"What have you to say to me?"
"I believe you have expressed your desire to leave England and earn your
living in a new country. Is that so?"
The brothers' eyes met. Dick saw that the loaded pistol had been
discovered, and read no love, no pity, only condemnation in the hard
gaze. Austin was pronouncing sentence.
"Yes," he replied sullenly.
"I happen," said Austin, "to know of an excellent opportunity. Lord
Overton, whom you have met, wants a man to take charge of his timber
forests in Vancouver. The salary is L700 a year. I wired to Lord Overton
asking for the appointment on your behalf. This is his answer."
Dick took the telegram and read it with muddled head. Austin had lost no
time.
"You see, it fits in admirably. You can start by the night mail. Your
sudden departure needs no other explanation to the household than this
telegram. I hope you understand."
"I understand," said Dick bitterly. A sudden memory of words that
Viviette had used the day before occurred to him. "I understand. This is
to get me out of the way.
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