Still, this train of reasoning had led Alice Deringham far enough, and she sought distraction from it in her embroidery, which during the next hour progressed but indifferently.
It was a day or two later when Alton drew Deringham into his room when he came in bemired all over from the settlement, and the financier noticed that the table and most of the floor was littered with books, survey plans, and miscellaneous papers.
"I'll have to leave this place for a little," he said.

"I'm going up to find the silver, but the ranch and all that's in it is at your service just as long as it pleases you.

If all goes as I expect it, I shall be back in a month or so, and would be glad to find you still at Somasco.

Then, if you are ready, Charley and I will go back to the old country with you.

A lawyer in Vancouver has written to an English accountant for me, and with him to help us we can fix up all about Carnaby." Now Deringham had up to that moment still retained a hope that he could arrive at an understanding with Alton respecting Carnaby on the spot.
As it was, unless he could gain time, exposure and even worse things stared him in the face.