THE LURE OF THE NORTH

by

HAROLD BINDLOSS

Author of _THE GIRL FROM KELLER'S_, _CARMEN'S MESSENGER_, _BRANDON OFTHE ENGINEERS_, _JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER_, _PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN_, _WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE_, ETC. 

Published in England under the Title _Agatha's Fortune_

New YorkFrederick A. Stokes CompanyPublishers

1918

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

ALTON OF SOMASCOLORIMER OF THE NORTHWESTTHURSTON OF ORCHARD VALLEYWINSTON OF THE PRAIRIETHE GOLD TRAILSYDNEY CARTERET, RANCHERA PRAIRIE COURTSHIPVANE OF THE TIMBERLANDSTHE LONG PORTAGERANCHING FOR SYLVIAPRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWANTHE DUST OF CONFLICTTHE GREATER POWERMASTERS OF THE WHEATLANDSDELILAH OF THE SNOWSBY RIGHT OF PURCHASETHE CATTLE BARON'S DAUGHTERTHRICE ARMEDFOR JACINTATHE INTRIGUERSTHE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARDFOR THE ALLISON HONORTHE SECRET OF THE REEFHARDING OF ALLENWOODTHE COAST OF ADVENTUREJOHNSTONE OF THE BORDERBRANDON OF THE ENGINEERSCARMEN'S MESSENGERTHE GIRL FROM KELLER'STHE LURE OF THE NORTH

[Illustration: "SHE SAW A LOOK OF FEAR IN HIS STARING EYES. "]

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I THIRLWELL MAKES HIS CHOICE

 II STRANGE'S STORY

 III AGATHA MAKES A PROMISE

 IV STRANGE'S PARTNER

 V A NIGHT'S WATCH

 VI FATHER LUCIEN'S ADVENTURE

 VII AGATHA'S RESOLVE

 VIII THE BURGLAR

 IX AGATHA ASKS ADVICE

 X THIRLWELL GETS A LETTER

 XI STORMONT FINDS A CLUE

 XII ON THE TRAIL

 XIII THE PROSPECTORS' RETURN

 XIV STORMONT DISOWNS A DEBT

 XV THE GRAND RAPID

 XVI THE PIT-PROP

 XVII DRUMMOND OFFERS HELP

 XVIII THE HAND IN THE WATER

 XIX A LOST OPPORTUNITY

 XX THE PLUNGE

 XXI THE WILDERNESS

 XXII BEFORE THE WIND

 XXIII STRANGE'S LEGACY

 XXIV AGATHA RESUMES HER JOURNEY

 XXV THE BROKEN RANGE

 XXVI THE LODE

 XXVII THIRLWELL'S DULLNESS

XXVIII STORMONT TRIES A BRIBE

 XXIX GEORGE REPROACHES HIMSELF

 XXX A CHANGE OF LUCK

 XXXI THIRLWELL'S REWARD

CHAPTER I

THIRLWELL MAKES HIS CHOICE

Dinner was nearly over at the big red hotel that stands high above thecity of Quebec, and Thirlwell, sitting at one of the tables, abstractedly glanced about. The spacious room was filled with skilfullytempered light that glimmered on colored glasses and sparkled on silver;pillars and cornices were decorated with artistic taste. A murmur ofcareless talk rose from the groups of fashionably dressed women andprosperous men, and he heard a girl's soft laugh. 

All this struck a note of refined luxury that was strange to Thirlwell, who had spent some years in the wilds, where the small, frost-bittenpines roll across the rocks and muskegs of North Ontario. One lived hardup there, enduring arctic cold, and the heat of the short summer, whenbloodthirsty mosquitoes swarm; and ran daunting risks on the lonelyprospecting trail. Now it looked as if chance had offered him an easierlot; he could apparently choose between the privations of the wildernessand civilized comfort, but while he grappled with a certain longing heknew this was not so. He had adopted the pioneers' Spartan code; onemust stand by one's bargain, and do the thing one had undertaken. 

For a few moments he was silent, lost in rather gloomy thought, with afrown on his brown face, and Mrs. Allott, his English relative, studiedhim across the table. On the whole, Jim Thirlwell had improved inCanada, and she thought he would be welcomed if he returned to England. She had been his mother's friend, and during the week or two they hadnow spent together, had decided that if he proved amenable she wouldhelp him to make a career. Indeed, it was largely on Thirlwell's accountshe had accompanied her husband on his American tour. 

Jim had certain advantages. He was not clever, but his remarks weresometimes smarter than he knew. Then he had a quiet voice and mannerthat impressed one, even when one differed from him, as one often did. He was not handsome, and his face was rather thin, but his features werewell-defined, and she liked his firm mouth and steady look. His figurewas good and marked by a touch of athletic grace. Then she was, on thewhole, satisfied with the way he chose and wore his clothes. His motherhad held a leading place in the exclusive society of a quiet cathedraltown, until her husband lost his small fortune. Mrs. Allott understoodthat something might have been saved had Tom Thirlwell been lessscrupulous; but Tom had unconventional views about money, and Jim waslike his father in many ways. Mrs. Allott, having done her best toenlighten him, hoped he would now see where his advantage lay. 

"You are not very talkative, Jim, " she said. 

Thirlwell looked up with an apologetic smile, but his eyes rested onthe girl by Mrs. Allott's side. Evelyn Grant was young and attractive, but there was something tame about her beauty that harmonized with hercharacter. Thirlwell had not always recognized this; indeed, when theywere younger, he had indulged a romantic tenderness for the girl. This, however, was long since, and the renewal of their friendship in Canadaleft him cold. Evelyn was gracious, and he sometimes thought she had notforgotten his youthful admiration, but she did not feel things much, andhe suspected that she had acquiesced in Mrs. Allott's rather obviousplot because she was too indolent to object. For all that, he imaginedthat if he took a bold line she would not repulse him, and by comparisonwith his poverty Evelyn was rich. Then he banished the thought with anunconscious frown. 

"Oh, well, I suppose it's our last evening together, and one feelsmelancholy about that, " he said. 

"But I thought you were coming to New York with us, " Mrs. Allottobjected. 

Evelyn was talking animatedly to a young American, but looked round withlanguid carelessness. 

"Are you really not coming, Jim?" she asked. 

Then, without waiting for Thirlwell's answer, she resumed her talk, andMrs. Allott wondered whether the girl had not overdone her part. Afterall, she must have known why she had been brought. 

"I think not, " said Thirlwell. "Very sorry, of course, but there's onlya week of my holiday left and I have some business in South Ontario. Then I must go back to the bush. "

"That's ridiculous, Jim, " Mrs. Allott rejoined. "You know you needn'tgo back to the bush at all. Besides, we hoped you had decided to come toEngland. " She paused and touched Evelyn. "Do you hear what he says?Can't you persuade him to be sensible?"

Evelyn turned and looked at Thirlwell with a careless smile. She wasvery composed, but Mrs. Allott thought she noted a trace of heightenedcolor. 

"Oh, no; it would be useless for me to try. Nobody could persuade Jim todo what he does not want. "

"Aren't you taking something for granted?" asked Allott, who sat withthe others, but had been silent. "Jim hasn't admitted that he doesn'twant to come. "

The girl gave Thirlwell a tranquil glance in which there was a hint ofmockery. 

"He has only a week left, and I imagine knows better than we do whatwill please him best, " she replied, and turned to her companion. 

"What have you to say to that?" Allott asked Thirlwell, with a twinkle. 

"It looks as if Evelyn knew my character--I suppose I am obstinate. ButI don't think she has stated the case correctly. It isn't that I don'twant to come. Unfortunately, I can't. "

The other guests were leaving the tables and Mrs. Allott, getting up, gave her husband a meaning glance. 

"Then I must let Stephen talk to you. You may listen to his arguments; Ihave exhausted mine. "

"You could not expect me to succeed where you have failed, " Allottremarked, and touched Thirlwell as Mrs. Allott and Evelyn went away. "Shall we go upstairs for a smoke?"

A lift took them up, and Allott lighted a cigarette when they entered anunoccupied room. The evening was hot, and Thirlwell sat on the ledge ofthe open window and looked out upon the river across the climbing town. Church spires, the steep roofs of old houses, and the flat tops ofmodern blocks, rose in the moonlight through a thin gray haze of smoke. Lower down, a track of glittering silver ran across to the shadowy Levisridge, along the crest of which were scattered twinkling lights. Presently Allott, who was well preserved and rather fat, turned toThirlwell. 

"I hope you won't be rash, Jim, and throw away the best chance you mayever get. "

"You mean Sir James's offer of the post with the big engineering firm?"

"I mean that and other things, " said Allott dryly. "Perhaps I havespoken plainly enough; you are not a fool!"

"Thanks! I don't claim much wisdom and I am sometimes rash. But perhapswe had better stick to Sir James's offer. Why does he make it now, afterstanding off when I needed help some years since?"

"We'll take the offer first, " Allott agreed. "Sir James had not beenknighted and pulled off the big business combine then. He hadn't as muchinfluence, and perhaps wanted to see what you could do. I expect he wassurprised when you got and kept the mining job in Canada. Anyhow, you'rehis namesake and nearest relative. My wife, you know, comes next. "

"He left my father alone in his trouble, " said Thirlwell grimly. "Iwonder why they gave him his title. There were things done when thecombine was made the shareholders didn't know, besides injustices tothe staffs. You see, I had friends--"

"What has that to do with you? He offers you a good post, with a hintabout favors to come. "

"The post is good, " Thirlwell agreed, with a thoughtful look. "In a way, I'd have been glad to take it; but I can't very well. "

"Your engagement at the little wild-cat mine is an obstacle? After all, there are other engineers in Canada; I don't suppose your employerswould suffer much inconvenience if you gave up the job. "

"There's a year yet to go, besides an understanding that I'd stay untilwe got down to the deep vein. "

"For very small pay? Much less than you're now offered, and with noprospects?"

"My employers are straight people and pay me as much as they can afford. They treat me well, though they're a small firm and the mine is notprospering. In fact, I expect they'll have some trouble to hold outuntil we reach good ore. "

"The risk of their not holding out is rather a curious argument for yourstaying. "

Thirlwell was silent for a few moments, and his face was hard when heresumed: "I know something about the combine's methods--Masters, who'sstill with one of the companies Sir James bought up, writes to me. Isuppose one mustn't be too fastidious, but there are things the man whotakes the post I'm offered will be expected to do; things I haven't doneyet and mean to leave alone. You have often to throw your scruplesoverboard when you pay big dividends. "

Allott chuckled. "The combine does not pay big dividends. It's agrievance of the shareholders'. "

"Oh, well; Sir James was knighted, and I hear about another directorbuilding a hospital. One doesn't get honors for nothing. They'reexpensive. "

"Jim, " said Allott reproachfully, "you're talking like your father, andwhile airing one's views may be harmless, trying to live up to themdoesn't always pay. Taking that line cost him much; I thought youwiser. "

Thirlwell colored. "My father was an honest man. If I can live as hedid, I shall be satisfied. "

"Well, for some reason, Sir James is keen about bringing you back, andif you state the terms on which you'll come, I imagine he'll agree. Thisshould make things easier, and I believe he'll be responsible if you payyour employers a fine to let you off. "

Thirlwell was silent and looked out of the window. The hum of trafficcame up from the dark gaps between the buildings and he heard alocomotive bell and the clash of freight-cars by the wharf. Then thehoot of a deep whistle rang across the town, and red and white flashespierced the darkness down the river. A big liner, signaling her tug, wascoming up stream, and presently her long hull was marked by lights thatrose in tiers above the water. He watched her as she swung in to thewharf with her load of cheering immigrants. 

It reminded him of his landing in Canada, and he looked back upon thedisappointments and hardships he had borne in the country. He had soonfound there was no easy road to wealth, and life had so far been anarduous struggle. He had known poverty, hunger, and stinging cold, andnow his pay left little over when he had satisfied his frugal needs. Allwould be different if he went back to England, and he pondered overAllott's specious arguments. There was no reason he should not take theoffered post if he could do so on his terms, and it was possible thathis employers would release him. He was thirty years of age, had longpractised self-denial, and would soon get old. Why should he not enjoysome prosperity before it was too late? Allott had said enough, but didnot know this and had not finished yet. 

"There's another matter, Jim, " he resumed. "You can't think aboutmarrying while you stay in the bush. "

"I don't know that I want to marry. I couldn't support a wife. "

"Why not, if you chose a wife with money?"

"Then she'd have to support me. Besides, I expect it would be hard tofind a rich girl willing to marry a poor engineer. "

Allott made a sign of impatience. "Let's be frank! The matter'sdelicate, and perhaps requires a lighter touch than mine, but Iunderstand that Helen has given you a hint. "

"She has, " said Thirlwell, with some grimness. "I hoped you'd both letthe thing go when she saw my attitude. "

"We'll let it go after the next few minutes, if you like, but there issomething to be said. Evelyn is an attractive girl, and has some money;besides which, Sir James would approve her marrying you. He has hintedthat he'll give you a chance of making your mark in England if he issatisfied. Evelyn's relations know this, and it was significant thatthey agreed when Helen invited her to join us. As the girl consented, Imight perhaps go farther--"

Thirlwell stopped him. "Why is Sir James anxious to help me?"

"We can only guess. Perhaps he feels you have a claim and he hasneglected you. Then he may think you will do him credit and realize theambitions he's getting too old to carry out. He has noted that you haveinherited your father's character, and I've heard him remark that whileTom Thirlwell had extravagant notions, he certainly had brains. However, we were talking about Evelyn. "

Thirlwell, exercising some self-control, lighted a cigarette and gaveAllott a steady look. 

"Then we'll finish the talk. Evelyn is a charming girl; amiable, pretty, tranquil, but there's no ground for believing she has contemplatedmarrying me. "

"Suppose we admit that's possible?" said Allott, with a meaning smile. "I imagine, because I know you both, that if you were firm enough, youcould, so to speak, carry her away. Since you own that she's charming, why don't you try?"

"If you are curious, you can take it that Sir James's gratuitousapproval is an obstacle. I shall not marry to please him or let him planmy career. I mean to stand on my own feet and not be ruled by a greedyold man's caprices. Now you understand this, we'll say no more about thething. "

Allott shrugged. "Very well! I've done my best, and since you mean totake your own line, wish you success. Perhaps we had better godownstairs. "

Evelyn was talking to the young American when they crossed the big halland she smiled as they passed, but an hour later Thirlwell saw heralone. She beckoned him carelessly and indicated a place near her in acorner seat. 

"So Allott has not persuaded you to come with us!" she remarked. 

"No, " said Thirlwell. "Very sorry, but there are matters I can'tneglect. "

"We shall miss you, " she said, with a side glance. "I suppose you arenot coming to England afterwards?"

"I'm afraid not, " Thirlwell answered. 

Then, to his surprise, she gave him a rather curious smile. "From thebeginning I didn't think you would come. "

"Ah!" said Thirlwell. "Still I don't see why--"

"That doesn't matter, " she answered calmly. "After all, I dare say it'sbetter in many ways that you should stay in Canada, and I wish youluck. " She paused a moment and resumed: "I want you to feel that I dowish it. But Mrs. Allott is waiting for me. We shall, no doubt, see youbefore we start. "

She left him puzzled but relieved. Next morning he stood on the platformof the Grand Trunk station, and Evelyn, leaning on the rails of avestibule, smiled and waved her hand as the train rolled away. 

CHAPTER II

STRANGE'S STORY

After Allott's departure Thirlwell went to Montreal and spent twodepressing days transacting some business for his employers. Quebec wasquiet and picturesque, and a cool, refreshing breeze blew up the riverfrom the Laurentian wilds, but Montreal, shut in by the wooded mountain, sweltered in humid heat. Then the streets were being torn up to layelectric mains, and sand and cement blew about from half-finishedconcrete buildings. Thirlwell did not like large cities, and after thesilence of the bush, the bustle of the traffic jarred. 

He had, however, better grounds for feeling depressed. His employerstrusted him, and actuated by loyalty as well as professional pride, hehad resolved to make their rather daring venture a success. Now thislooked difficult. Money was scarce, and he found credit strangely hardto get. The mining speculators he called upon received him coldly, andalthough he had a warmer welcome from the manufacturers of giant-powderand rock-boring machines, they demanded prompt payment for their goods. When Thirlwell stated that this was impossible they told him to comeagain. 

It was known that there was silver in the rocks that run back into theNorth-West Territories, but nobody had found ore that would pay forrefining. The rich strike in Ontario had not been made yet, and theprospectors who pushed into the forests with drill and dynamite wereregarded as rash enthusiasts. Bankers were cautious, and declined toaccept rusty mining plant and a shaft in the wilderness as goodsecurity. 

On the evening before he left Montreal, Thirlwell sat in the hall of hishotel, listening to the clanging street-cars and the rattle of the GrandTrunk trains. Poisoned flies dropped upon the tables and an electric fanmade an unpleasant whirring as it churned the humid air. Had his moodbeen normal the heat and noise would not have disturbed Thirlwell, butnow they jarred. 

