THE CAPTURE A dust-storm had been blowing practically all day, and the mining crowds of Brennerstadt were thirsty to a man.

They congregated at every bar with the red sand thick upon them, and cursed the country and the climate with much heartiness and variety.
Burke Ranger was one of the thirstiest when he reached the town after his ride through the desert--a ride upon which he had flatly refused to allow Sylvia to accompany him.

He went straight to the hotel where he had stayed for his marriage, and secured a room.
Then he went down to the dining-room, where he was instantly greeted by an old friend, Kelly, the Irish manager of a diamond mine in the neighbourhood.
Kelly was the friend of everyone.

He knew everyone's affairs and gossiped openly with a childlike frankness that few could resent.
Everyone declared he could never keep a secret, yet nearly everyone confided in him.

His goodness of heart was known to all, and he was regarded as a general arbitrator among the sometimes restless population of Brennerstadt.
His delight at seeing Burke was obvious; he hailed him with acclamations.