"You can rely on me to play the straight game, Molyneux," he answered. "My duty up here is to look after the interests of the country and community—nothing else. I've no quarrel with any man who keeps the law."
The Lieutenant-Governor returned before they could say more.
"I hope you don't think I was indiscreet, Adair?" Lancaster queried anxiously, when the visitor had taken his departure. "I know all about Molyneux's efforts to knife you in the past; but you see——"
"Well, we had to meet some time," Hector soothed him. "So why not under your roof? Where better?"
"Exactly," said Lancaster, much relieved. "And he can't hurt you here, Adair—while I'm around."
"Oh, that's all over now," Hector replied. "We've just cried quits."
"Splendid!" exclaimed the Lieutenant-Governor.
III
At three o'clock in the morning, when Hector was able for the first time to spare a thought to Welland, he pondered awhile.
His enemy's arrival in Black Elk Territory was a serious thing. Though Welland's attempt to crush him through the Whitewash Bill affair had failed at the eleventh hour, he knew very well that the Commissioner had sent him to the gold area not merely in order to promote him, but mainly to safeguard him against any further attacks. Hector's successful handling of Whitewash Bill had made Welland a laughing-stock and the Commissioner had feared that the result would mean further and greater danger for Hector. He had never dreamt that Mr. Steven Molyneux, M.P., would follow Hector to such a remote point. And Mr. Molyneux—well, here he was!