His visit had been a failure, and his employers must develop the minewithout the help of the latest machines. He doubted if they couldfinance the undertaking until they struck the vein. Then it looked as ifhe had been rash to reject Sir James's offer. He had thrown away achance of winning prosperity and perhaps fame in England, for he knew hehad some talent and he was ambitious. Instead he had chosen exhaustinglabor and stern self-denial in the wilds. The life had somecompensations, but they were not very obvious then. It was, however, toolate for regrets; he had chosen and must be content, and putting downthe newspaper he was trying to read, he went to bed. 

Two days later he sat in the garden of a new summer hotel on the shoreof Lake Huron. A pine forest rolled down to the water past the prettywooden building, and the air in the shade was cool and sweet withresinous smells. The lake glittered, smooth as glass, in the hot sun, but here and there a wandering breeze traced a dark-blue line acrossthe placid surface. Along the beach the shadows of the pines floatedmotionless. 

Thirlwell smoked and meditated on the errand that had brought him to thehotel. The clerk had told him that Miss Strange was on the beach, but hehad not seen her yet and felt some curiosity about the girl whom he hadarranged to meet. They had corresponded and he had brought a photographhe thought she would like to see, but on the whole he would sooner shehad not asked for the interview. She might find it painful to hear thestory he had to tell, and the thing would require some tact, moreperhaps than he had. 

In the meantime he wondered what she was like. Her letters indicated acultivated mind, and he knew she had a post at a Toronto school; but onecould not expect much from the daughter of the broken-down prospector hehad met in the North. Strange had worked spasmodically at the mine, where he was employed because labor was scarce. He was not a goodworkman, and when he had earned a small sum generally bought provisionsand went off into the bush to re-locate a silver lode he claimed to havefound when he was young. He came back ragged and disappointed, and whenliquor could be got indulged freely before he resumed his work. 

Nobody believed his tale; Strange's lode was something of a joke. Theminers called him a crank, and Thirlwell had doubted if he was quitesane, but he persisted in his search and sometimes Black Steve Driscollwent North with him. It was suspected that Driscoll made an unlawfulprofit by selling the Indians liquor, which perhaps accounted for hisjourneys with Strange. As they returned from the last expedition theircanoe capsized in a rapid near the mining camp, and although Driscollreached land exhausted, Strange's body was never found. Thirlwell knewhis daughter's address, and sent her news of the accident, which led toan exchange of letters. Now he would shortly see her, give her theparticulars she wanted, and then their acquaintance would end, althoughhe liked the hotel and might stay for a few days' fishing. 

His pipe went out and he was half asleep when a girl crossed the lawn. She came nearer, as if to avoid the glistening showers the nickeledsprinklers threw upon the thirsty grass, and Thirlwell watched herdrowsily, noting her light, well-balanced movements and the grace of hertall figure. She wore a big white hat and a thin summer dress that hethought was very artistically made. There was something aristocraticabout her, and he imagined she belonged to a party that had landed froma fine steam yacht. Then he noted with some surprise that she was comingto him. 

She stopped and Thirlwell got up, imagining that she had made a mistake. Her face, like her figure, hinted at strength tempered by proudself-control. She had brown hair with a ruddy tint that caught thelight, gray eyes that met his with a calm, inquiring glance, and firmred lips. Thirlwell was not a critic of female beauty, but he saw thatshe had dignity and charm. In the meantime, he wondered what she wanted. 

"Mr. Thirlwell, I suppose?" she said. 

He bowed and she resumed: "Then I must thank you for coming here to meetme. I am Agatha Strange. "

It cost Thirlwell an effort to hide his surprise; indeed, he wonderedwith some embarrassment whether he had succeeded, for this was not thekind of girl he had expected to meet. 

"It was not much out of my way, and I wanted to see the lake, " hereplied, as he brought a chair. 

She thanked him, and sitting down was silent for a few moments while shegazed across the lawn. Some of the guests were sitting in the shadow bythe water's edge, their summer clothes making blotches of bright coloramong the gray rocks. Out on the lake, a young man knelt in the stern ofa canoe, swinging a paddle that flashed in the sun, while a girl trailedher hand in the sparkling water. As the craft passed the landing shebegan to sing. No breath of wind ruffled the surface now, and the darkpine-sprays were still. A drowsy quietness brooded over the tranquilscene. 

"It is very beautiful, " she said slowly. "Different, one imagines, fromthe rugged North!"

"Very different, " Thirlwell agreed, and took out a photograph. "You willsee that by the picture I promised to bring. "

Agatha took the photograph. It showed a broad stretch of sullen waterwith a strip of forest on the other side. The pines were ragged andstunted and some leaned across each other, while the gloomy sky wassmeared by the smoke of a forest-fire. In the foreground, angry wavesbroke in foaming turmoil among half-covered rocks. No soft beauty markedthe river of the North, and the land it flowed through looked forbiddingand desolate. 

"The Shadow River, " said Thirlwell. "You can see the Grand Rapid. Ihave marked a cross where the canoe upset. "

Agatha said nothing for a few moments, and Thirlwell was relieved. Hesaw she felt keenly, but she was calm. In the meantime he waited; onelearns to wait in the North. 

"Thank you; I would like to keep the picture, " she said by and by, andgave him a level glance. "I suppose you knew my father well?"

"I knew him in a way, " Thirlwell answered cautiously, because he did notwant to talk about Strange's habits. Perhaps the girl knew her father'sweakness, and if not, it was better that she should think well of him. Yet Thirlwell imagined she understood something of his reserve. 

"Ah!" she said, "you knew him in the bush, but not when he lived at homewith us. I should like to tell you his story. "

"Not if it is painful. "

"It is painful, but I would sooner you heard it, " she replied. "For onething, you have been kind--" She paused, and when she resumed there wasa faint sparkle in her eyes. "I want you to understand my father. He wasmy hero. "

Thirlwell made a vague gesture. He had seen Strange, half drunk, reelingalong the trail to the mine, but this did not lessen his sympathy forthe girl. He hoped she had taken his sign to imply that he was willingto listen. 

"To begin with, do you believe in the silver lode?" she asked. 

"One disbelieves in nothing up yonder, " Thirlwell tactfully replied. "It's a country of surprises; you don't know what you may find. Besides, there is some silver--I'm now sinking a shaft--"

Agatha smiled and he saw she had the gift of humor. The smile softenedher firm lips and lighted her eyes. 

"I imagine you are cautious. In fact, you are rather like the picture Imade of you after reading your letters. "

Thirlwell felt embarrassed and said nothing, as was his prudent rulewhen his thoughts were not clear. 

"My father found the ore many years since, when he was employed by theHudson's Bay Company, " she resumed. "The factory was in the Territories, three or four hundred miles north of your mine, and the agent sent himout, with a dog-train and two Indians, to collect some furs. They had tomake a long journey, and were coming back, short of food, when theycamped one evening beside a frozen creek. The water had worn away theface of a small cliff, and the frost had recently split off a largeslab. That left the strata cleanly exposed, and my father noticed thatnear the foot of the rock there was a different-colored band. They weremaking camp in the snow then, but he went back afterwards when the moonrose and the Indians were asleep, and broke off a number of bits. Thestones were unusually heavy. Doesn't that mean something?"

"Silver has a high specific gravity; so has lead. Sometimes one findsthem combined. "

"I have a piece here, " said Agatha, taking out a small packet. "Myfather gave it me when I was a child, and I brought it, thinking Imight, perhaps, show it to you. "

Thirlwell, examining the specimen, missed something of her meaning, anddid not see that her decision to show him the ore was a compliment. Helooked honest, and strangers often trusted him. His friends had neverknown him abuse their confidence. 

"Yes, " he said at length. "I think it's silver. Traces of lead, andperhaps copper, too; you seldom find silver pure. But won't you go onwith the tale?"

"The party's food was getting short. That meant they would starve ifthey did not reach the factory soon, and they set off again at dawn. There was no time to prospect and deep snow covered the ground, but myfather made what he called a mental photograph of the spot. It was alittle hollow among the rocks, with a willow grove by the creek, and inthe middle there were two or three burned pines. If you drew a linethrough them it pointed nearly north, and where it touched the cliff youturned east about twenty yards. "

"Aren't you rash to tell me this?" Thirlwell asked. 

Agatha smiled. "On the whole, I think not; but nothing I could tellwould be of much use to you. My father, although he had been there, could not find the spot again. "

She paused a moment and then went on: "When they reached the factory heshowed the specimens to the agent, who said they were worthless andlaughed at him. But it was perhaps significant that he was not sent thatway again. One understands that the Hudson's Bay directors were jealousof their game preserves. "

"Furs paid better than silver, " Thirlwell agreed. "They didn't wantminers with dynamite and noisy machines to invade the solitudes andfrighten the wild animals away. "

"My father, going south on a holiday, met my mother and gave up his postwhen they were married. She had a little money, enough to open a smallstore, and for her sake he started business in a new wooden town. He didnot like the towns, and I know when I got older that he often longed forthe wild North, but although the place grew and the business prospered, he could not spare the time and money to look for the lode. He wanted togive my brother a good education and start him well, and after a time Iwas sent to a university. "

"That explains something, " Thirlwell remarked, and then pulling himselfup, added: "If you take proper appliances, a prospecting expeditioncosts much. But did your father often talk about the lode?"

"No; not unless it was to me. "

"But why did he tell you and not your brother?"

"George was very practical; I was romantic and my father something of adreamer. We lived happily at home, but I felt that he needed sympathythat he did not get. I think now my mother knew he longed for the North, and was afraid the longing might grow too strong and draw him back. Whenhe did speak of the silver she smiled. I suppose when you have known thewilderness its charm is strong?"

She stopped and her face was gravely thoughtful as she looked across theshining water towards the faint blur of a pine forest on a distantpoint, and Thirlwell felt as if they had been suddenly united by a bondof understanding. 

"Yes, " he said. "It's a stern country and one has much to bear; but itcalls. One fears the hardships, cold, and danger--but one goes. "

Agatha looked up quietly, but he noted the gleam in her eyes. 

"You _know_! Well, you can imagine what it cost my father to resist thecall, but he did resist for many years. He loved my mother, but I thinkhe hated the growing town; then there was the dream of riches that mightbe his. He was not greedy, and my brother did not need money. George hada talent for business and his employers soon promoted him; but I wasfond of science, and it was my father's ambition that I should makeindependent researches and not be forced to work for pay. "

She hesitated, and then went on: "Perhaps I am boring you, but I wantedyou to understand what his duty must have cost. You see, you only knewhim in the bush, and after he went back I noted a difference in hisletters. They were sometimes strange; he seemed to be hiding things. Ithink he felt the disappointment keenly and lost heart. "

Thirlwell saw she suspected something, and replied: "Disappointment isoften numbing; but your father never lost his faith in the lode. "

"Nor have I lost mine, " said Agatha. "But we will not talk about thatyet. He brought us up and started us well; then my mother died, andnobody had any further claim on him. His duty was done, and though hewas getting old, he went back to the North. Well, I have told you partof his story, and you know the rest. "

"It is a moving tale, " said Thirlwell, with quiet sympathy. 

He thought she felt it was necessary to defend her father, and she haddone so. Indeed, he admitted that one must respect the man who had, withuncomplaining patience, for years carried on his disliked task for hiswife and children's sake. Longing for the woods and the silent trail, Strange must have found it irksome to count dollar bills and weighgroceries in the store; but he had done his duty, and borne hardship andfailure when at last freedom came. Still the girl must not know what hehad become. 

Agatha asked him a number of questions and then got up. "Thank you, " shesaid. "I will take the photograph and would like you to keep thespecimen of ore. "

"I will keep it; but I wonder why you wish to give it me?"

She smiled. "I believe in the lode and would like you to believe in it, too. You are a mining engineer and can find out if there is much silverin the stone. "

Then she crossed the lawn to the hotel veranda and left Thirlwellthoughtful. 

CHAPTER III

AGATHA MAKES A PROMISE

Next morning Thirlwell wrote to his employers, stating that he meant totake another week's holiday, and smiled as he reflected that the letterwould arrive too late for them to refuse. The hotel was comfortable, hehad met one or two interesting people, and was told the fishing wasgood; besides, he thought he would not be badly needed at the mine justthen. For all that, he was not quite persuaded that these weresufficient reasons for neglecting his work, and when he went through thehall with the letter in his hand he put it into his pocket instead ofthe box. He would think over the matter again before the mail went out. Then as he crossed the veranda Agatha came up from the beach and gavehim a smile. 

"You are out early, " Thirlwell remarked. 

"I like the morning freshness and have been on the lake. "

"It looks as if you had hurt yourself, " said Thirlwell, noting a smallwet handkerchief twisted round her hand. 

Agatha laughed. "Not seriously; I blistered my fingers trying to paddle. I have been practising since I came, but it is difficult to keep thecanoe straight when you are alone. "

"That's so, " Thirlwell agreed. "The back-feathering stroke is hard tolearn. "

"For all that, I mean to learn it before I go. "

"Perhaps I could teach it you. How long have you got?"

"A fortnight, " she said, moving on, and when she left him Thirlwell wentto the mail-box and dropped in his letter. 

Afterwards he felt annoyed that he had done so, and wondered whether hehad weakly given way to a romantic impulse, but next morning he wentdown to the beach and found the girl launching a canoe. Making her sitnear the middle, he knelt in the stern and drove the canoe across theshining water with vigorous strokes. Agatha wore a white jersey and hadleft her hat, and he noted the color the cool wind brought to her faceand how the light sparkled on her hair. 

By and by they skirted a rocky island where resinous smells driftedacross the water and the reflections of tall pines wavered round thecanoe, until he ran the craft on a shingle point and they changedplaces. Agatha took the single-bladed paddle and although her hands weresore made some progress while he instructed her. After a time shestopped and let the canoe drift in the hot sunshine. 

"I think you'd soon make a good _voyageur_, " Thirlwell remarked. "Forone thing, you're determined; I saw you wince once or twice and imaginethe paddle-haft hurt. "

"I must learn to use the pole yet, and mean to try it in the river byand by. You must pole, I think, when you go up a fast stream?"

"That is so, when you can't use the tracking line. But I don't see whyyou are anxious to learn. "

"I have an object, " Agatha answered with a smile. 

"Then why don't you practise canoeing at Toronto?"

"The trouble is that I haven't time. You see, I teach all day. "

"But you have holidays and the evenings. "

"My evenings are occupied by study. "

"I don't know if it's wise to over-work yourself for the advantage ofyour pupils, " Thirlwell remarked. "At one time, I was very keen about myprofession, but soon found it a mistake to tire my brain for myemployer's benefit. But what do you study?"

"Science; chemistry and geology, but not in order to teach the girls. "

"Well, I suppose knowledge is worth getting for its own sake. Anyhow, Ithought so, but you learn when you undertake rude mining that the mainthing is to be able to make a practical use of what you know. In fact, that's often better than knowing much. "

"Perhaps so, " Agatha agreed. "Some day I hope to make a good use of whatI have learned. "

"About canoeing, or geology?"

"About both, " said Agatha. "Now, however, I think we'll make for thelanding. Breakfast will be ready soon. "

Thirlwell saw no more of her during the day, but she came down to thebeach in the evening and he gave her another lesson. As they paddledhome he thought she looked tired, and asked: "Where have you been sincemorning?"

Agatha indicated a ridge of high ground with a few pines on its summitthat rose indistinctly at some distance across the shadowy forest. 

"I took my lunch with me and went up there. "

"But it must be a two or three hours' walk. Is there a trail?"

"A loggers' trail. It's partly grown up and broke off altogether when Igot near the rocks. After that I had a rough scramble, but I like thewoods and try to walk as much as possible in my holidays. "

"Well, no doubt, walking is good for one. But don't the girls in Torontoprefer the street cars?"

"I don't go long walks for health's sake, " Agatha answered with a smile. "But I think some people I know are waiting. Can you paddle faster?"

The canoe's bows lifted out of a wisp of foam as Thirlwell swung thepaddle, and in a few minutes he helped the girl to land. After this, their acquaintance ripened fast and Agatha went fishing with him on thelake and, by disused logging trails, long distances into the shadowybush. Thirlwell imagined she knew this excited some remark, but he sawthere was an imperious vein in the girl, who did what she thought fit, without heeding conventions. Besides, no touch of sentiment marked theirfriendship; she accepted him as a comrade who could teach her somethingabout lake and forest, and he was satisfied with this. 

Yet he was puzzled. It was strange that an attractive girl should wishto learn something of the bush-man's skill, but she obviously meant todo so. Although it often cost her an effort to follow him, she would notlet him turn back when they came to an angry rapid or a belt of tangledwoods. She certainly had charm besides having pluck, because when shedid not go fishing young women as well as young men gathered round heron the shady lawn. It was hard to imagine why a girl like this shouldpractise walking long distances and combine the study of canoeing withgeology. 

The fortnight slipped by and on the last evening Thirlwell took Agathaout upon the lake. They were later than usual and as they stole acrossthe glassy water the pines on a western headland cut black and sharpagainst an orange glow. To the east a faint track of silver ran backinto the blue distance under the moon. It was very quiet except for thesplash of the paddle and ripple at the bows, but somewhere in theshadows a loon was calling. By and by the lights of the hotel faded andthey were alone in the dusk. 

Thirlwell put down the paddle and lighted a cigarette. He had drawnnearer the girl in the last week; a curious feeling of confidence andliking united them, but he was not her lover and knew that if he driftedinto philandering she would be repelled. Perhaps this was unusual, butshe was different from other girls. Thirlwell could not tell how shediffered, but he was satisfied that she did and let the matter go. 

