"Quite right!" said Coulthurst appreciatively. "I have decided objections to their doing me out of my money."
Esmond took down the register, which was not remarkably well kept, and had some little trouble in tracing out the information he desired. At last, however, he read, "Thomas Leger, Free miner's certificate, Five dollars; also Five dollars, Walter Ingleby."
He made a careful note of the date, and then turned over the pages systematically. Later on he found, "Walter Ingleby, Five dollars," but there was no further entry for Leger. Then he put the book back, and the major glanced at him.
"Check!" he said. "I almost think I've got you, Mr. Sewell. You found what you wanted, Reggie?"
"Yes, sir," said Esmond, whose eyes now rested on Grace and Ingleby. "I fancy I have."
He crossed the room in a leisurely fashion, and Ingleby rose when Grace turned to him.
"You have no doubt come across Mr. Ingleby in the course of your duties, Reggie, but I should like to present him formally as one of my friends," she said.
Esmond made Ingleby, who responded as briefly, a little curt inclination.
"I have," he said, "certainly met Mr. Ingleby at least twice already."
"I believe I remember one occasion," said Grace, with a little twinkle in her eyes. She had naturally not heard of the second encounter. "I'm not sure you were in quite as good a temper as usual that night. Still, you see, circumstances are very different now."