"And now—what I really came here for," she went on, quite at home in her strange environment and attire, "was to state my business. I'm a woman reporter and I've come up here for the Montreal Comet to write up the Black Elk country."
"You're plucky. This is a dangerous part of the world."
"Oh, I love excitement and danger." This was obviously true. "Besides, I——"
"Excuse me—but—" some far depth in Hector's memory had been sounded—"didn't you come up to Regina with the Press Association in——?"
"Yes!" cried Nita Oswald delightedly. "I told Mr. Northcote you'd remember me—and my bustle!"
A stout-hearted, unfailing friend, a credit to journalism, this energetic woman was to prove herself.
III
That was a busy and momentous day for Hector. The door had barely closed on Nita Oswald when he found himself in conference with the Lieutenant-Governor.
"Have you heard anything"—Lancaster was very thoughtful—"that would lead you to suspect our administration of—well, graft, Adair?"
"Graft, sir?"