"You start for the mine to-morrow, don't you?" she asked presently. 

"Yes, " he said; "it's my last evening on the lake. There's somethingmelancholy about the end of a holiday, but I don't think I have felt itas much before. "

Agatha gave him a calm glance and saw he had not meant her to read asentimental meaning in his admission. It was unconscious flattery andshe was pleased. 

"I can understand. One values the days of liberty when they are gone!But do you feel daunted by the thought of the work and hardship thatwaits you in the North?"

"Not in a way. Now and then you shrink from the arctic winter, but insummer, in spite of the mosquitoes, the bush gets hold of you. Sometimesyou hate the solitude; but when you leave it you long to return. "

"Ah, " said Agatha, "I have not seen the wilderness, but next summer Ihope to make an exploring trip. "

"But where?"

"To the Shadow River and on into the Territories, " she answered quietly. Thirlwell looked hard at her, and she smiled. "Yes; if things go wellwith me, I mean to look for the silver ore. "

"Now I begin to understand! This is why you wanted to learn to manage acanoe and train yourself to walking through the bush. But it's aridiculous undertaking. Your father, who found it, could not locate theore again. "

"I may be luckier. Luck counts for something when you go prospecting, doesn't it?"

"Success in prospecting is often due to luck, " Thirlwell admitted. "Butit's a very rough country where no food can be got. You will needcanoes, tools, and tents, and two or three good packers to carry theoutfit across the divides. This would be expensive. Then I doubt if youare strong enough to bear the strain; I imagine very few women could doso without breaking down. "

"You have seen how I have tried to harden myself, but I have made otherpreparations. It's some time since I resolved to go, and every month Iput by a little money. By next summer I ought to have enough. "

"I wonder whether you found it easy to save. "

"I did not, " said Agatha, smiling. "Sometimes it was very hard; I shouldnot have taken this holiday only that I wanted to get used to the lakesand woods. I am grateful for all you have taught me. "

A thought that pleased him took shape in Thirlwell's brain, but he usedsome restraint. He must not encourage the girl in what he imagined wasfolly. 

"The chance of your finding the vein is very small, and there's anotherthing. You have told me your father's story, and I have met men like himin the woods, who had wasted their money and lost their health followingan illusion. The lode, so to speak, haunted him and made him restlesswhen he might have been content at home, and then drove him into thewilds when he was old. It's dangerous to give oneself up to a fixedidea, and you mustn't let the infatuation get hold of you. It will bringyou disappointment and trouble. "

"The warning's too late, " said Agatha in a curious quiet voice. "Theinfatuation has got hold of me, but one must follow one's bent, and lifeis tame if one does nothing that is not prudent and safe. Besides, romantic dreams sometimes come true. "

"Not often, " said Thirlwell dryly. "But why do you really want to go?"

"The silver is mine; my father gave it me. It looked as if my brotherwould prosper without his help, and I think he loved me best. Perhapsthis was because I believed in the vein. "

Thirlwell shook his head. "I cannot think you greedy. "

"Then, " said Agatha with a flush of color, "if you must have the truth, I feel I must finish my father's work. His son and his best friendsthought him the victim of his imagination and the lode a joke; but if Isucceed, his dreams will be justified. "

Thirlwell said nothing for a minute or two; he saw that she was resoluteand was moved by her staunch loyalty. After all, Strange's story was notuncommon; Thirlwell had known men leave work and home to follow anelusive clue to mineral treasure in the barren solitudes. Some had comeback broken in fortune and courage, and some had not come back at all. Then while he mused the harsh cry of the loon rang through the dark. Itfired his blood, and unconsciously he fixed his eyes on the North, forin summer the birds of the lakes and rivers push on towards the Pole. Hehad done his duty and tried to persuade the girl, but after all she wasstronger and finer than Strange. It was possible that she might succeed, and he could help. 

"When you go I hope you will let me come, " he said. "We have the toolsand outfit one needs for prospecting at the mine, and I could get thepackers and canoes. "

"But you don't believe I shall find the lode. Why do you want to come?"

"I know the bush, " Thirlwell answered with a smile. "So far I've beenprudent and stuck to my job, but I've felt the pull of the lone traillike other men. In fact, I'd rather like to do something rash, for achange. "

"Have you never done anything rash?"

"Only once, I think. It needed all my pluck; but the curious thing isthat it's now turning out better than I hoped. "

Agatha pondered and then looked up. "It would be an advantage to havesomebody I could trust to look after the packers and canoes; but thejourney must be made at my cost. I couldn't let another undertake myduty. "

"Then I may come? It's a promise?"

"Yes, " said Agatha quietly; "when I am ready I will let you know. Now, however, we must get back to the hotel. "

Thirlwell dipped the paddle, the canoe lurched, and her bow rose at hisnext vigorous stroke. The ripples she threw off widened into afan-shaped wake that trailed away and was lost in a glitter ofmoonlight. The black pines on the point rose higher, resinous smellscame out of the dark, and presently a row of lights twinkled ahead. Thirlwell ran the canoe alongside the landing and when they reached theveranda Agatha gave him her hand. 

"You start early, I think, " she said. "I have much to thank you for andam glad we have met. "

He let her go and afterwards leaned against the rails. She had made hima promise and when they next met it would be beside a river of theNorth. But this was twelve months ahead; he felt it was a long time towait. 

CHAPTER IV

STRANGE'S PARTNER

The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking andtalking, in their shack at the Clermont mine. Scott was young and hadonce been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stainedoveralls. For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few ofthe refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort tochange their clothes when they were tired. 

The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at thecorners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss. A big stove, nowempty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the roombefore it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat aspossible. Plans, drawing instruments, and some books on mining, occupieda shelf on the wall; guns, fishing rods, and surveying tools a corner, and a plain, uncovered table the middle of the room. Besides this, therewere two or three cheap folding chairs. 

The door and window were open, although the mosquitoes were numerous, and the roar of the Shadow River and a smell of wood smoke came in. Whenhe looked out, Thirlwell could see the ragged tops of the stunted pinescut against a pale-green glow. By and by Scott knocked out his pipe andstretched his legs. There was another partner, but he only visited themine at intervals and had left it while Thirlwell was away. 

"Brinsmead has gone to Nevada and probably won't come back, " Scottremarked. "He has a plausible manner, but seems to have done no betterin New York than you did in Montreal; it looks as if machinery agentsare very shy about giving credit to the owners of half-developed mines. Anyhow, when he heard of a field for his talents in a Western town hedidn't hesitate. Now he tells me that he finds the prospect of earningsome money instead of spending it a refreshing change. "

"It's lucky he didn't take his capital out of the Clermont, " Thirlwellreplied. 

Scott laughed. "He couldn't take it out. Nobody would buy his share, andmy fortune's represented by a shaft in danger of flooding and some cheapand antiquated boring plant. In fact, if we don't strike pay-dirt soon, the Clermont will go broke, and I imagine that's why Brinsmead skipped. After floating one or two small mines successfully, he has somereputation to lose, while I'm, of course, not an engineer or a businessman. " He paused and looked hard at Thirlwell. "I'd like you to stay andsee me through, but wouldn't blame you if you quit. "

"My reputation is not worth much and can be risked. Besides, I imaginewe'll get down to the deep vein before the funds run out. "

"I hope so! You're not a quitter, and we'll hold on while we can, but Ithink we'll talk about something else. Well, I've examined the specimenof ore you brought back. It looks like high-grade stuff and certainlycarries enough metal to pay for smelting. "

"What do you think about Strange's tale?"

Scott knitted his brows. "I did think the man a drunken crank and thelode an illusion that had grown on him by degrees until he reallybelieved in the ore. When you get the tanking habit such things happen. One specimen certainly doesn't prove very much; but since Strange gaveit to his daughter a long time before we knew him, I'm willing to revisemy judgment. "

"Miss Strange is persuaded that he did find the lode. She tells me heled a very industrious and sober life at home. "

"It's rather curious you met the girl, " Scott observed. 

"I don't think so. When we found her address among the truck Strange hadleft with the foreman, it was the proper thing for me to tell her he wasdrowned. This led to another letter or two, and when I said I was goingto Montreal she asked me to meet her. "

"Is she like Strange?"

"Not at all, " Thirlwell declared. "In fact, although her letters oughtto have prepared me, I got something of a surprise. She was not the kindof girl I had expected to meet. I understand she teaches at a Torontoschool. "

"She must have some talent to get a post there, " Scott remarked when hehad asked the name of the school. Then he paused and vaguely indicatedthe North. "Well, it's a romantic story! Nobody knows yet what there isin the rocks up yonder, but we have heard of other prospectors strikingpay-dirt and making nothing of their discovery. Rumors about mysteriouslodes are common in a mineral belt, and while they're oftenimaginative, my notion is that now and then there's some fact behind thefiction. Fur-traders in Alaska heard such tales long before the Klondykestrike. "

He stopped, for there were steps outside, and Thirlwell, leaningforward, saw a man come up the trail. The fellow had a dark, sullen faceand wore an old gray shirt and ragged overalls. He walked with a slightlimp, in consequence of getting his foot frost-bitten on a winterjourney, but he was an expert trapper and had penetrated far into thewilds. When skins were scarce he worked at the mine, but generally lefthis employment after a drunken bout. 

"I wonder whether Driscoll believes in Strange's lode, " Scott resumed asthe man went by. "He knew him better than anybody else. They went Northtogether once or twice, and had been away some time when Strange wasdrowned coming back. "

"Strange wouldn't tell Black Steve where he thought the lode was, "Thirlwell objected. "I understand they only kept together until they hadportaged their outfit across the divide. "

"Strange would leave a trail a trapper could follow. Then I don't seewhy Steve stops here instead of locating on better hunting ground. Itlooks as if he didn't want to leave the Shadow. "

"I don't see how stopping here would help him to find the lode, " saidThirlwell, who went to the door. 

It was getting dark and except for the turmoil of the river the bush wasvery still. The green behind the pines had faded, and they rose againstthe sky indistinctly in smears of shadowy blue. They had neither heightnor beauty, but straggled back, battered and stunted by the winds, among the rocks until they faded from sight. There was not much toattract a white man in the desolation of tangled bush, but as he glancedacross it, looking to the North, a hint of mystery in its silenceappealed to Thirlwell. He felt that the wilderness challenged him tofind a clue to the treasure it hid. Then he reflected with a smile thatit was taking much for granted to admit that there was treasure there, and he went back into the shack and lighted the lamp. 

A week later, he went up the river bank, one evening, with a fishingrod, and stopped at dusk at the tail of the Grand Rapid. He had gonefarther than he meant and was tired after scrambling across slipperyrocks and among the driftwood that lay about the bank. There was, however, a shorter way back, and lighting his pipe he sat down upon thegravel and looked about. 

The sun had set some time since, but the light would not quite die outuntil just before the dawn, and the pines across the river rose againstthe green sky in a dark, broken-topped wall. Near his feet the bleachedskeletons of trees, ground by floods and ice, glimmered a livid white, and beyond them the rapid frothed and roared in angry turmoil. The riverhad shrunk now the melted snow had flowed away, and rocks one seldom sawlifted their black tops above the racing foam. Inshore of the main rush, smooth-worn ledges ran in and out among shallow pools. A short distanceahead, the bush rolled down to the water's edge in a dark mass thatthrew back in confused echoes the din the river made. 

By and by the mosquitoes that had followed Thirlwell got more numerousand when, in spite of the smoke, they settled upon his face and neck hereeled up his line ready to start. As he did so he thought he sawsomething move where the forest ran down to the river. The object wasindistinct, but it looked like a man walking cautiously upon a ledgebetween the pools, and Thirlwell wondered what the fellow was doingthere. The big gray trout had stopped rising, there were no Indiansabout, and the miners had not left the camp. 

Thirlwell waited until the man moved out from the gloom of the trees. His figure was now distinct against the foam of the rapid, and hestooped as if he were looking down into a pool. Then he moved on, andThirlwell, noting that he would soon pass in front of a dark rock, resolved to change his place in order to watch him better. Getting up, he went down to the water's edge, but came to a tangle of white branchesthat the river had thrown up. As he stopped he saw the man plainly, butwhen he looked up after scrambling over the driftwood there was nobodyabout. 

This was strange and excited his curiosity. The other's figure wouldprobably be invisible against the rock, but he must have moved rapidlyto get in front of it. Then Thirlwell saw that where he stood the bushwas no longer behind him. He had the inshore eddies for a background andthe water reflected a faint light. There was no obvious reason why theother should be alarmed and try to steal away, but it looked as if hehad done so. 

Thirlwell sat down among the driftwood and waited, but saw no more ofthe man; and then going back quietly, turned into a trail that led tothe mine. The trail was rough and narrow; in places, short brush hadsprung up, and there were patches of outcropping rock. It would bedifficult for anybody to follow it without making some noise, butalthough he stopped and listened no sound came out of the gloom. 

He went on, pondering the matter with some curiosity. Since the minerswere in camp, he imagined the man he had seen was Driscoll, who livedalone in a log shack near the bank. But, if this were so, what wasDriscoll's object for wading among the reefs, and why had he stolen awaywhen he thought he was watched? Thirlwell could not solve the puzzle, but he could find out if the fellow were Driscoll or not, because thetrail passed his shack. 

He walked faster, making as little noise as possible, and by and byreached a belt of thinner forest. He passed a fallen pine, from which heknew the shack was visible in daylight, and resolved to see if Driscollwas at home. If not, Thirlwell thought it would be safe to conclude thathe had seen him among the reefs. A few moments later a light flashedamong the trees, flickered once or twice, and then burned steadily. Thirlwell knew it came from the window of the shack, but it was curiousthat Driscoll had lighted his lamp. In summer, miners and prospectorswent to bed at sunset, and Driscoll read no books or newspapers. Besides, if he wanted a light, why had he not got it before? It, however, looked as if the man had not been at the rapid and whenThirlwell passed the shack he saw his dark figure at the door. 

"Who's that?" he asked, and when Thirlwell answered, added: "Watch outas you go down the gulch. There's a rampike across the trail. "

When Thirlwell came to the burned pine he stopped abruptly as a thoughtstruck him. Driscoll's voice had sounded breathless; perhaps the fellowhad overdone his part. It might have been wiser for him to be silent. Driscoll often went fishing and knew the river well; now the water waslow he could have saved some distance by crossing the uncovered reefsinstead of scrambling along the curved bank. Besides, he had had a fewminutes' start. After all, he might have been at the rapid and havehurried back in order to deceive the man who had disturbed him. Moreover, he had learned who the man was. 

This, however, did not take Thirlwell far and he resumed his walk, wondering what Driscoll had been doing and why he feared to bedisturbed. It was plain that he had taken some trouble to put Thirlwelloff the track and might have succeeded had not the hoarseness of hisvoice given the latter a hint. Thirlwell felt puzzled, but could find noclue, and deciding that the matter was not important presently dismissedit. For all that, he resolved to watch Driscoll, but saw nothing toexcite his suspicions for the next week or two. Then the man bought allthe provisions Scott would let him have and loading his canoe startedfor the North. 

CHAPTER V

A NIGHT'S WATCH

Winter began unusually soon and a blizzard raged about the shack oneevening when Scott and Thirlwell sat near the stove. The small roomsmelt of hot-iron and the front of the stove glowed a dull red, but themen shivered as the bitter draughts swept in. Thirlwell watched the skincurtain he had nailed across the window bulge while the snow beatsavagely against the glass, and then picked up a book. Presently Scotthung a bearskin on the back of his chair. 

"It's a pretty good hide although the forequarter's cut away, " he said. "Still I don't know that I wanted the thing and reckon the half-breedwho sold it me got its value in cartridges and food. Now transport'sdifficult, I hope he and his Indian friends won't bring us any more ofthe damaged stock they can't sell to the Hudson's Bay. "

Thirlwell nodded. The rivers were frozen and canoeing was stopped, whilethe bush was deep in fresh, loose snow. It would be a long and strenuousbusiness to break a trail to the south, and in winter the mine was oftencut off from the settlements. Provisions sometimes ran short, but Scottfound it hard to refuse the starving Indians a share of his supplies. 

"You bought a fine skin, " he resumed. "I haven't seen the thing since. What have you done with it?"

"I sent it away, " said Thirlwell. "Old Musquash said he'd try to makethe settlements and took it out for me. "

"He'll probably get through, though I don't think a white man could. ButI didn't know you had friends in Canada. "

Thirlwell did not reply. He had bought the skin for Agatha and nowwondered what she would think about his present, or whether she mightfeel he ought not to have sent it. Still he doubted if the skin wouldarrive, because the old half-breed would meet with many dangers on theway. Thirlwell pictured him hauling his sledge up thinly frozen rivers, crossing wide lakes swept by icy gales, and plunging into tangledforests smothered in snow. The thought of it emphasized the sense ofisolation one often felt at the mine, but while he mused there was aknock at the door. 

"I expect it's an Indian come to beg for food, " Scott remarked and thedoor swung open. 

The flame of the lamp leaped up and then nearly flickered out as ashower of snow blew in. The stove roared and the room got horribly cold, and for a moment or two a shaggy, white figure, indistinct in thesemi-darkness, struggled to close the door. Then there was a sudden calmand when the light got steady an Indian in ragged furs leaned againstthe table, breathing hard and holding out a note. 

