CHAPTER XXIX
FLORA'S ENLIGHTENMENT
It was nearly midnight when Edgar returned from the settlement and saw, to his surprise, lights still burning in the homestead. Entering the living-room, he found Grierson sitting there with Jake, and it struck him that they looked uneasy.
"What's keeping you up?" he asked.
"I thought I'd wait for the boss," said the Canadian. "He went over to
Grant's after supper, and he's not come back."
"That's curious. He said nothing about going."
"A note came by the mail. It's lying yonder."
Edgar picked it up and brought it near the lamp. The paper was good and printed with Grant's postal address, which was lengthy.
"I figured I'd go and meet him," Jake resumed, "Took the shot-gun and rode through the bluff. Didn't see anything of him, and it struck me Grant might have kept him all night, as it was getting late. He's stayed there before."
Edgar examined the note, for he was far from satisfied. George had only twice spent a night at Grant's, once when he was driving cattle, and again when it would have been risky to face the weather. The paper was undoubtedly Grant's, but Edgar could not identify the farmer's hand; the notes that had come over had been written by Flora. Then he remembered that George had bought some implements from Grant, and had filed the rancher's receipt. Edgar hurriedly found it and compared it with the letter. Then his face grew troubled, for the writing was not the same.