He was turning from the empty house, whose reproachful solitude frightened him, when he was confronted on the threshold by the figure of Fairfax Munroe.
"I came to the stage office to meet you," he said; "you must have left the stage at the summit." "I did," said Carr angrily.

"I was anxious to meet my daughters quickly, to know the reason of their foolish alarm, and to know also who had been frightening them.

Where are they ?" "They are safe in the old cabin beyond, that has been put up ready to receive them again," said Fairfax quietly.
"But what is the meaning of this?
Why are they not here ?" demanded Carr, hiding his agitation in a burst of querulous rage.
"Do YOU ask, Mr.Carr ?" said Fairfax sadly.

"Did you expect them to remain here until the sheriff took possession?
No one knows better than yourself that the money advanced you on the deeds of this homestead has never been repaid." Carr staggered, but recovered himself with feeble violence.
"Since you know so much of my affairs, how do you know that this claim will ever be pressed for payment?
How do you know it is not the advance of a--a--friend ?" "Because I have seen the woman who advanced it," said Fairfax hopelessly.

"She was here to look at the property before your daughters came." "Well ?" said Carr nervously.
"Well! You force me to tell you something I should like to forget.