"From Father Lucien, " said Scott, who took the folded paper. "He's had asick man on his hands for three or four days and wants one of us torelieve him. I allow I'd sooner stop here. It's pretty fierceto-night. "

"Who's sick?" Thirlwell asked. 

"Black Steve. I don't know that he has much claim on us, but FatherLucien's a good sort. I guess we've got to help him out. "

Thirlwell nodded. Father Lucien was a French-Canadian missionary who hadstudied medicine, and, for the most part, lived with his wanderingflock. In summer, he went North with canoe and tent, but generallyreturned in winter to a shack near the mine. Scott and Thirlwell hadfound his society pleasant when they sat round the stove on long coldnights, for the priest had been trained in Europe and knew the greatworld as he knew the Canadian wilds. A scholar and something of amystic, he was marked by a wide toleration and liberality of thought. 

"Who's going? Shall we draw cuts for it?" Scott resumed. 

Thirlwell hesitated. He felt tired, the shack was warm, and he heard theblizzard rage among the tossing pines; but he was curious about Driscolland something urged him to go to the priest's help. 

"I'll take first turn. You can come along to-morrow if you're wanted, "he said, and putting on his fur coat and cap, went out with the Indian. 

When the door shut he let his companion take the lead, for his eyes werefilled with water and snow. He knew the bush, but imagined that nobodybut an Indian could find the trail that night, and to lose it would meandeath. For some moments the icy gale stopped his breathing, and hestumbled forward, seeing nothing, until he struck a pine, which heseized and leaned against. Looking round, with his back to the wind, henoted that the shack had vanished, although he thought it was only afew yards off. There was nothing visible, but when the Indian touchedhim he pulled himself together and struggled on again. 

It was a little warmer when they plunged into the bush, but the snow wassoft and deep, and they stumbled over fallen branches and fell intothickets. Torn-off twigs rained upon their lowered heads, shadowy trunksloomed up and vanished, and Thirlwell could not tell where he was going;but the Indian plodded on, his white figure showing faintly through thesnow. At length, when Thirlwell was nearly exhausted, another soundmingled with the scream of the gale, and he knew it was the turmoil ofthe Grand Rapid, where the furious current did not freeze. They weregetting near the end of the journey, and he braced himself for an effortto reach Driscoll's shack. By and by a ray of light pierced the snow, surprisingly close, and a few moments later he reached the shelter of awall. 

A door opened, somebody seized his arm, and he stumbled into a lightedroom. Throwing off his snow-clogged coat, he sat down in a rude chairand blinked stupidly as he looked about. His head swam, the warmth madehim dizzy, and the tingling of his frozen skin was horribly painful. Then he began to recover and saw that the Indian had gone and FatherLucien sat by a bunk fixed to the wall. The priest wore an old buckskinjacket with a tasseled fringe, and long, soft moccasins, and looked likean Indian until one studied his thin face. His forehead was lined, as ifby thought or suffering, and his skin was darkened by wind and frost, but the Indian's glance is inscrutable and his was calm and frank. Onegot a hint of patience and dignity. 

"Thank you for coming, " he said. "I would not have sent for you on sucha night only that I cannot trust myself to keep awake and neglect justnow might cost Driscoll's life. One sleeps soundly after watching forthree nights. "

Thirlwell glanced at the figure rudely outlined by the dirty blueblanket on the bunk. Driscoll's face was turned to the wall, butThirlwell saw that his black hair was damp. 

"What's the matter with Steve?" he asked. 

"Pneumonia. Two of my people who passed the shack in the daytime saw alight burning. They went in and found him unconscious, an empty whiskybottle on the floor, and the stove burned out. They made a fire and thencame for me. "

"That's something of a compliment, " Thirlwell remarked. "If it hadhappened before you came, they'd probably have cleaned out the shack andleft Steve to freeze. I don't know that he'd have been regretted, and ifthe rumors about his selling the Indians liquor are true, imagine he'syour worst enemy. "

"He's a sick man. Besides, have you often seen my people drunk?"

"No, " said Thirlwell thoughtfully; "I believe only once. But Stevedidn't deny the thing when one of the boys at the mine called him awhisky runner, and I thought it curious, because there's a heavypenalty. I suppose he can't hear what we say?"

"He's unconscious, but has fits of weak delirium. Three or four o'clockmay mark the turning, and if he lives until daybreak I'll feel hopeful. But do you imagine he didn't deny your workman's charge because it wastrue?"

"I'd have expected him to deny it whether it was true or not. That'swhat puzzled me. It looked as if he was willing to be suspected. "

"Driscoll, " said Father Lucien, "is a strange, dark man, but he needsour help and one of us must watch. "

"I'm fresh and will take the first turn, " Thirlwell offered, and pulledhis chair to the stove when Father Lucien, wrapping himself in ablanket, lay down on the floor. 

He found watching dreary and got very cold. The pines roared about theshack and the lamp flickered in the draughts, but the wind was fallingand between the gusts one could hear the river. Drift-ice churned in therapid and broke with jarring crashes upon the rocks. Once or twiceThirlwell thought the sound disturbed Driscoll, because he moved andmuttered brokenly. Thirlwell, however, could not hear what he said, andgetting drowsy with the dry warmth of the stove, struggled to keepawake. He was not sure that he altogether succeeded, for now and thenhis head fell forward and he roused himself with a jerk, but did notthink he really went to sleep. For all that, some hours had passed whenhe moved his chair and looked at his watch. It was quieter outside andthe roar of the river had got distinct. Then Thirlwell heard a blanketthrown back and glanced at the bunk. 

Driscoll had turned his head and the light touched his face, whichglistened with sweat. His eyes were wide open, his lips moved as if hetried to speak, and Thirlwell thought his brain was clear, but saw nextmoment that Driscoll was not watching him. He had a curious, strainedlook and gazed at the door, as if somebody had come in. The strangething was that he looked afraid. 

"I couldn't stop her with the back-stroke, " he said hoarsely. "Sherolled over as she swung across the stream. "

Thirlwell shivered, because it was obvious that the sick man was goingover what had happened the night Strange was drowned. His manner hintedthat he was trying to excuse himself for something he had done. Shrinking back in the bunk, he resumed in a stronger voice: "I couldn'tstop her! The stream was running fast. "

Then he was silent for a time and Thirlwell heard the river rollingthrough its ice-bound channel and the dreary wailing of the pines. Hefelt disturbed; something in Driscoll's voice and look had jarred hisnerves, and it cost him an effort not to waken Father Lucien. It was nottime yet and the priest needed sleep. Driscoll lay quiet with his eyesshut, but presently moved and began to mutter. Thirlwell, leaningforward, caught the words: "I never had the thing; he took it with him. "

The strained voice broke, Driscoll drew a hard breath, and feebly turnedhis face from the light. After this Thirlwell, whose curiosity wasexcited, had less trouble to keep awake, and at length roused FatherLucien, as he had been told. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning, the fire had sunk, and the shack was very cold. The wind had fallen andthe bush was silent; one could hear the loose snow dropping from theboughs. 

Father Lucien crossed the floor and after standing for a time beside thebunk came back and sat down by the stove. 

"You can put in fresh wood; it won't disturb him now, " he said. "He'ssleeping well. I think the danger's over. "

The cord wood snapped and crackled, the front of the stove got red, andsitting in a corner out of the draughts, they began to talk in lowvoices. 

"Driscoll was delirious; he talked strangely, " Thirlwell remarked. "Is asick man's raving all such stuff as dreams?"

"Ah, " said Father Lucien, "we know little yet about the working of thedisordered brain, but the imagination sometimes centers on and distortsthings that have happened. Did you get a hint of intelligence in whatDriscoll said?"

"I did. He said he _never had the thing_. Somebody--Strange, perhaps--_took it with him_. "

"Why do you think he meant Strange?"

"Because his mind was obviously dwelling on the night Strange's canoecapsized. He said it was an accident--he could not stop her swingingacross the stream--as if he were answering somebody who accused him. Thedisturbing thing was that although delirious he looked horribly afraid. "

Father Lucien was silent and Thirlwell went on: "You have been with himfor three nights. Has he talked like this before?"

"Yes, " said Father Lucien, quietly. "You can be trusted. I think he isafraid. "

"Ah!" said Thirlwell, looking hard at him. "Then I wonder why the canoecapsized. Were they drunk, or was there a quarrel? But perhaps you knowand cannot tell!"

"I do not know. Driscoll is not of my flock. He is ill and it is mybusiness to cure his sickness, but I can go no farther. If he has othertroubles, he would refuse my help. "

"That is so, " Thirlwell agreed. "There's a mystery about the capsize, and I'm curious. You see, I met Strange's daughter and she believes inthe lode. "

Father Lucien hesitated, and then went to a shelf. 

"I will show you something, " he said, and gave Thirlwell a small Russianleather wallet. It was well made, but worn and stained as if it had beensoaked in water. "I found this when I undressed Driscoll, " he went on. "It is not a thing you would expect a rude prospector to carry. But Ifound something else. "

He held out a piece of broken stone and Thirlwell as he took it movedabruptly. He knew something about ore and saw that the stone had comefrom the same vein as the specimen Agatha had given him. 

"I think Strange found the silver, " Father Lucien said quietly. 

Thirlwell knitted his brows. He had dark suspicions, but after all theyhad no solid foundation, and he thought it best to copy the missionary'sreserve. 

"We know Driscoll's character, and may have been mistaken about onething. Is it logical to imagine that such a man would feel afraid?"

"Fear sometimes comes without remorse, " said Father Lucien. 

"Superstitious fear, working on a brain disordered by liquor andillness?"

"We will not argue about the proper name. It may be superstition, orsomething greater. I believe that retribution follows the offense. "

Thirlwell looked hard at the other. "Well, I doubt if we will ever knowthe truth about Strange's death. "

"It is possible, " Father Lucien agreed. "Perhaps it is not importantwhether we know or not. One thing is certain: if wrong has been done, itwill be made right, if not by the way we would choose, by another. Ithink we may leave it there. "

"We must, " said Thirlwell dryly. "There is nothing else to do. In themeantime, if I can't be useful, I'm going to sleep. "

Day was breaking when he wakened and Father Lucien told him thatDriscoll was better, but would need careful nursing for a time. 

"Then Scott must come to-night, " Thirlwell replied. "I've had enough ofwatching Steve, and don't mind admitting that your charity is greaterthan mine. "

When he reached the shack he told Scott nothing about what he had heard, because he thought Father Lucien would sooner he did not. The latterknew when to be silent and it would do no good to talk about the matterunless something happened to throw a light upon the mystery. On thewhole, he was relieved when Driscoll, who soon recovered, set off upriver with a half-breed and a loaded hand-sledge. 

CHAPTER VI

FATHER LUCIEN'S ADVENTURE

The snow was firm and the rivers were frozen hard when Thirlwell leftthe mine with two _Metis_ trappers to examine an outcropping reef thatone of the half-breeds had told him about. He was not very hopeful, butagreed with Scott, who thought it might be worth while to look at thereef, since the specimens the _Metis_ had brought showed traces ofsilver and lead. Then Father Lucien had gone to visit some of his peoplewho had camped for their winter trapping far up in the bush, the shackwas lonely, and the frost hindered the work at the mine. 

Winter is not a good time for prospecting, but travel is often easierthen, for the hand-sledges run smoothly on the snow that covers fallentrunks and underbrush and levels the hollows. The muskegs are frozen andone can make fast marches along the rivers and across the lakes. Thirlwell had no tent, but it is not a great hardship for a well-fedman, wrapped in furs, to sleep beside a big fire behind a bank of snow, and he had no misadventures as he pushed into the wilds. The ore provedto be worthless, and soon after he started back he met an Indian whosaid he had seen Father Lucien going south with a dog-team two daysbefore, and had found the trail of another white man near the spot wherehe and his friends had camped. 

The clear, cold weather broke when Thirlwell began his homeward march. The sky was low and leaden, and a biting wind blew from the south. Itdrove the snow-dust into the men's smarting faces and froze their breathon their furs. Their hands stiffened on the sledge-traces and their feetgot numb. The cold got worse when snow began to fall and when theycamped one night Thirlwell noted that they had used more food than hethought. The transport of provisions is perhaps the main difficulty of awinter journey in the bush, for men who brave the arctic cold must begenerously fed. Thirlwell, however, expected to reach the mine beforetheir stores ran out, and set off at daybreak next morning in heavy, driving snow. 

At dusk he camped in a clump of dry willows by a river. The snow hadstopped, but a bitter wind blew down the valley and the cold wasintense. When he had eaten a meal Thirlwell sat with his back to a snowbank and a big fire in front, holding up a moccasin to the blaze. Thiswas necessary because moccasins absorb moisture during a long day'smarch, and the man who puts them on while damp risks getting frozenfeet. 

He was lighting his pipe when the _Metis_ he had sent out for wood cameback with an armful of branches and said he had seen a light up theriver. Thirlwell put on his half-dried moccasins and reluctantly leftthe camp. He had met nobody but an Indian on the trail and was curiousto know who was camping in those solitudes. Besides, it was possiblethat he might be able to get some supplies. 

As he pushed through the willows the savage wind pierced him to thebone. The dry branches rattled and the pines upon the ridge above waileddrearily. The sky was clear and the frozen river, running back, whiteand level, through the dusky forest, glittered in the light of a halfmoon. This was all that Thirlwell saw for a few minutes, and then atwinkling light in the distance fixed his attention. It flickered, gotbrighter, and faded, and he knew it was a fire. 

After a time he and the _Metis_ left the river and climbed the steepbank. The fire had vanished, but the pungent smell of burning wood camedown the biting wind, and by and by trails of smoke drifted past thescattered pines. Then as they struggled through a brake of wild-fruitcanes a blaze leaped up among the the rocks and he saw an indistinctfigure crouching beside a fire. The figure got up awkwardly and a fewmoments later Father Lucien gave Thirlwell his hand. The light touchedhis thin frost-browned face, which was marked by lines that pain haddrawn. 

"It's lucky you came, but, if you don't mind, we'll sit down, " he said. 

"If you're alone, you had better come back to our camp, " Thirlwellreplied. "Where's your truck and the dogs?"

Father Lucien indicated the torn blue blanket that hung from hisshoulder. "All gone except this! But it's a long story and I can'twalk. "

"Then you have nothing to eat?" said Thirlwell sharply. 

"Half a small bannock; I ate the rest this morning. The worst was I hadonly melted snow to drink. "

Thirlwell made a sympathetic gesture, for men who camp in the frozenwoods consume large quantities of nearly boiling tea. Then he turned tothe half-breed and sent him back for his companion and the sledge. 

"We'll haul you down the river as soon as they come, " he said. "By goodluck, we camped in perhaps the only place from which we could have seenyour fire. "

"Ah, " said Father Lucien with a quiet smile, "I do not know if it wasluck alone that made you choose the spot. "

They sat down in the hollow among the rocks, and the missionary shiveredalthough the fire snapped and threw out clouds of smoke close by. Thirlwell gave him his tobacco pouch. 

"In the meantime, you can eat your bannock and then take a smoke. I'mcurious to learn how you lost your outfit and the dogs. "

Father Lucien ate the morsel of hard cake, and afterwards looked up. "Perhaps I had better tell you before your men arrive. Well, I traveledabout with my people as they moved their traps, and one night when verytired I slept in damp moccasins. The fire got low and next morning myfoot was slightly frozen. We were forced to make long marches for somedays, and I found the frost-bite had gone deeper than I thought. Youcan, no doubt, guess what happened. "

Thirlwell nodded. A frozen foot sometimes galls into a sore that willnot heal while the temperature is low. 

"Well, " said Father Lucien, "some time after we pitched camp, a man camein with a dog-team that belonged to the Hudson's Bay. He was not goingfarther but offered to lend me the dogs, if I would leave them with somefriends of his who were trapping to the south. "

"But can you drive dogs?" Thirlwell asked, knowing that skill isrequired to manage the snarling, fighting teams. 

"Not well, but I have driven dogs, and was anxious to reach the minebefore my foot got worse. I thought I might find somebody at theIndians' camp who would go on with me. For a day or two we made goodprogress, though I had trouble to harness the leader in the morning; hewas a stubborn, bad tempered animal, and missed his master's firmcontrol. Then, one evening, we came to a creek. The stream had kept thechannel open here and there, and I thought the ice thin, but it wasopen, rocky country round about, and I saw a clump of pines in thedistance where we could camp. It got dark as we followed the creek andclouds drifted over the moon, but I wanted to find shelter and pushedon. Once or twice the ice cracked ominously, but it held until we cameto a spot where the stream got narrower between high, rocky banks. 

"The leader stopped and growled, at the edge of an open crack. Hisinstinct warned him of danger, but I knew I could not get up the roughbank with my lame foot, and drove him past. As I limped by his side withthe whip, I thought I heard the current gurgle under the ice, but wewent on, the dogs snuffing and treading cautiously. Then there was asoft thud and a splash, the team was jerked back and I saw that thesledge had vanished. I suppose it had broken through a snow-bridge thatour weight had shaken. 

