Thus he bows himself out, this strange Sheriff Bob. For once at least he has made a serious blunder, and almost precipitated a most unseemly disturbance. No wonder he is wrathy over the blunder of the Denver clerk who could so carelessly send a photograph without examining it, and almost cause the arrest of his own employer.
After he has gone the little party in the library draw together again. John is good-natured, as he can well afford to be. Conscious of his innocence, he has at no time felt anything beyond mere annoyance.
As for Aleck, he has a feeling of positive relief that amounts to delight. The heaviness of spirits is gone. Not only is John what he has professed to be, but the load that has weighed the old speculator down is gone. Dorothy smiles through her tears, Dorothy is happy, and this raises the mercury of Aleck’s thermometer several degrees.
Samson Cereal is quickly becoming his old self, though perhaps an inquiring eye might discover that something has occurred to upset the usually stern and self-possessed king of the wheat pit.
The dramatic scene has shifted the setting of the stage, and the actors too appear to have a different look. Instead of tears and woe there are smiles and rejoicing. No one misses Colonel Bob, since his mission was to uphold the majesty of the law, and they can put him away from their minds without trouble.
Again they speak of mingling with the guests, as the absence of all belonging to the household may be noticed and commented upon, but it seems as though some peculiar fortune persists in interfering with these plans.
They hear voices outside the door, and Aleck finds his attention riveted when someone mentions his name.
“I must see Aleck Craig! It is very important.”
“Wait,” says another voice.
Then there is a knock at the door—not a timid rap, but one that means business. Aleck is closer than any of the others, so he takes upon himself to open it.