“What precaution, for instance?” scoffed Croyden.
Macloud shrugged his shoulders, helplessly.
“I wish I knew,” he said.
XVI
THE MARABOU MUFF
The next two weeks passed uneventfully. The thieves did not manifest themselves, and the Government authorities did nothing to suggest that they had been informed of the Parmenter treasure.
Macloud had developed an increasing fondness for Miss Carrington’s society, which she, on her part, seemed to accept with placid equanimity. They rode, they drove, they walked, they sailed when the weather warranted—and the weather had recovered from its fit of the blues, and was lazy and warm and languid. In short, they did everything which is commonly supposed to denote a growing fondness for each other.
Croyden had been paid promptly for the Virginia Development Company bonds, and was once more on “comfortable street,” as he expressed it. But he spoke no word of returning to Northumberland. On the contrary, he settled down to enjoy the life of the village, social and otherwise. He was nice to all the girls, but showed a marked preference for Miss Carrington; which, however, did not trouble his friend, in the least.