Rhea did not return to Broonah till nearly sundown. He came up the home paddock at a brisk canter, and swung out of the saddle at the gate, as though he were full of animation and enthusiasm. For all that, Borrn observed that he looked pale and weary; but Rhea passed it off with a harsh laugh, saying that he'd had a long ride, inspecting the ancestral estates, but otherwise he had enjoyed himself. He praised Rod Bunker as a capable manager, remarking that he would leave him in charge for the present. He found that he would have to make a trip to Brisbane before he took up his residence there. He had made all arrangements with Bunker, and would go direct from Broonah in a day or two.
That plausible account established him on his old footing for the rest of his brief stay, although he noticed that Borrn was more reserved than formerly, and he got an inkling of the reason when Julius Cobblestone thrust the recovered watch in front of him.
Sign in to unlock this title
Sign in to continue reading, it's free! As an unregistered user you can only read a little bit.
