Winifred broke in. “Yes,” she asserted, “he has lost a great deal. Hamilton knows almost everything that’s going on, and I got it out of him. He’s a friend of Wyllard’s, and seems vexed with Gregory.”
The others did not speak for a moment or two, and then Mrs. Hastings said:
“Most of us don’t keep much in the bank, and that expedition must have cost Harry several thousand dollars. How would Gregory get hold of the money before harvest?”
“Edmonds, who holds his mortgage, would let him have it,” Sproatly explained.
“But wouldn’t he be afraid of Gregory not being able to pay, if the market went against him?”
Sproatly looked thoughtful. “The arrangement Wyllard made with Gregory would, perhaps, give Edmonds a claim upon the Range if Gregory borrowed any money in his name. I almost think that’s what the money-lender is scheming for. The man’s cunning enough for anything. I don’t like him.”
Hastings stood up with an air of resolution. “Yes,” he said, “I’m afraid you’re quite correct. Anyway, I’ll drive over in a day or two, and have a talk with Gregory.”
After that they separated. Hastings strolled away to join Dampier.
Sproatly and Winifred walked out on to the prairie. When they had left the house Sproatly turned to his companion.
“Why did you insist upon my telling them what I did?” he asked.