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254 It was Barcus who advanced the suggestion which was adopted, more through lack of a better than for any appeal intrinsic in the proposition.

"When we broke down, up there," he ventured, "I saw a cañon branching off from this one about a quarter of a mile over yonder. We might stroll round that way and see what its natural attractions may be, if any. It's sure a mighty poor sort of a cañon that doesn't lead anywhere—and anyway we can't be worse off than we are, and"

"Sufficient!" Mr. Law interrupted. "Providing Rose and Judith feel equal to the effort, I'm for your suggestion."

"We must," said Judith slowly.

With a sigh, Rose nodded her agreement.

Crooking a deferential arm, Barcus offered it to Judith.

"Everything is lovely in the formal garden," he insisted; "so sweetly romantic. Are you game for an idle saunter, just to while the idle hours away?"

The woman found spirit enough for a smile as she tucked her hand gratefully beneath his arm.

"You're the cheerfulest soul I ever met," she said demurely. "What I'm going to do without you when, if ever, we get out of this awful business, goodness only knows."

"Let's talk of something else," he suggested hastily.