"
He turned away, abruptly it struck Elliot, and climbed down the natural
stairway up which the young man had come. Presently he rejoined those
above. Macdonald looked at Elliot with a new respect.
"You're in luck, my friend, that we're not carrying you from the foot
of the cliff," he said dryly. "I wouldn't cross that rock wall for a
hundred thousand dollars in cold cash."
"Nor I again," admitted Gordon with a laugh. "But we had either to
homestead that plateau or vacate it. I preferred the latter."
Miss O'Neill's deep eyes looked at him. She was about to speak, then
changed her mind.
CHAPTER VI
SHEBA SINGS--AND TWO MEN LISTEN
Elliot did not see Miss O'Neill next morning until she appeared in the
dining-room for breakfast. He timed himself to get through so as to join
her when she left. They strolled out to the deck together.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"After I fell asleep. It took me a long time. I kept seeing you on the
traverse."
He came abruptly to what was on his mind. "I have an apology to make,
Miss O'Neill. If I made light of your danger yesterday, it was because I
was afraid you might break down. I had to seem unsympathetic rather than
risk that.
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