little camping trip is likely to prove a serious matter to us all.”