"I scrambled back a yard or two and looked down into the dark gap--Icould not run because of my galled foot. Part of the sledge was coveredby fallen snow, but the fore end rested on something and I leaned downand seized my blanket. There was a bag of food beneath it that I triedto reach, but perhaps I shook the sledge, which began to slip down, andI saw the dogs roll among the traces as they were dragged towards thehole. The leader clawed desperately at the snow, howling as if he beggedmy help, and I felt that I must save him. You have heard a dog howl infear or pain?"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell, "it makes a strong appeal. But I suppose youremembered what you risked by leaving the food?"

"I cut the trace, " Father Lucien went on. "Another mass of snow fell andthe sledge sank out of sight. I imagine the stream swept it under theice, for I could only see the dark water foam. All the food I had excepta bannock in my pocket was lost. I forgot the team for a few moments andwhen I looked up they had gone. "

He paused and Thirlwell made a sign of sympathy. "A nerve-shaking jar!But what became of the dogs?"

"I think they were afraid of the ice. If my camp had been made and afire lighted, they might have come in for warmth, but I was not theirmaster, and perhaps they took the back trail to the spot we startedfrom. Well, as I could not follow, I limped on until I reached the pineclump, where I slept, and then dragged myself across the divide to thiscorner among the rocks. I knew I could go no farther and sat down towait--"

Father Lucien's voice was calm and Thirlwell knew his courage had notfailed. The man had often risked death when duty sent him out across thesnowy wilds. 

"Anyhow, " said Thirlwell, "I'm glad I found you before it was too late. It's something I and others will long be thankful for. "

Father Lucien smiled deprecatingly. "If I had starved, another wouldhave filled my place. Men fall on the trail, but the work goes forward. Perhaps I have said too much about my danger, but I did so because of acurious thing that happened last night. I slept as well as usual forsome hours, and then opened my eyes. I think, however, I was not quiteawake, or else my brain was dull, because I felt no surprise although aman was in my camp. The fire had burned low and he stood back in thegloom where I could not see his face, but a dry branch broke into flameand the light fell on me. The way the man turned his head indicated thathe was looking about the camp, and he must have seen that I had nothingbut my blanket. But he was silent and did not come forward. "

"An Indian?" Thirlwell asked. 

"No, " said Father Lucien. "He was white. "

Thirlwell started. "A white man? It looks impossible. But why didn'tyou--?"

"I did not speak. You see, I had not heard him come, and imagine nowthat I thought I was dreaming and was afraid to wake and find my hope ofhelp had gone. After a few moments, he stepped back very quietly intothe shadow, and I called out. There was no answer and I got up. It tooka little time--the blanket was round my legs and my foot hurt--and whenI stumbled away from the fire he had vanished and there was no sound inthe bush. Soon afterwards I fell down in the snow, and lay until thecold roused me to an effort and I crawled back to the fire. By and by Iwent to sleep again and did not waken until daybreak. "

"Then, " said Thirlwell, meaningly, "you could find no tracks. "

"I could not, " Father Lucien agreed. "That was not strange, becauselight snow was falling when I got up and the wind was fresh. Still Ifound this; it shows I was not dreaming. "

He gave Thirlwell a wooden pipe with a nickel band round the stem. 

"Ah!" said Thirlwell, who examined the frozen pipe and scraped out alittle half-burned tobacco with his knife. "Fifty-cents, at a settlementstore! Not the kind of things the Indians buy, and this is not the stuffthey generally smoke. Besides, you would know an Indian, whether hespoke or not, by his figure and his pose. "

Father Lucien said nothing, but looked at him with a quiet smile, andThirlwell resumed: "Well, there was a man; a white man. But the thing'snot to be understood. He knew you were starving and stole away! Thenwhere did he come from? There's no white man except Driscoll between theHudson's Bay post and the mine, and you saved Driscoll's life. "

"When I last heard of him, Driscoll was trapping about Stony Creek, along way to the east. "

Thirlwell knitted his brows and lighted his pipe, which he had put nearthe fire to thaw, and there was silence until the _Metis_ arrived withthe sledge, when they took the missionary to their camp and gave himfood. After he had eaten they lay down with their feet to the fire andThirlwell said: "If the man had seen your fire and come to borrowsomething or find out who you were, he would have spoken. There'snobody I can think of who has not some grounds for wishing you well, butit looks as if the fellow thought you were asleep and meant to let youstarve. "

"It looks like that, " Father Lucien agreed with a curious calm. "Perhapswe shall find out who he was some day, and if not, it does not matter. "

Then he drew the blanket across his face and went to sleep. 

CHAPTER VII

AGATHA'S RESOLVE

Agatha looked pale and tired as she sat, rather languidly, in an easychair in Mrs. Farnam's pretty room. There was bitter frost outside, butthe new wooden house, standing among the orchards of South Ontario, waswarm, and furnished with a regard for comfort and artistic taste. Mrs. Farnam was proud of her house and good-humored husband, who gave way toher except about the growing of fruit. On this subject, she had toldAgatha, he was extraordinarily obstinate. She had some tact and muchkindly feeling, but had been a teacher and believed she had a talent formanaging other people's business. In fact, she had tried to manageAgatha's, but was forced to admit without much success. Agatha, shesaid, was difficult. 

For all that, it had given her keen satisfaction to bring the girl therewhen she was threatened by a nervous breakdown in consequence ofover-work. Agatha had been her confidential friend when they were atschool, but since Mabel married she had sometimes felt that theconfidence had been rather one-sided. She had told Agatha much, but thelatter had said little about her future plans. 

"I don't think you're very much better yet, " Mrs. Farnam said after apause in the talk, for she was seldom silent long. 

Agatha languidly looked about the room, noting the warm color of thepolished floor, on which the light of the shaded lamp lay in aglistening pool, the fine skin rugs, and thick curtains. She had not anexaggerated love of comfort and her Toronto rooms were bare, but sheowned that Mabel had a pretty house. Besides, she had a husband whoindulged her and was always kind. 

"It's very nice to be here, and I shall soon get strong, " she said. "Isuppose I rather overdid things, but the examination was coming and Iwas anxious my girls should pass well. "

"From the school managers' point of view, that was a laudable aim, but Idon't know that it was worth injuring your health for. You used to agreethat managers often expected too much from a teacher. "

"I'm afraid I had a selfish object, " said Agatha, smiling. "I wanted abetter post that will soon be vacant. "

"Ambition sometimes deceives one. I know the post you mean and the girlwho's going. It carries duties that wore her out. "

"And better pay, " said Agatha. 

Mrs. Farnam gave her a thoughtful look. "Well, that's plausible; but Inever thought you greedy. Why do you want the extra pay?"

"I have a use for it, " Agatha replied with a twinkle. "I don't suppose Ishall carry out my plans, and after all, they are too ridiculous to talkabout. Anyhow, you would think so. You're very practical. "

"People are curious, " Mrs. Farnam remarked. "I'm willing to admit I'mpractical, but I married and love my husband, while you look romanticand in many ways are not. You risk your health for money, and I don'tthink any man ever roused a tender thought in you. There's Jake, forexample--"

She stopped and Agatha was silent for a few moments, although she wasmoved. She was tired and felt lonely and that life was hard. Instinctivelongings that she had fought against awoke. She wanted somebody toshelter her and brush her troubles away. Mabel had her husband, whom sheloved; but she had chosen a rocky path that she must walk alone. 

"I hope Jake is getting on well in British Columbia, " she said. "Isuppose you hear from him?"

"He writes to us regularly and is getting on very well. Finds his workabsorbing and sees a chance of promotion, but it's obvious that he's notsatisfied. I don't know if you feel flattered, but he can't forget you. "

Agatha stopped her. Jake was Mrs. Farnam's cousin, and had been ateacher of science until he got a post at a mine. He had helped Agathain her studies, and she blamed herself for imagining that commoninterests and ambitions accounted for their friendship. In fact, it wassomething of a shock when, on getting his new post, Jake had asked herto marry him. 

"I'm not flattered but sorry, " she replied. "I liked Jake very much--onewas forced to like him--but after all that doesn't go far enough. And, you see, I didn't know--"

"I believe you really didn't know. It would be ridiculous to admit thisabout any other girl, but, in a way, you're not quite normal. You're tooabsorbed in your occupation and haven't a woman's natural feelings. Youtook all Jake had to give and were surprised and half indignant when heasked something from you. "

Agatha wondered rather drearily whether Mrs. Farnam's reproaches werenot justified; but the latter went on: "Perhaps, however, your coldnessis encouraging. I don't suppose you have met anybody you liked, or feltyou could like, better than Jake. "

"No, " said Agatha, and then hesitated. Since Mabel was capable of givingher cousin a hint, she saw that frankness was needed and remembered thefortnight she had spent with Thirlwell by the lake. She had thoughtabout him since; indeed she had done so oftener than she knew. 

"I shall never marry Jake, " she said. "Just now it seems unlikely that Ishall marry anybody else. "

Mrs. Farnam made a sign of disappointed acquiescence. "Very well! That'sdone with. If there's anything more to be said about your plans for thenext few months, your brother will say it. I'm glad George is coming, because he's sensible and will deal with you firmly. Now I'll go and getsupper. "

She left Agatha thoughtful. George, whose business occasionally broughthim into the neighborhood, had written to say that he was coming andwould stop the night, and Agatha wondered what he wanted to talk about. He would certainly give her good advice, but they seldom saw alike andshe braced herself for a struggle, although she was fond of her brother. 

Supper in the bright cedar-paneled room was a cheerful function, and asshe looked about and joined in the talk Agatha was conscious of afeeling that was hardly strong enough for envy or actual discontent, buthad a touch of both. Mabel looked happy and modestly proud. She wasobviously satisfied and in a way enjoyed all that a woman could wishfor. The house was pretty; Farnam was indulgent and showed his wife adeference that Agatha liked. He owned a large orchard and had sufficientcapital to cultivate it properly. George Strange was marked by acomplacent, self-confident manner that his urbanity somewhat toned down. He dealt in artificial fertilizers and farming implements, and it wassaid that he never lost a customer and seldom made a bad debt. 

In character, George was unlike his sister, because while unimaginativehe generally saw where his advantage lay. For all that, he was just andoften generous. He was married, and talked to Mrs. Farnam about his wifeand child when he was not eating with frank enjoyment and tellinghumorous stories. While the others laughed and joked Agatha mused. Theyhad commonplace aims and duties that brought them happiness; but she hadbeen given a harder task. Still it was a task that could not be shirked;she had accepted it and must carry it out. 

Some time after supper Mrs. Farnam went away, and Farnam presently madean excuse for following his wife. When they had gone George remarked: "Imust pull out to-morrow, but Florence sends a message. She wants you tostop with us for two or three months. "

"Florence is kind, " said Agatha. "I would like to go, but you know it'simpossible. "

"I don't know, " George rejoined in an authoritative voice. "I'm yourelder brother and it's my duty to see you do what you ought. To beginwith, I looked up your doctor and he told me you needed a long rest. "

"It can't be got. I must go back to school when the holidays are over. "

"Wait a bit! None of us is as indispensable as we sometimes think. "

Agatha felt half amused and half annoyed. George often made remarks likethis and imagined that they clinched his arguments. She saw that he hadbeen meddling. 

"What did you do after seeing the doctor?" she asked suspiciously. 

"I went to your principal at the school. She said she would talk to themanagers and had no doubt that if it was needful they would let you offfor a time. Now as I can fix the thing with the doctor, there's noreason you shouldn't quit work and stop with us. "

Agatha colored angrily. George meant well, but he had gone too far. Shefelt this worse because she was tempted to give way. She liked herbrother's wife and needed a rest. 

"Well, " she said, "I suppose I ought to have expected something of thekind, but it's comforting to feel that your efforts are wasted. I shallbe quite well in a week or two and am going back to school. For onething, I shall need some money before very long. "

George looked hard at her. "You don't say why. Still if it's money thatprevents you taking the proper line, I might lend you some--" He stoppedand resumed with suspicion: "But I won't give you a dollar to waste insearching for father's silver lode!"

"I am going to look for the lode, " said Agatha quietly. 

"I hoped you had got over that foolishness, " George rejoined, throwinghis cigarette on the floor, although he was generally careful aboutsuch things. "Now listen to me for a few minutes, and try to besensible!"

"One misses much by always being sensible, " Agatha remarked with aresigned smile. 

"It often saves one's relations trouble. Anyhow, the blamed lode hasthrown its shadow on all our lives, and I don't mean to stand off, saying nothing, and see you spoil yours. "

"You escaped the shadow, because you never believed in the lode. "

"I certainly didn't and don't believe in it now! For all that, I sawfather's restlessness and mother's fears. "

"Ah!" said Agatha, "I didn't think--"

"I allow I haven't your imagination, but I can see a thing that'sobvious. Father thought he hid his feelings, but mother knew andgrieved. She was afraid he would give us up and go back to the North. "

"No!" said Agatha with firmness; "she was not afraid he would give usup! Father never failed in his duty. "

"Then she was certainly afraid he'd die in the bush; as he did. She knewwhat the prospectors were up against, and though she smiled when hetalked about the ore, I knew she had an anxious heart. I don't claimthat the anxiety broke her down, but it made a heavy load and helped. "

"Yet when she was very ill she did not ask him to promise he wouldn'tgo. "

"She did not mind then, " said George in a quiet voice. "She was dyingand we had grown up. But there was nothing selfish about heracquiescence. I think she was glad to set him free, because she lovedhim and knew what he had borne. He was a dreamer and not a businessman. She had run the store and taken care of him, and knew he would belonely after she had gone. Besides, I sometimes feel she thought hewould follow and rejoin her soon. It did not matter by what road hecame. "

Agatha was silent for some moments because she was surprised and moved. George had a keener imagination and saw farther than she thought. Itlooked as if he had known her mother best. 

"You loved her well and so you understood, " she said. "But the troublesshe bore are done with, and now I stand alone. I have noresponsibilities; my life is mine!"

George's face got red. "Well, perhaps I don't count for much, but wedidn't cut loose when I married. I have a sister as well as a wife. "

"I'm sorry, George, " said Agatha, putting her hand on his arm. "I didn'tmean to hurt. "

"Very well! I'm not a sentimental fellow; let's be practical. You can'tlocate the ore, because it isn't there; but you may spoil your healthand get soured by disappointment. Then, if you stop long, you'll loseyour post and ruin your career. The blamed silver may become a fixedillusion. That's what I'm really afraid of most. In some ways, you'revery like father. "

"You're persuaded the silver was an illusion?"

"I am persuaded, " George declared. "Men who live in the frozen woods getcredulous and believe extraordinary things, and tales of wonderful lodesare common in the mining belts. Father heard something of the kind andbrooded over it until he came to believe he had located the ore. He hadtoo much imagination and wasn't practical. "

"But he gave me some specimens he found and they carry rich metal. "

"I allow he thought he found them; but that's a different thing. "

Agatha smiled. "Perhaps your theory's plausible, but it has some weakpoints. "

"Anyhow, if father couldn't locate the vein he claimed to have struck, Ireckon there's not much chance of your doing so. "

"I mean to try, " said Agatha, with ominous quietness. 

George saw that she was resolute, and although he was obstinate knew hewas beaten. Agatha could not be moved when she looked like that. 

"I can't allow that you know best, but guess I may as well quitarguing, " he remarked with a resigned shrug. "You'll come along and stopwith Florence before you go back to Toronto?"

"I will come for a week, " Agatha agreed, and George went away to lookfor Farnam. 

CHAPTER VIII

THE BURGLAR

George went away next morning and a few days afterwards Farnam walkedhome with his wife and Agatha from a visit to a neighbor's homestead. When they reached the edge of Farnam's orchard they stopped and lookedabout. An extensive clearing had been cut out of the forest, the eveningwas clear and cold, and the pines threw long blue shadows on the snow. The young fruit trees ran back in orderly rows, and a frozen creek thatcrossed the orchard was picked out in delicate shades of gray. Farnamtold Agatha that he found the creek useful for irrigation, because hehad known the apples to shrivel on the trees in a dry summer. 

At the edge of the bush a group of men were at work. The thud of theiraxes jarred on the quietness, and the rattle of a chain rang musicallythrough the shadows as a teamster threw the links across a log. Hishorses stood close by, with a thin cloud of steam rising from theirbodies. 

"Lumber worth sawing is getting scarce, and we'll float the best logsdown to the mill when the thaw comes, " Farnam said to Agatha. "In themeantime, we want them off the ground before we clean up the pieces theboys have slashed. One gets at this kind of work in winter when nothingmuch can be done, and I must be ready to break new soil for planting inthe spring. "

"You are spending a good deal of money, " Mrs. Farnam interrupted. "Youhaven't been paid for the last shipments to England yet. "

"Mabel's cautious, " Farnam remarked to Agatha. "She's a pretty goodbusiness woman, but doesn't understand that the more you spend on yourjob the more you get. Anyhow, you ought to get more, but I admit you'resometimes badly stung. " Then he turned to his wife. "I must go up andsee the shippers in Montreal; in fact, now you have Agatha with you, Ithink I'll start to-morrow. "

"Very well, " said Mrs. Farnam. "I hate to be left alone, particularlywhen the nights are long. " She indicated the teamster. "I see you havehired another man; that's a fresh extravagance. How long have you hadhim?"

