“I didn’t,” declared Sproatly with a decision which carried conviction with it. “I certainly saw them at the hotel, but how could I imagine that they had anything of the kind in view?”
He broke off for a moment, and waved his hand. “After all,” he added, “what right have you to think it now?”
Mrs. Hastings laughed somewhat harshly. “Unfortunately, I have my eyes, but I’ll admit that there’s a certain obligation on me to make quite certain before going any further. That’s why I want you to ascertain where he checked his baggage to.”
“I’m afraid that’s more than I’m willing to undertake. Do you consider it advisable to set the station agent wondering about the thing? Besides, once or twice in my career appearances have been rather badly against me, and I’m not altogether convinced yet.”
Mrs. Hastings let the matter drop, and they went back rather silently to the hotel. As soon as supper was past, Mrs. Hastings bade Sproatly get their wagon out and she drove away with Agatha. During the long, cold journey she said very little to the girl, and they had no opportunity of private conversation when they reached the homestead where they were to spend the night. Agatha hated herself for the thought in her mind, but everything seemed to warrant it, and it would not be driven out. She had heard what Gregory had called Sally at the hotel, and the fact that he must have bought his ticket and checked his baggage earlier in the afternoon when there was nobody about, so that he could run down with Sally at the last moment, evidently in order to escape observation, was very significant.
The two women went home next day, and on the following morning a man, who was driving in to Lander’s, brought Mrs. Hastings a note from Sproatly. It was very brief, and ran:
“Gregory arrived same night by Pacific train. It is evident he must have got off at the next station down the line.”
Mrs. Hastings showed it to her husband.
“I’m afraid we have been too hasty. What am I to do with this?” she said.
Hastings smiled. “Since you ask my advice, I’d put it into the stove.”