It is merely surmised by others. To
Maxime Valois the bloody occurrence has borne fruits of importance.
As soon as some business is arranged, the shadowy barrier of this
tragedy divides the two men. Though slight, it is yet such that
Valois decides to go to Stockton. The San Joaquin valley offers
him a field. Land matters give ample scope to his talents. The
investment in lands can be better arranged from there. The Creole
is glad to cast his lot in the new community. By sympathy, many
Southerners crowd in. They gain control of the beautiful prairies
from which the herds of elk and antelope are disappearing.
Philip Hardin's safety is assured. With no open breach of friendship
between them, Maxime still feels estranged. He visits the scene
of his future residence. His belongings follow him. It was an
intuition following a tacit understanding. Man instinctively shuns
the murderer.
Maxime never asked of the future of the vanished queen of the El
Dorado. In his visits to San Francisco he finds that few cross
Philip Hardin's threshold socially. Even these are never bid to
come again. Is there a hidden queen in the house on the hill? Rumor
says so.
Rising in power, Philip Hardin steadily moves forward.
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