The stranger laughed. "Surely _he_ needn't to have taken so much
trouble. Smile back at me, Ruby, for I played a risky stroke to get
you, and shall play a risky game for many days yet."

He balanced himself on the arm of her chair and drew her head towards
him.

"Tell me," he said, speaking low in her ear, "if you doubt I love you.
Do you know of any other man who, knowing you exactly as you are, would
wish to marry you?"

She shook her head. It was impossible to lie to this man.

"Or of another who would put himself completely into your power, as I am
about to do? Listen; there is no lead mine at all on Sheba farm."

Ruby drew back her face and stared at him. "I assure you it's a fact."

"But the ore you uncovered--"

"--Was a hoax. I lied about it."

"The stuff you melted in this very fire, last night--wasn't that lead?"

"Of course it was. I stole it myself from the top of the church tower."

"Why?"

"To gain a footing here."