Marchurst, leaving the dead ashes cold and grey in the dark
fireplace, went to his writing table, and falling on his knees he
passed the rest of the night in prayer.
Meanwhile, the man who was the primary cause of all this trouble was
working in the office of the Pactolus claim with a light heart and
cool head. Gaston had really managed to get Kitty away in a very
clever manner, inasmuch as he never appeared publicly to be
concerned in it, but directed the whole business secretly. He had
given Kitty sufficient money to keep her for some months in
Melbourne, as he was in doubt when he could leave the Pactolus
without being suspected of being concerned in her disappearance. He
also told her what day to leave, and all that day stayed at the mine
working at his accounts, and afterwards spent the evening very
pleasantly with Madame Midas. Next day McIntosh went into Ballarat
on business, and on returning from the city, where he had heard all
about it--rumour, of course, magnifying the whole affair greatly--he
saw Vandeloup come out of the office, and drew up in the trap beside
the young man.
'Aha, Monsieur,' said Vandeloup, gaily, rolling a cigarette in his
slender fingers, and shooting a keen glance at Archie; 'you have had
a pleasant day.'
'Maybe yes, maybe no,' returned McIntosh, cautiously, fumbling in
the bag; 'there's naething muckle in the toun, but--deil tack the
bag,' he continued, tetchily shaking it.
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