For a moment Clarence himself was staggered by it.
"You see," said the young girl, with a kindling face, "the day before he came back from Robles, ther' were some queer men hangin' round his cabin, but as they were the same kind that went off with him the day the Sisters' title was confirmed, we thought nothing of it.

But when he came back from you he seemed worried and anxious, and wasn't a bit like himself.

We thought perhaps he'd got into some trouble there, or been disappointed.

He hadn't, had he, Mr.Brant ?" continued Phoebe, with an appealing look.
"By no means," said Clarence warmly.

"On the contrary, he was able to do his friends good service there, and was successful in what he attempted.
Mrs.Peyton was very grateful.