"A week or two; thought I told you when he came. He's a pretty goodworker. "

"You didn't tell me; I imagine you didn't want me to know! He'scertainly not what the boys call a looker and his face doesn't inspireme with much confidence. Besides, he's lame. "

Agatha glanced at the man, who came towards them, walking with a slightlimp beside his horses as they hauled the log across the snow. He had asullen air and did not look up as he passed. 

"He is not handsome, " she agreed, and asked: "Where do the men live?"

"We have fixed up this lot in the packing shed; my regular hands leaveme in winter, " Farnam replied, indicating a wooden building at somedistance from the house. "However, we'll go home. There are someaccounts I must examine before I start for Montreal. "

They went on, and when after supper Mrs. Farnam grumbled at being leftwithout a man in the house, Farnam took out an automatic pistol andexplained how it was used. 

"I don't know why I bought the thing, unless it was to satisfy Mabel, "he said to Agatha. "It's curious, but while she could handle mutinouspupils and bluff the managers, she quakes if a door rattles on a windynight. One's rather safer in our homestead than a Montreal hotel; butMabel has lived in the cities and the Wild West tradition dies hard. Asa matter of fact, there never was a Wild West in Canada. " He opened thepistol. "You put the cartridge shells in like this--"

"You can show Agatha how it works; I won't touch the thing, " Mrs. Farnamdeclared. "She's something of a sport, but I'm a womanly woman, exceptwhen I teach school. "

Farnam laughed. "On the whole, it might be better to leave thecartridges out. If somebody did break in, all you need do would be topretend you were asleep. Everybody in the neighborhood knows where myoffice is and an intelligent burglar begins at the safe. There's nomoney in mine now. "

After a little good-humored banter, Agatha took the pistol and Farnamwent to his office at the other end of the house. Next day he startedfor Montreal, and at night Mrs. Farnam made Agatha come with her whileshe examined the fastenings of the doors and windows. The house was lowand the roof of the veranda in front reached nearly to the secondfloor. Nothing disturbing happened, and on the next night Agatha sat upafter Mrs. Farnam had gone to bed, reading the letters Strange hadwritten her from the North. 

There were not many, and some were marked by a careless style thatobscured the meaning. This puzzled Agatha, who remembered that herfather had generally talked with lucid clearness. Still they helped herto picture the life he had led in the wilds, and she read them often, trying to follow on a map his wanderings in search of the lode. Theytold her more about the country than the books she read, and she hadread a number, because the subject had a fascination. All she couldlearn would be of use when she came to carry out her plans. 

When she tied up the letters and looked at the clock it was later thanshe thought. The room felt cold and she shivered, but sat still for afew moments, musing. The house was quiet and she imagined Mrs. Farnamwas asleep; but it was snowing, for she heard the flakes beat upon thewindow. Looking round the comfortable room, she thought of the men whobraved the rigors of winter in the frozen wilds. Thirlwell, for example, was bearing such cold as was never felt in South Ontario. 

She started, for there was a noise overhead, as if a door had beengently opened, but next moment pulled herself together. Mabel had notgone to sleep as she had thought, and picking up an electric torch, sheput out the lamp. When she was half way up the stairs she heard somebodymoving about, but it was not like Mabel's step. The movements seemedcautious, and there was something awkward about them. Agatha, who worefelt-soled slippers, stopped and listened, while her heart beat fast. She heard nothing now, but felt alarmed, and wondered what she ought todo. A call would probably bring an answer that would banish her fears;but suppose it was not Mabel she had heard? There was, however, anotherway of finding out, and with something of an effort she went upstairs. 

Mrs. Farnam's room was on the landing, and Agatha turned the handlecautiously. The door would not open, and it was obvious that Mabel hadlocked herself in. Then the latch slipped back with a jar that soundedhorribly loud, and she waited, trembling and trying to keep calm. SinceMabel had not heard the noise, it was plain that she was asleep andsomebody else was in the house. Still Mabel, if awakened, would not beof much help, and remembering that the pistol was in her room, Agathawent down the passage. 

The passage was very cold, a curtain swayed in an icy draught, and shefound the door of her room open. Stopping for a moment, she thoughtthere was somebody inside. This, however, might be a trick of herimagination, and although she wanted to steal away, she knew that if shedid so she would lose her self-respect and the confidence she would needfor her journey to the North. She must brave real dangers in the wildsand live among rude men. Besides, the pistol was on a table near thedoor. 

Somebody moved as she went in, for there was a rustle and a boardcracked, but her hand touched the pistol and she turned on the powerfulelectric torch. As the beam of light swept across the room she saw thatthe drawer of a small writing-table had been pulled out. Then the beampassed on and touched a man kneeling beside her open trunk. The clothesshe had not unpacked were scattered on the floor, as if the man had beenlooking for something, and a lantern stood near his hand. She thought hehad just put it out, since she noted a smell of oil. 

Now she had found the intruder, she was less afraid than angry that hehad pulled about her clothes with his coarse, dirty hands. She knew him, for he was the teamster she had seen in the orchard. The beam thatpicked him out, however, left the rest of the room in gloom, and it washard to hold the torch steady. 

"Light your lantern, but don't move from where you are, " she said. "Ihave a pistol. "

He did as he was told, using an old-fashioned sulphur match that smeltdisagreeably but made no noise. The light spread and showed her standingwith the pistol in her hand, but when she risked a glance about, nothingseemed to have been disturbed except the writing-table and her trunk. 

"Now you may get up, but don't be rash, " she said quietly and was gladto feel she could control her voice. 

He got up and waited, watching her sullenly. 

"What have you taken?" she asked. 

"Nothing! There was nothing worth taking!"

Agatha forced a mocking smile. "Worn clothes won't sell for much and Ihave no jewelry. " Then she raised the pistol. "Don't move! I mean you tokeep still. "

He stood motionless, with a kind of dull resignation, although shethought she had noted a curious shrinking when she spoke, as ifsomething in her voice had disturbed him. 

"I don't know what to do with you, " she resumed. "No doubt you knew Mr. Farnam is away, but the pistol magazine is full. To begin with, you hadbetter empty your pockets. Pull them inside out!"

He obeyed and dropped a pipe, a tobacco tin, and two or three silvercoins. 

"Those are mine; I've corralled nothing of yours. "

"So it seems!" Agatha rejoined. "For all that, you can leave the thingsthere. How did you get in?"

"Over the veranda roof. You hadn't fixed the shutter in the middle. "

Agatha pondered for a few moments. The fellow did not look afraid, butseemed to recognize that the advantage was with her. This was lucky, because she could not keep it up long and wanted to get rid of him. 

"Well, " she said, "I think you had better go out by the window youopened. Walk down the passage in front of me and don't try to turnround. "

He did so until he reached the window, which opened to the side. Thehinges were in good order and made no noise when he pushed back theframe. 

"Get out, " said Agatha. "I'll shoot if you stop. "

He climbed quietly over the ledge, his lantern flickered and went out, and next moment Agatha saw nothing but the driving snow. Then she closedthe window and fastened the shutter in frantic haste, and afterwardsleaned against the wall, trembling and breathing hard. Still the man hadgone and she thought he would not come back. Pulling herself togethershe returned to her room. 

Although she had driven the man away, she locked the door, and when shehad lighted the lamp sat down to recover her calm. There was no use inwakening Mrs. Farnam, and by and by she began to look about. The papersin the writing-table had been thrown upon the floor; her trunk was emptyand the clothes it had held were scattered. The man had obviously beensearching for something, and this was curious, because one would notexpect to find jewelry in a writing-table, and a bureau with three orfour drawers had not been opened. Then she noticed her father's letterslying in a bundle on the table, and put them back in the trunk fromwhich she had recently taken them. After this, she re-packed herclothes, and sitting down again tried to remember all that had happened. 

There was something puzzling about the adventure. To begin with, shecould not see why the man had come to her room and what he expected toget. A clever thief would have gone to Farnam's office. Then she thoughthe was not a coward; he had given way because he was cool enough to seethat he was in her power and resistance would lead to his getting shot. Yet he had seemed to shrink when he heard her voice. She reflected withfaint amusement that her voice was not harsh, and she had studied itscontrol as part of her training when she began to teach. The littletricks of tone and gesture one used to overawe young girls would notfrighten a man. For all that, when she first spoke there was a hint offear in his furtive eyes. 

Agatha let this go, and pondered her own feelings and the part she hadplayed. She had, of course, been frightened, but had preserved herjudgment and seen that she could control the situation so long as shekept cool. The man had not a pistol, and she could have fired three orfour shots before he could seize her; but he might have tried to seizeher had she not shown that she was ready to shoot. It looked as if shehad the nerve and confidence to face a crisis, which was satisfactory, since she would need these qualities when she traveled through thewilds. She had, however, long trained herself for this object; in fact, as far as possible, she made her life a preparation for the adventurousjourney. Then she remembered her brother's warning and wondered whetherit was justified. There was, perhaps, a danger of her dwelling too muchupon the lode. She must not let it possess her mind and make her deaf toother claims. One ought to keep a proper balance. In the meantime, shewas tired, and feeling limp with the reaction from the strain. She gotup and shortly afterwards went to bed. 

CHAPTER IX

AGATHA ASKS ADVICE

Agatha said nothing next morning about her adventure, although she heardthat the lame man had left the packing shed when his companions wereasleep and had not come back. Next day Farnam returned and in theevening, when Mrs. Farnam was busy, she found an opportunity of talkingto him alone. He looked thoughtful when he heard her story. 

"You did right not to tell Mabel; but I certainly can't understand thething, " he said. "I reckon you have your imagination under pretty goodcontrol. "

"I didn't imagine I saw the man, " Agatha rejoined with a smile. 

Farnam nodded. "We'll take that for granted. I wanted a teamster andhired the fellow when he asked for the job. He worked well, but I don'tknow where he came from or where he's gone, and it would scare Mabel ifwe put the police on his trail. Besides, I guess he lit out by the trainin the morning that catches the west-bound express. "

"Since he knew you were away, why did he wait instead of coming as soonas you left?"

"He probably reckoned there was a risk of his being heard on a calm, frosty night; I understand it was blowing fresh and snowing when hecame. The snow would cover his tracks. But I'm puzzled. It's strangethat he took nothing and left my safe alone!"

"Do you think he knew where the safe is?"

"Sure, " said Farnam. "The boys come to my office for their pay. " Hepaused and added thoughtfully: "Looks as if the fellow had an object forsearching your room!"

"I wonder whether he knew I was a school teacher, " Agatha remarked. "Ifhe did know, it complicates the thing, because teachers are not oftenrich. Besides, how did he learn which was my room?"

"That wouldn't be hard, " Farnam replied. "The boys get talking, evenings, with Mabel's kitchen help and I guess she tells them all aboutthe house and our habits. The girl's a powerful talker. "

He lighted his pipe and then resumed: "Well, my notion is he expected tofind something in your room; something that he thought worth more thanmoney. "

"But I have nothing valuable, " Agatha objected, with a laugh. "Now Iremember, I made him empty his pockets and he left two half-dollars! Itwasn't a very big fine, and I can send the dollar to some charity. "

"I can't see an explanation, and we'll have to let it go; but the manwill find trouble waiting if he comes back. Let me know right away ifanybody gets after you like that again. "

Agatha said she would do so, and hearing Mrs. Farnam's step in thepassage, they began to talk about something else. 

A week later, Agatha went to visit George, and then feeling braced bythe holiday, resumed her duties in Toronto. Soon afterwards, she sat inher room one evening in a thoughtful mood. The house was on theoutskirts of the city and she heard cheerful voices and the jingle ofsleigh-bells on the road. The moon was nearly full and riding partieswere going out for a drive across the glittering snow, while where thewind had swept it clear ice yachts were, no doubt, skimming about thelake. Agatha envied the happy people who could enjoy such sports, and ithad cost her something to admit that they were not for her. A ticket fora concert to which she had thought of going was stuck in a pictureframe, but she was not in the humor for music, and putting down the bookshe held, leaned back languidly in her chair. 

The room was small, plainly furnished, and shadowy, for the lamp had adeep shade that confined the light to a narrow circle. Three or fourbooks lay upon the table and a map of the North-West Territoriesoccupied the end in front of Agatha. It was not a very good map and thenatural features of the country were sketchily indicated, for belts ofthe northern wilderness had not been thoroughly surveyed, but she hadopened it for half an hour's relaxation. After that, she must get towork. 

She was not very strong yet, but had undertaken extra duties thatnecessitated private study. Now she felt tired after lecturing a classof absent-minded girls, and closing her eyes, abandoned herself to moodythought. George's warning was bearing fruit. Agatha was young, but knewone soon got jaded and youth slipped away. There was a risk of herspending in unrewarded efforts the years that ought to be happiest, andthen finding herself old and soured. Still, when she came to think ofit, she had recognized this and felt a vague dissatisfaction with herlot before George had talked to her. In fact, the dissatisfaction hadbegun soon after she wandered through the bush and paddled about thelake with Thirlwell. 

For all that, she was not going to give up the resolve she had made longago. She owed her father much, and must carry out the task he hadunconsciously left her. She meant to search the country he had traveledfor the silver vein; and then, if she was persuaded it could not befound, she would have paid her debt and be free to lead the life thatothers led. In the meantime, she was, so to speak, set apart, like anun, from common joys and sorrows by a vow that must be kept. Perhapsthis was an exaggeration, but it was partly true. 

Banishing her thoughts, she put away the map and opened her book, butsoon afterwards a servant brought in a card and stated that a man wishedto see her. On the card was printed _John Stormont_ and the number of apost-office box at Winnipeg. 

"I don't know Mr. Stormont, " Agatha remarked. "But if he wants to seeme, you may show him in. "

A few moments later a man entered the room. He was young and neatlydressed, and smiled urbanely as he bowed. 

"Miss Strange, I suppose? If you are not much occupied, I hope you cangive me a few minutes. "

Agatha, feeling curious, indicated a chair and studied him when he satdown. His voice was rather harsh, his glance was quick, and his alertmanner implied self-confidence. There was, however, nothing else to beremarked about him, and she thought him a common type of young businessman. 

"I am not engaged just now, " she replied. 

"Thank you, " said Stormont. "Perhaps I'd better state that I'm prettywell known in Winnipeg, where I do business in real estate and sometimesundertake the development of mineral claims. I've recently put over twoor three big transactions in that line. "

"But Manitoba is a farming country. "

"Certainly; the prairie belt. The eastern strip, running along the edgeof the Territories from Lake of the Woods, is different. There the rocksbreak out among the pine forests and in the last few years prospectorshave found valuable minerals. Some are being worked, and I expect wewill soon hear of fresh discoveries. I understand you are the daughterof Gordon Strange, who found a silver lode in North Ontario. "

"I am his daughter; but I believe the lode was not in Ontario. "

"Then it was in the neighboring Territories. I expect your father oftentalked to you about his find. "

"He did, " said Agatha. "Still I don't see--"

Stormont smiled. "You wonder where I am leading you? Well, it's part ofmy occupation to investigate mining propositions, and where the ownerswant to sell, to find a buyer. Sometimes I lend them money to improvethe claim. In fact, I imagine you would find me useful in many ways. "

"I cannot sell the lode before I know where it is. "

"That's obvious, " Stormont agreed. "The difficulty, however, might beovercome, and that's where I could help. But, to begin with, am I tounderstand your father altogether failed to relocate the claim? Althoughhe filed no record, he may have found a clue. "

Agatha gave him a keen glance. He had said nothing to excite muchsuspicion, but she felt that he was going too fast and asking too manyquestions. 

"I did not see him after he went back to the North. I suppose you knowhe lost his life on his last journey?"

Stormont made a sympathetic gesture. "I heard so. But, no doubt, hewrote to you and told you about his prospecting. "

"Yes, " said Agatha, with some reserve. "He sent me letters. "

"Then I expect he told you where he went. It's possible that a study ofthe letters would give an experienced prospector a useful hint. "

Agatha pondered. She had, with the help of her map, followed Strange'sjourneys, and his letters showed where the silver was not to be found, which eliminated large belts of country. Then if Stormont knew muchabout mining and was accustomed to negotiate the sale of claims, hiscuriosity implied that her father's belief in the lode was wellgrounded. This was encouraging, but the man was a stranger and she felta vague distrust. 

"The person who finds a vein of ore and files his record is registeredas its owner when he has complied with the legal formalities, " she said. 

"That is so, " Stormont agreed with a smile. "You feel that if you partedwith the letters, you would run some risk of losing the claim? Well, onemust trust one's agent to some extent, and I'll make you twopropositions. You can give me all the information you have about theore, and, if I think it worth while, I will bear the cost of prospectingand development, and give you a large share of the profits when themine is worked. Or I'll pay you a fixed sum for the letters and anyclues you can supply. "

"After you have read the letters?"

"Certainly. You can't expect me to make a plunge of this kind in thedark. Anyhow, if you decide on the first plan, you will be a partner andhave some control. It's plain that you will benefit by my experience. "

For a few moments Agatha was tempted to agree. She needed help and couldnot begin the search for some time, while a man who knew all aboutmining could undertake it with a better chance of success. Still she sawthat much depended on the man's honesty, and she had no grounds fortrusting Stormont. 

