Both knew that a time of prosperity was approaching for Somasco, and had decided more or less correctly that it would lead to affluence the man who had control of the valley; but while Alton had striven with arduous toil to bring about this consummation, Hallam of the Tyee was waiting while those he meant to plunder worked for him.

It was also plain that there was no room for two leaders with divergent aspirations, and the rancher had seen sufficient of his opponent's dealings to recognize that he would not scruple about any measures which promised to rid him of a rival.

Therefore it became him to be careful, and once more his fingers fell upon the rifle.
Alton had reached the limit of his surmises, and refilling his pipe again abandoned himself to more pleasant dreams.

He heard the whistle of the locomotive ringing among the pines, and the hum of the great mills that would grind out wealth for Somasco.

Then while the pungent smoke curled about him visions materialized out of its filmy wreaths, and he saw the lake at Carnaby shining amidst the woodlands of peaceful England, and the old grey hall.