First he sent a telegram to himself at Caranay, signing it William Smith. Then he went to the drug store telephone, and called up Caranay.

"Hello! What number, please?" came a far, sweet voice; and Marque trembled: "No number. I want to speak to Mr. Marque—Mr. John Marque."

"He isn't here."

"Are you sure?"

"Perfectly. I saw him driving one of Mr. Willett's wagons across the track this morning."

"Oh, that's too bad. Could I—might I—ask a little information of you?"

"Certainly."

"What sort of a fellow is this John Marque? He doesn't amount to much I understand."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I might want to employ him, but I don't believe he is the sort of man to trust——"