"Can you give me two or three weeks?" she asked. "I want to consult myfriends. "

"The delay might upset my plans. For one thing, it would be necessary toget as much work as possible done before the thaw comes. Prospecting isdifficult in winter, but it's considerably easier traveling when therivers are frozen, and first of all we want to find the spot. I daresayyou could give me some landmarks that would help us. "

Agatha hesitated. Strange had often described the neighborhood where hehad found the ore, and she saw that what she knew about it might beimportant. Stormont's explanation of his anxiety to begin the search wasplausible; but it was possible he wanted to prevent her asking advice. 

"I must wait until I know what my friends think, " she insisted. 

"Although the loss of time may spoil our chance of locating the ore?"

"Yes, " said Agatha firmly. "I must run the risk. "

Stormont got up. "Very well! I don't know if we'll be able to doanything when you make your decision, but you can write to me. In themeantime, I think you ought to promise that you won't negotiate withanybody else. "

"I will promise this, " said Agatha and knitted her brows when he wentout. 

She was half afraid she had been too prudent and let a good offer go by;but although it might bring her trouble and disappointment, she wouldsooner look for the ore herself. She had sometimes shrunk from the task, but after all it was her duty. Then she could not ask George for advice. He had never believed in the lode and would, no doubt, tell her she waslucky to get an offer, and had better make the best bargain she could. Farnam knew nothing about mining; he was absorbed in his orchard, andMabel now and then declared that his judgment was only worth trustingabout fruit trees. 

Agatha paused and admitted that she had from the beginning meant to askThirlwell. She could trust him; he was honest, but this was not all. When he talked about important things he had a quiet, decided mannerthat she liked. He would not be daunted by obstacles, and if herresolution wavered, he would not let her shirk. She did not think himclever, but he would somehow carry out what he undertook. It was curiousthat after a fortnight of his society she knew him so well; but she didknow he was trustworthy and there was nothing more to be said. 

Since a letter might not reach him for some time, she had better writeat once, and she got some paper and began. It was easy to write toThirlwell, and she told him about the lame man who had broken into thehouse, before she came to Stormont's offer. Indeed, when she stopped shewas surprised to see how much she had said. After fastening the envelopeshe got up and went to the window, where she drew the thick curtainbehind her and looked out. 

The moon was higher up the sky and the roofs glittered in the silverlight. Half the street lay in shadow, a belt of grayish blue, but therest sparkled where the sleigh-shoes had run. A sleigh came up with aload of girls and young men in blanket-coats and furs. They seemed to betalking and laughing, but Agatha no longer envied them; the depressionshe had felt had gone. Then as the sleigh went past with a chime ofbells she tried to follow her letter on its journey to the North. 

After it left the railroad it would lie in a pack on a half-breed'sshoulders, or perhaps in a skin bag on a hand-sledge, in front of whichmen with snowshoes marched. It would travel up winding rivers betweendark walls of ragged pines, across frozen lakes, and among the rocks onhigh divides. Then the tired men would stop at a cluster of shacksbeside a shaft and an ore-dump in the wilds, and she wondered whatThirlwell would think when he opened the envelope; whether he would bepleased or not. 

But this was indulging idle sentiment that she had meant to avoid, andshe went back to the table and opened her books. Thirlwell's answerwould not arrive for some weeks, and if she went north, summer wouldcome before she could start. In the meantime, she had her pupils toteach. The subject for the next morning's lesson was difficult andneeded careful study. 

CHAPTER X

THIRLWELL GETS A LETTER

A dreary wind wailed about the shack, and now and then the iron roofcracked as it shrank and wrenched its fastenings in the bitter cold. Theroom was not warm, although the front of the stove glowed a bright red, and after supper Thirlwell pulled his chair between it and the wall. Hehad been out for some hours with snowshoe and rifle, but had seennothing to shoot. The white desolation was empty of life, and silentexcept for the wind among the pine-tops. 

"I'd meant to look into the Snake Creek muskegs, but the cold drove meback, " he said. "In summer one's bitten by sand-flies and mosquitoes; inwinter one runs some risk of freezing to death. I wonder now and thenwhether mining's worth the hardship and why we stop here. "

"Unprofitable mining isn't logically worth much hardship, " Scottremarked. "But don't you mean you wonder why you came back?"

"No, " said Thirlwell, with a touch of embarrassment; "that was prettyobvious. I was offered a good post in England, but it meant I'd bedependent on a man I don't like. A rough life with liberty is betterthan luxurious servitude. "

"The latter has some advantages, " Scott rejoined. "To-night, forexample, you could enjoy a good dinner instead of moldy beans andrancid pork, put on clean clothes, and go to a concert or theater. Thenyou'd get up next morning in a warm room, with a bath and hot water athand, instead of freezing by a stove that had burned low. Anyhow, admitting that you're obstinate and hate to go where others want, I've anotion that you felt you had to see me out when you refused that post. "

"Oh, well, " said Thirlwell awkwardly. "In a sense, I was bound--"

"By your scruples? But we'll let it go, " Scott rejoined. "I expect we'reall to some extent the slaves of an idea. I'd pull out to-morrow if Ididn't feel I had to make my mining venture good before I quit. All thesame, it looks as if I'd save my money by stopping now. "

He looked up, for there was a knock at the door and a man who had gonedown to the settlements came in. His skin cap was pulled down to meetthe collar of his coat, leaving only his eyes and nose exposed, and finefrost-dried snow stuck to the shaggy furs. 

"It's surely fierce to-night, " he said. "Thought we couldn't make itwhen we met the wind on Loon Lake, but there was no shelter on the beachand our tea had run out. I brought a letter for Mr. Thirlwell along. "

"Nothing else?" Scott asked. 

The man said there was nothing, and when he went away Scott smiled. 

"Well, that's a relief! I had expected a reminder that we hadn't paidour last bill for tools. But I guess you want to read your letter. "

Thirlwell felt a thrill of satisfaction as he recognized the hand, forit was some time since Agatha had written to him. He got thoughtful ashe read the letter, and when he had finished put it down and lighted hispipe. 

"I'd like you to listen to this and tell me what you think, " he said. 

Scott make a sign of agreement, and when Thirlwell had read Agatha'saccount of her meeting with the burglar and Stormont, he remarked: "It'sa nice frank letter, and Miss Strange has some talent for dramaticnarrative. "

"That's not what I meant, " said Thirlwell, with an impatient frown. "What d'you think about Stormont's visit?"

"On the whole, I imagine Miss Strange ran less risk of being robbed whenshe met the burglar. "

"So I think. But why did the fellow go?"

Scott looked thoughtful. "Though Stormont's said to be a rogue, he'scertainly not a fool. You seem to take it for granted that Strange neverfound the lode, but I'm not sure. Anyhow, it looks as if Stormont didn'tagree with you. "

"But how did he hear about the lode?"

"It's not very plain, but I have a suspicion. There's a curious thing; Idon't see much difference between Stormont's object and the burglar's. Both seemed to want the letters Strange wrote to the girl. "

"Now I come to think of it, perhaps there wasn't much difference. Thefellow stole nothing, although he broke open the writing-table and MissStrange's trunk. She says he disturbed nothing else. But the matter getsno clearer. "

Scott smiled. "My explanation is that Stormont tried to buy the lettersafter he found they couldn't be stolen. "

"But he'd have to trust the man he hired to break into the house; andthis would put him in the fellow's power. "

"I reckon the man told him about the lode; Miss Strange states that hewas lame, " Scott remarked in a meaning tone. "Where has Black Steve beensince he left this neighborhood?"

Thirlwell started. "It's possible you have got near the truth. Nobodyknows as much as Driscoll about Strange's prospecting. But I must answerthe letter. What am I to say?"

"If you tell her to have nothing to do with Stormont, it ought to beenough in the meantime, " Scott replied. "You could send down your answerwhen, the next Hudson's Bay breeds come along. "

They were silent for a few minutes, and then Scott resumed: "Iunderstand Miss Strange means to look for the vein next summer and youare going. Why is that, since you don't believe her father's tale?"

"She's resolved to go and I can help. When she's persuaded the ore can'tbe found she'll be content to give the notion up. I don't want the thingto occupy her thoughts until it becomes a kind of mania, as it did withStrange. "

"I imagine she's an attractive girl. "

"She is attractive; but that has nothing to do with it, " Thirlwellreplied with a frown. "I'm not in love with Miss Strange. To begin with, I can't support a wife, and marriage hasn't much charm for me. Then Ithink she's clever enough to make her mark, and will stick to heroccupation until she does, if she gets rid of this foolish notion oflooking for the ore. "

"I see, " said Scott, with some dryness. "You feel sorry for the girl andwant to save her from getting like Strange? Well, it's a chivalrousobject; but there's a thing you don't seem to have thought of yet. Prospecting a big belt of country is a long job, and if you're away muchof the summer, how are you going to keep your engagement with me?"

"I have thought of it, " Thirlwell replied. "It's awkward--"

Scott smiled at his embarrassment. "Well, I'll let you go. In fact, Idon't mind taking a stake in the expedition, in the way of food andtools. "

"Miss Strange wouldn't agree. "

"Very well. Suppose you locate the ore, she'll need advice and furtherhelp. Now I know something about mining; I've paid pretty high for whatI've learned. I understand Miss Strange hasn't much money, and we mightsave her some expensive mistakes. You see, I haven't much hope ofgetting down to pay-dirt here. "

Thirlwell pondered. He liked and trusted Scott, and the thought of beingable to offer Agatha the help she might need was attractive; but hemeant to be honest and exercised some self-control. 

"It would pay you better to leave the thing alone. I feel pretty surethe ore's a freak of Strange's imagination. "

"It's possible, " Scott agreed. "Go and see. "

Thirlwell knocked out and filled his pipe; and then remarked with somediffidence: "You stated that you didn't think you had enough capital tokeep the Clermont going long. "

"I haven't enough, " Scott said, smiling. "But I have some rich relationswho might finance me if I could show them a sure snap. I'd like to doso, anyhow, because, after spending most all my money, I feel I've gotto make good. "

"I can understand this. Why did you come up here in the beginning?"

"It's rather a long story and I reckon it starts with a canoe trip Imade in the North one fall. I had then begun a business in which familyinfluence could give me a lift. Well, it was Indian summer; mosquitoesdying off, lakes and rivers all asleep in the pale sunshine. As wepaddled and portaged through the woods I felt I'd got into anotherworld. Wanted to stop forever and began to hate the cities; the feelingwasn't new, but I hadn't got it really strong till then. Sometimes atnight, when the loons were calling on the lake and my packers wereasleep, I'd lie by the fire and speculate what civilization was worthand if a man might not do better to cut loose and live by his gun andtraps. Well, of course, it was a crank notion, and I wasn't all a fool. I stopped longer than I meant, but I pulled out and got to work again. "

Scott paused and smoked meditatively before he resumed: "It was of nouse; the city palled. Don't know that I'm a cynic or much of aphilosopher, but the folks I knew seemed to have a wrong idea of values. Spent their best efforts grubbing for money and trying to take the leadin smart society. They made me tired with their hustling about thingsthat didn't matter; I wanted the woods and the quiet the river hardlybreaks. "

"You went back?"

"I did, " said Scott. "Felt I had to go. It was winter and the cold wasfierce, but we made four hundred miles with the hand-sledge across thesnow, and when I came out with some fingers frozen I was nine poundsheavier. Used to sit in my office afterwards and dream about theglittering lakes and the stiff white pines; saw them crowding round thelonely camps, when I ought to have been studying the market reports. Well, I couldn't concentrate on buying and selling things. Betting onthe market and getting after other people's money seemed a pretty meanbusiness. " He paused and added with a twinkle: "That's how I felt then, and I don't know that I've changed my opinions much. "

"All the same, you're anxious to make your mining pay. "

"It isn't logical, but I was born a white man and had got civilized. Youcan't altogether get rid of what you're taught when young, and it'sharder when the notions you inherit are backed by your training. Well, Isaw there was a danger of my turning out a hobo if I went back Northwithout a job. I must get some work, and when Brinsmead came with aproposition about the Clermont vein I took down my shingle and locatedhere with him. "

"But what about your relations? Did they object?"

"Not much. On the whole, I reckon they were satisfied to see me go. Theyhad long decided I was a crank, and since I was bound to do somethingfoolish, I'd better do it where I wouldn't disgrace them. That's aboutall. We're here, and I don't know that I'd go back if the road was open. Would you?"

Thirlwell pondered. It was a hard life he led, working, for the mostpart, in the dark underground, for when money was scarce and wages highhe could not be satisfied to superintend. Scott, indeed, worked like apaid hand, and they had fought a long, and it seemed a losing, battleagainst forces whose strength science cannot yet properly measure. Thefish-oil lamps sometimes went out in poisonous air while they examinedan unsafe working face; props broke under a load they ought to haveborne; and now and then the roof came down. Rock pillars crushed, massive stones fell out where one least expected, and there was alwaysthe icy water that the pump could not keep under and the frost could notstop. 

Yet there was something that thrilled one in the stubborn fight, and astrange ascetic satisfaction in proving how much flesh and blood couldstand. One felt stronger for bracing one's tired body against freshfatigue, and watchfulness in the face of constant danger toned up thebrain. Then, after all, the vast, silent wilderness had a seductivecharm. 

"This country draws, and holds what it gets, " he said. "I'm satisfied tostop here, as long as I'm young. "

For a time they smoked in silence, and presently went to bed, tired withexhausting labor and glad to rest in dreamless sleep until they beganagain in the bitter dawn. 

CHAPTER XI

STORMONT FINDS A CLUE

The Dufferin House was the best hotel in the small Ontario town, andabout ten o'clock one evening Stormont read a newspaper in hiscomfortable room. His clerk had been some days in the town, looking intoa proposed transaction in real estate, and Stormont left Winnipeg when aletter from him arrived. This was not because the business required hissupervision, but because Watson, the clerk, had found out something thatmight prove to be important, although it might lead to his employer'swasting his time. Stormont seldom let what he called a fighting changego by. 

He had eaten a good supper at about six o'clock, and after a talk withWatson and a young man whose acquaintance the clerk had made, had sentthem off to see the town at his expense. This was not rash, becauseStormont could trust his clerk. Now he waited their return, but it wasnot for Watson's benefit he had put a cigar-box and a bottle of strongliquor on the table. Much depended on Watson's tact and judgment, andStormont felt relieved when he came in. 

"I've got Drummond downstairs, " the clerk said. 

"Very good, " said Stormont. "Had you much trouble?"

"I certainly had some. He wanted me to hire a sleigh and take a girl ata sweet-stuff store for a joy-ride. Suggested it when she was there, andI think she meant to go. Then he broke a lamp in the pool-room that costus two dollars. "

"Well, I hope you haven't overdone the thing. "

"On the whole, I guess not, " Watson replied. "It's hard to hit theproper mark, but I reckon he's just drunk enough. "

"Then bring him up, " said Stormont, and in a few minutes Watson cameback with a young man. 

The latter's skin was somewhat dark, and his coarse black hair andathletic figure hinted at a strain of Indian blood. As a matter of fact, his mother was a French-Canadian _Metis_, and he was born in a skin tentin the North. His clothes were cut in the latest fashion, and he lookedself-confident; but he moved unsteadily and his face was flushed. 

"Had a gay time, Mr. Drummond?" Stormont asked. 

"You bet!" said the other, giving the clerk a patronizing smile. "Thisyoung fellow is surely a sport. Promised half the girls up-town he'dtake them a sleigh-ride and broke a big lamp in the pool-room. "

"You broke the lamp, " Watson interrupted, with a glance at his employer. 

"Oh, well, " said Drummond, "perhaps I did. I certainly put the markerout. He allowed I couldn't hold my cue and was going to cut the cloth. Why, I'd play any man in this old town for fifty dollars!"

"And beat him!" said Stormont. "Watson told me how you play. But won'tyou sit down and take a smoke. "

"I surely will, " Drummond replied, and pulling up an easy chair, puthis wet snow-boots on Stormont's bed, after which he lighted a cigar. "Now, " he resumed, "if you have anything to say to me, you can goahead. "

"You're a store clerk, I think. It's a poor job making a profit foranother man and Watson tells me you are enterprising. How'd you like torun a store of your own? If you could put up the stock to start with, Ireckon you'd soon make good. "

"I've figured on that, " Drummond replied, with a cunning look, thoughStormont saw he was flattered. "You want some money to begin, but I've anotion how I'm going to raise my pile. "

Stormont nodded. He had appealed to the young man's raw vanity, butmeant to work upon another emotion. "Watson tells me you came fromHamilton. Nice town and business was pretty good when I was there. " Hepaused and asked sharply: "Why did you quit?"

Drummond hesitated and got confused. "Nothing much doing in my line;didn't see many chances, and Hamilton made me tired. "

"Oh, well, " said Stormont, who had given the other a hint that he knewsomething about his past history. "I reckon you didn't leave youremployer your new address! Anyhow, store-clerking's a tame job, andyou're a sport. You want to get out and give yourself a chance. Wasn'tHector Drummond, Hudson's Bay agent at the old Longue Sault factory, your father?"

"He was. Don't know how you know, but you've got it right. "

Stormont smiled. The young man had told Watson much about himself onenight when he was drunk. "I don't think it matters. You'd like to getrich and hinted that you knew how to make your pile. "

"I know where there's a silver lode. "

"Ah!" said Stormont, "that's interesting! But it's an expensive businessto prove and develop a mineral claim, and you couldn't do much alone. Iexpect you know this, since you stop here clerking for a few dollars aweek. You want help. "

"The man who looks for that ore will want my help, " Drummond rejoined. 

