"Confound it, Conniston, you've got a mind
for seeking out the trivialities, and little things are sometimes the
most embarrassing."
"And sometimes most important," added Keith. "For instance, it strikes
me as mighty important that we should know where Peter Kirkstone is and
why he is not here fighting for his sister's salvation. Where is he?"
"I don't know. He disappeared from town a month ago. Miriam says he is
somewhere in British Columbia looking over some old mining properties.
She doesn't know just where."
"And you believe her?"
The eyes of the two men met. There was no longer excuse for
equivocation. Both understood.
McDowell smiled in recognition of the fact. "No. I think, Conniston,
that she is the most wonderful little liar that lives. And the
beautiful part of it is, she is lying for a purpose. Imagine Peter
Kirkstone, who isn't worth the powder to blow him to Hades, interested
in old mines or anything else that promises industry or production! And
the most inconceivable thing about the whole mess is that Miriam
worships that fat and worthless pig of a brother. I've tried to find
him in British Columbia. Failed, of course. Another proof that this
affair between Miriam and Shan Tung isn't a voluntary liaison on her
part.
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