第24章

You left the construction camp and came here to settle down." All the while Cameron was speaking he was shaking his friend's hand with both of his."By Jove, but you're fit!" he continued, running his eye over the slight but athletic figure of his friend.

"Fit! Never fitter, not even in the old days when I used to pass the pigskin to you out of the scrimmage.But you? You're hardly up to the mark." The keen gray eyes searched Cameron's face.

"What's up with you?"

"Oh, nothing.A little extra work and a little worry, but I'll tell you later.""Well, what are you on to now?" inquired Martin.

"Ordering our supper.We've just come in from a hundred and fifty miles' drive.""Supper? Your wife here too? Glory! It's up to me, old boy!

Look here, Connolly," he turned to the proprietor behind the bar, "a bang-up supper for three.All the season's delicacies and all the courses in order.As you love me, Connolly, do us your prettiest.And soon, awfully soon.A hundred and fifty miles, remember.Now, then, how's my old nurse?" he continued, turning back to Cameron."She was my nurse, remember, till you came and stole her.""She was, eh? Ask her," laughed Cameron."But she will be glad to see you.Where's MY nurse, then, my little nurse, who saw me through a fever and a broken leg?""Oh, she's up in the mountains still, in the construction camp.Iproposed to bring her down here with me, but there was a riot.Ibarely escaped.If ever she gets out from that camp it will be when they are all asleep or when she is in a box car.""Come along, then," cried Cameron."I have much to tell you, and my wife will be glad to see you.My sister comes in by No.1, do you know?""Your sister? By No.1? You don't say! Why, I never thought your sister--by No.1, eh?""Yes, by No.1."

"Say, Doc," said the hotel man, breaking into the conversation.

"There's a bunch of 'em comin' in, ain't there? Who's the lady you was expectin' yourself on No.1?""Lady?" said Cameron."What's this, Martin?""Me? Wake up, Connolly, you're walking in your sleep," violently signaling to the hotel man.

"Oh, it won't do, Martin," said Cameron with grave concern."You may as well own up.Who is it? Come.By Jove! What? A blush?

And on that asbestos cheek? Something here, sure enough.""Oh, rot, Cameron! Connolly is a well-known somnambulist.""Sure thing!" said Connolly."Is it catchin,' for I guess you had the same thing last night?""Connolly, you've gone batty! You need a nurse.""A nurse? Maybe so.Maybe so.But I guess you've got to the point where you need a preacher.Ha! ha! Got you that time, Doc!"laughed the hotel man, winking at Cameron.

"Oh, let it out, Martin.You'll feel better afterward.Who is it?""Cameron, so help me! Connolly is an infernal ass.He's batty, Itell you.I'm treating him for it right now.""All right," said Cameron, "never mind.I shall run up and tell my wife you are here.Wait for me," he cried, as he ran up the stairs.

"Connolly, you fool! I'll knock your wooden block off!" said the doctor in a fury.

"But, Doc, you did say--"

"Oh, confound you! Shut up! It was--"

"But you did say--"

"Will you shut up?"

"Certain, sure I'll shut up.But you said--""Look here!" broke in the doctor impatiently."He'll be down in a minute.I don't want him to know.""Aw, Doc, cut it out! He ain't no Lady Clara.""Connolly, close that trap of yours and listen to me.This is serious.He'll be back in a jiffy.It's the same lady as he is going to meet.""Same lady? But she's his sister."

"Yes, of course, you idiot! She's his sister.And now you've queered me with him and he will think--""Aw, Doc, let me be.I'll straighten that tangle out.""Sh-h! Here he is.Not a word, on your life!""Aw, get out!" replied Connolly with generous enthusiasm."I don't leave no pard of mine in a hole.Say," he cried, turning to Cameron, "about that lady.Ha! ha!""Shut your ugly mug!" said the doctor savagely.

"It's the same lady.Ha! ha! Good joke, eh, Sergeant?""Same lady?" echoed Cameron.

"Sure, same lady."

"What does he mean, Martin?"

"The man's drunk, Cameron.He got a permit last week and he hasn't been sober for a day since.""Ha! ha!" laughed Connolly again."Wish I had a chance.""But the lady?" said Cameron, looking at his friend suspiciously.

"And these blushes?"

"Oh, well, hang it!" said Martin."I suppose I might as well tell you.I found out that your sister was to be in on this train, and in case you should not turn up I told Connolly here to have a room ready.""Oh," said Cameron, with his eyes upon his friend's face."You found out? And how did you find out that Moira was coming?""Well," said Martin, his face growing hotter with every word of explanation, "you have a wife and we have a mutual friend in our little nurse, and that's how I learned.And so I thought I'd be on hand anyway.You remember I met your sister up at your Highland home with the unpronounceable name.""Ah, yes! Cuagh Oir.Dear old spot!" said Cameron reminiscently.

"Moira will be heart broken every day when she sees the Big Horn Ranch, I'm afraid.But here comes Mandy."The meeting between the doctor and Cameron's wife was like that between old comrades in arms, as indeed they had been through many a hard fight with disease, accident and death during the construction days along the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Rocky Mountains.

A jolly hour they had together at supper, exchanging news and retailing the latest jokes.And then Cameron told his friend the story of old Copperhead and of the task laid upon him by Superintendent Strong.Martin listened in grave silence till the tale was done, then said with quiet gravity:

"Cameron, this is a serious business.Why! It's--it's terrible.""Yes," replied Mandy quickly, "but you can see that he must do it.

We have quite settled that.You see there are the women and children.""And is there no one else? Surely--"

"No, there is no one else quite so fit to do it," said Mandy.

"By Jove, you're a wonder!" cried Martin, his face lighting up with sudden enthusiasm.

"Not much of a wonder," she replied, a quick tremor in her voice.