She's lying. She's walking on a pavement of lies. If she told the
truth--"
"There are some truths which one cannot tell about oneself,"
interrupted Keith. "They must be discovered or buried. And I'm going
deeper into this prospecting and undertaking business this afternoon.
I've got another hunch. I think I'll have something interesting to
report before night."
Ten minutes later, on his way to the Shack, he was discussing with
himself the modus operandi of that "hunch." It had come to him in an
instant, a flash of inspiration. That afternoon he would see Miriam
Kirkstone and question her about Peter. Then he would return to
McDowell, lay stress on the importance of the brother, tell him that he
had a clew which he wanted to follow, and suggest finally a swift trip
to British Columbia. He would take Mary Josephine, lie low until his
term of service expired, and then report by letter to McDowell that he
had failed and that he had made up his mind not to reenlist but to try
his fortunes with Mary Josephine in Australia. Before McDowell received
that letter, they could be on their way into the mountains. The "hunch"
offered an opportunity for a clean getaway, and in his jubilation
Miriam Kirkstone and her affairs were important only as a means to an
end.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177