The call of adventure was in his blood, and he sat there all enthusiastic, telling me what he intended doing and asking my advice--although he would n't have followed it if I had given it.

Back home was a baby and the woman he loved, and out West was sudden wealth, waiting for the right man to come along and find it.

Gad!" White-haired old Beamish chuckled with the memory of it.

"He almost made me throw over the law business that morning and go out adventuring with him! Then four years later," the tone changed suddenly, "he came back." "What then ?" Fairchild was on the edge of his chair.

But Beamish only spread his hands.
"Truthfully, Boy, I don't know.