“Oh, yes; he's well enough in that way.”

“I supposed so. That is why I said to you, over the wire, not to trouble him with my request.”

“You mean that I am not to say anything about your offer to buy the hunter?”

“No. If I make up my mind that I want the horse I'll write him—perhaps.”

Lingering still, she let one hand fall on the banisters, turning back toward Plank, who was following:

“I understood you to mean that—that Mr. Siward's financial affairs were anything but satisfactory?”—the sweet, trailing, upward inflection making it a question.

“When did I say that?” demanded Plank.

“Once—a month ago.”

“I didn't,” said Plank bluntly.

“Oh, I had inferred it, then, from something you said, or something you were silent about. Is that it?”