"Well, it's my business to speculate in mines, and I'm generally willingto pay for a useful tip. But it's got to be useful. I don't like to bestung, and the woods are full of dead-beat prospectors ready to put youwise about rich pay-dirt for a dollar or two. "

"My tip's all right, " Drummond declared in a defiant tone. "I'll showyou! When the old man was at Longue Sault he had a clerk called Strange, and sent him off somewhere one day with a sledge and dogs. Strange cameback with a bagful of mineral specimens, and said he'd struck it rich, but the old man knew nothing about mining and didn't want anyprospectors mussing up things round there. By and by Strange left thefactory, and the old man pulled out and brought me South. Located atOwen Sound, and told me about Strange's specimens one day when he wasvery sick. Said he'd reckoned the fellow was a crank, but he'd kept twoor three specimens and a mining man told him they carried good silver. "

"Did Strange tell your father where he found the specimens?" Stormontasked carelessly. 

Drummond grinned. "Since the old man sent him, I guess he knew where hewent. But I've got to know what my tip is worth before I tell you. "

"Certainly, " said Stormont. "Suppose we take a drink?" He filled a glassand gave it Drummond, but was silent for some minutes afterwards. 

The young man was not as drunk as he thought, and had obviously somecaution left. The heady liquor, however, might make a difference. 

"Well, " he resumed, when Drummond put down his glass, "you're ambitiousand enterprising. I expect you'd like to own a share in a paying mine?"

"You bet I would; I'm surely going to!"

"Then you had better let me help. It will cost you something to locatethe vein, and you won't find people ready to believe your tale and putup the money, " Stormont replied. 

He saw by Drummond's look that he had tried to sell his secret; but thelad answered: "Cut it out! What's your offer?"

"Fifty dollars now, and five hundred when we find the lode, if it'sworth working. Then a share that will depend on the cost of developmentand the profit. "

"Shucks!" said Drummond. "I want five hundred dollars before I start. "

"Then you had better try somebody else, " said Stormont, smiling. "It'spossible that all you can tell me isn't worth five dollars. "

"I'll show you! Gimme a hundred now and 'nother drink. "

"Take fifty, or I quit, " said Stormont, who passed him the bottle. 

Drummond drained his glass. "You're mean, but I gotter make a start. Where's the bills?"

Stormont gave him some paper money, and then turned to the clerk. "Seeabout mailing the letters, Watson. "

The clerk went out, knowing why he had been sent. His employer trustedhim where he was forced, but did not want him to hear what Drummond hadto say. 

When Watson had gone Drummond knitted his brows, as if trying toremember something. "The vein runs out on the face of a cliff, 'boutforty paces from the first rampike pine; there's three or four rampikes, but the fire hadn't gone far into the bush. "

"Not much of a clue! There are patches of burned forest all over thecountry, " Stormont remarked. 

"Don't interrupt!" said Drummond, with a frown. "It's pretty hard toremember. Give me 'nother drink. I wanter get it right. "

Stormont filled his glass and he resumed in an unsteady voice: "Cliffrises from the creek in a little round hollow. There's a big rock nearthe top of the divide opposite--"

"Go on. How does the creek run?"

"You're hustling me, " Drummond grumbled. "I wanter think. It'simportant. Knowing how the creek runs fixes where she is. " He paused, and a vague distrust of Stormont entered his bemused brain. He had gotthe fifty dollars and saw, with drunken cunning, that it might beprudent to keep something back. "She runs south. "

"South?" exclaimed Stormont, who knew that the natural drainage of theregion is north-east to James Bay. 

"Sure, " said Drummond, with a sullen look. "Strange told the old man, and the old man told me. "

Stormont pondered. If the creek flowed south, it drained a subsidiarybasin and probably filled a lake from which a river ran north or east. The clue was worth fifty dollars because it would simplify the searchfor the lode. 

"How does the creek lie from the factory?"

"'Bout south-west, " said Drummond in a thick, drowsy voice. "There isn'ta factory at Longue Sault now. Company moved the post after the old manleft. "

"How far is the creek from where the post was?"

"Lemme think, " Drummond muttered, and his eyes half closed. "Old manreckoned Strange made it in a fortnight's march. "

"From the creek, or from the place where he was sent? Or do you mean thedouble journey?"

"Don't know, " Drummond answered dully. "Old man said fortnight. Told youall I remember. "

Then he slipped down in the big chair, his head drooped forward, and hefell into a drunken sleep. Stormont got up and leaned against the table. He had borne some strain in the last few minutes, because it had beenobvious that Drummond was overcome by liquor and would soon be unable totalk, while when he woke up sober he might repent his rashness. NowStormont imagined he had told him all he knew, and it ought to be worthfifty dollars. Lighting a cigar, he waited until his clerk came back, when he indicated Drummond, who lay, snoring heavily, with his dirtyboots on Stormont's bed. 

"Wake the drunken fool and see him home. "

Watson had some trouble to get Drummond on his feet and after Stormontshut the door there was a heavy thud. It looked as if Drummond hadfallen down the stairs, but Stormont smiled. He had done with thefellow, and if Watson could get him out of the hotel, it did not matterif he reached home or not. Ringing for the bell-boy, he gave ordersabout being called in the morning, as he meant to leave by an earlywest-bound train. 

CHAPTER XII

ON THE TRAIL

Thirlwell had been to the railroad settlement, and returning with FatherLucien, camped on the trail not far from the mine. The day had beenunusually warm and at noon the pines dripped in the sun and the snow gotdamp. At dusk it began to freeze and a haze hung about the woods andobscured the moon, but, by contrast with the rigors of winter, Thirlwellsitting by the camp-fire, felt almost uncomfortably warm. Father Lucienhad taken off his furs and sat with a blanket over his shoulders on abundle of dry twigs. Both had hung their moccasins up to dry near theheap of snapping branches. Wreaths of aromatic smoke slowly drifted pastand faded in the mist. 

"One feels spring coming, " said Father Lucien. "We have had a foretasteto cheer us while winter lasts. The sun is moving north, and up here, italways thrills me to watch the light drive back the dark. One could makea homily on that. "

"The dark soon returns, " Thirlwell remarked, "I hate the long nights. "

"There are men who like the dark, in spite of the terrors it has forsome. "

"I wonder whether you are thinking of a particular example, " Thirlwellsuggested, remembering a night watch he had kept while the blizzardraged about Driscoll's shack. 

"One does think of examples. Perhaps we generalize too much. It is easyto let an individual stand for a type. "

"If the individual is Black Steve Driscoll, I hope he's an uncommontype. "

Father Lucien made a sign of agreement. "Driscoll was in my thoughts. Astrange man; dogged and sullen, with a heart that kindness cannot touch. Yet one feels he is afraid. "

"He was afraid when he was ill; I wonder why. The fellow has noreligious or moral code. But he drinks hard and perhaps he'ssuperstitious. "

"What is superstition?" the missionary asked with a smile. "The oldatavistic fear of the dark and the mysterious dangers that threatenedour savage ancestors? Or is it an instinctive knowledge that there aresupernatural powers, able to punish and reward?"

"I don't know, " said Thirlwell, who mused and watched the smoke driftpast. 

The bush was very quiet; he could hear nothing but the crackle of thefire. Now and then a blaze leaped up and pierced the shadows among thepine trunks. A few yards away, the trees got blurred and melted into theencircling gloom. In one place, however, there was an opening, and whenhe turned his back to the light, he saw a faint glimmer in the mist thatindicated the frozen lake. Although he was used to the wilds, he feltthe silence and desolation. 

"It's easy to be superstitious here, " he resumed. "One feels that humanpower is limited and loses one's confidence. I expect something of thekind accounts for Driscoll's nervous fears. In the city, he would haveno time to brood; he'd spend his days in a noisy workshop and hisevenings in a crowded tenement or saloon. But if he's scared of the darkand loneliness, why doesn't he pull out?"

"Human nature's stubborn. A man with a compelling object may be afraidand fight his fears. "

"I'd like to know what Driscoll's object is. Since the night in hisshack, when the fellow was sick, I've wondered why Strange's canoecapsized. Strange was a clever _voyageur_; so's Black Steve. "

Father Lucien looked at him curiously and there was a hint of shrinkingin his eyes. "I cannot tell; perhaps we shall never know! But if therewas foul play, what would Driscoll gain?"

"It's hard to see, " Thirlwell agreed. "I could understand it if Stevehad afterwards staked a claim, but nobody has found the ore yet. There'sanother curious thing; I don't see what he'd gain by leaving you tostarve, as I think he meant to do. "

"No, " said Father Lucien sharply, "that is impossible! Besides, Driscollwas trapping some distance off. "

"A white man stood looking down at you and then stole away, although hesaw you had no camp outfit, " Thirlwell insisted. 

"He may have been short of food and came to borrow. Seeing I had none, he was perhaps afraid to share any he had left with me. "

Thirlwell shook his head. "I haven't met a prospector who would let awhite man starve; they're a rough but generous lot. In fact, the onlyman I know who's capable of the thing is Driscoll. "

Father Lucien did not answer and presently lay down, but Thirlwell satfor a time, thinking while he dried his moccasins. The missionary wassomething of an idealist, although he knew the weaknesses of humannature, but Thirlwell was practical. Somehow he had got entangled in thecomplications that sprang from Strange's supposititious discovery of theore, but he did not want to break loose. Agatha Strange needed him; shehad admitted that there was nobody else to whom she could look for helpand advice. So far, he could find no clue to the web of mystery thatsurrounded the matter and had caught them both, but he meant to search. 

When the moccasins were dry, he began to wonder why he was anxious tohelp the girl, since he was not in love with her. In a sense, it wasperhaps his duty, but this did not account for his keenness. He gave itup, and after throwing some branches on the fire lay down and went tosleep. 

The fire was low and gave out no light when he wakened. He felt cold andremembered with some annoyance that he had not gathered enough wood tolast until morning. He had not brought his watch, partly because he hadfastened a small compass on the chain, but he knew that day would notbreak for some hours yet. The mist was thinner, although it had notgone, and looking up he guessed the moon's height by the elusive glimmerin the haze. It was about four o'clock, and he imagined he had wakenedwhen the heat of his body had sunk to its lowest; but was not altogethersatisfied, since he had slept undisturbed by much keener frost. 

For all that, it was a nuisance to get up and look for dead branches inthe dark, and he waited, reluctant to throw off his blanket, for someminutes, and then roused himself with a jerk. He imagined he heardvoices out on the lake. He glanced at Father Lucien, but the latter wasfast asleep. Thirlwell wondered whether he himself had gone to sleepagain and dreamed, but half-consciously fixed his eyes on the openingthat commanded a view of the lake. He could see it indistinctly; asmooth white plain running back into the dark. The snow caught a faintreflection although the moon was hidden, but nothing broke the evensurface. 

Then Thirlwell got up abruptly, for he heard a shout. It sounded as ifsomebody had given an order, and he felt disturbed. There was, he knew, no ground for this. The few white trappers and prospectors who now andthen entered the wilds were, for the most part, good-humored, sociablemen; the _Metis_ and Indians were friendly. Indeed, the proper line wasfor him to invite the strangers to share his camp, but he hesitated. Hehad got suspicious since he promised to help in the search for Strange'ssilver, and trappers and Indians did not travel at night. 

As he pondered the matter, a dark object came out of the mistybackground on the lake. It was indistinct, but by its height and slowmovements he knew it was a man. It vanished presently where the pinescut off his view, but three others followed after an interval, twoapparently hauling a loaded sledge. They crossed the stretch of ice thatThirlwell could see, and when the trees shut them out he forgot togather wood and lighted his pipe. 

The hazy figures had an unsubstantial, ghostly look; he might haveimagined he had not really seen them had he not heard the leader'sshout. Then it was hard to see why they were traveling in the dark, since they must leave the ice soon and the trail was rough. He thoughttheir leader knew the country, because their coming down the lakeindicated that they had taken a short but difficult line from thesettlements. But one would expect a man who knew the country to make forand stop at the mine, which was not far off. Thirlwell hoped to reach itnext day, and wondered whether the others meant to pass it at night. Ifso, it would indicate that they did not want to be seen. 

When he had smoked out his pipe he gathered some wood, and then, asFather Lucien had not wakened, thought he would look for the others'trail and see which way they had gone. They were traveling north, buttwo routes the Indians used started from the head of the lake. He foundthe marks of the sledge-runners, and then noted with a thrill ofexcitement that there was something curious about one of the men'stracks. The steps were uneven; one impression was sharper than theother. 

Imagining that the party would camp soon, Thirlwell determined to followand presently came to a rough slope where the trail left the ice. Caution was now needed, because he could not see far and might be heardif he made much noise in pushing through the bush. The silence thatbrooded over the woods indicated that the others had stopped. The pineswere small and tangled, but he could see where the sledge had gone andwhen he reached the summit a gleam of light sprang up in the valleybelow. Thirlwell thought the man who made the fire had chosen the spotwell if he meant its light to be hidden. 

The wood was thin on the slope he went down and it was difficult to keepin the gloom. The glimmering moonlight was brighter and his figure wouldbe visible against the snow as he crossed the openings. When he was somedistance from the fire he stopped and studied his line of approach. 

The men were moving about on his side of the fire. Their figures weredistinct, but he could not see their faces, and if he crossed the beltof rather open ground, the light would fall on him. If he could creep upon the other side, the fire would be between them and, shining in themen's faces, prevent their seeing far. The trouble was, that the woodbehind the camp looked tangled and thick, and he doubted if he could getthrough without making a noise. Something, however, must be risked, andstealing across the opening to the next tree, he presently reached abelt of thicker wood. 

He could not be seen now, but he made a circuit round the fire before hebegan to approach it from the other side. His progress was slow and hefelt anxious, because it was possible that the men had moved round thefire while he struggled through the bush. Still he thought they had notdone so, because he had seen one throwing up a snow-bank behind whichthey meant to sleep. They would probably cook their meal and sit down onthat side in the shelter of the bank. When he left the thick bush he sawthat his reasoning was good, but he had yet to get near enough and thefire was burning well. There was not much wind, but the red blazeleaped up and sank, throwing out clouds of sparks, while a trail ofsmoke drifted about the camp. The resinous wood, however, crackledfiercely and he hoped this would drown the noise he made. 

There was nothing to hide him for some distance, and then a patch ofjuniper scrub and some willows ran towards the camp. If he could reachthem he would be safe, and he crawled across the open space and laybehind the first juniper while he got his breath. There was nothing toindicate that the others had heard him, and a few minutes later hestopped again at the edge of a gap where a fire had run through thescrub. He could see the men, though he could not distinguish theirfaces. One seemed to be looking in his direction, and Thirlwell felt hisheart beat but did not move. He had a background of dark bushes and itwas wiser to keep still than drop into the snow. 

Presently the man stooped, as if to pick up something, and Thirlwell, stealing forward, sank down among the willows. They rustled as he creptbetween their stems, but the fire was snapping furiously and after hehad gone a few yards he thought he was near enough. Rising nearlyupright, he pushed the dry branches aside. Since they broke his outline, it would be hard to see him by the unsteady light. 

The flames tossed and wavered, throwing a fierce red glow about thecamp. Pine-trunks and snow-bank stood out sharply from the shadow, andfaded again. The light played on the men's faces for a few moments andthen left them blurred and dim. Thirlwell waited until one threw on somebranches and a blaze and cloud of sparks sprang up. The glare touchedthe fellow's face and Thirlwell thrilled with excitement as he saw itwas Driscoll. 

He did not know the others, but one had a rather pale color, as if hehad come from the cities, and his fur-coat looked new and good. Thesledge carried an unusually heavy load, and among the provision bags henoted some iron drills and a small wooden box such as giant-powder ispacked in. It was a prospecting party and he had seen enough. 

Creeping back into the scrub, he set off for camp. When he got thereFather Lucien was asleep, and when they resumed the march next morningThirlwell told him nothing about the other party. He thought themissionary had difficulties enough of his own without being involved inthe trouble that seemed to follow all who had anything to do withStrange's silver lode. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE PROSPECTORS' RETURN

It was snowing, but there was no wind and the shack was warm when, onthe evening after his return, Thirlwell sat, smoking, by the stove. Nowand then a mass of snow rumbled down the iron roof near the spot wherethe hot pipe went through, and the draughts had lost their former sting. The air in the room felt different; it was not humid yet, but one nolonger noticed the harsh dryness that is caused by intense frost. Thelong arctic winter was coming to an end. 

By and by Scott, sitting opposite Thirlwell, said thoughtfully, "Driscoll's outfit will have to hustle, if they mean to do muchprospecting and get back while the ice is good. I'll give them a month, and if they're not out then, they'll have trouble. "

Thirlwell made a sign of agreement. Rivers and lakes are numerous in theNorth, and in winter one can travel smoothly on the ice. When the latterrots and cracks, _voyageurs_ and prospectors wait until the melting snowsweeps the grinding floes away and canoes can be launched. To pushthrough tangled bush and across soft muskegs costs heavy labor. 

"They were taking up a big load and couldn't march fast, " he said. 

"I understand you don't know Stormont?"

"I know his character--and unless he's badly slandered that's enough! Ihaven't met him, but I'm nearly sure it was a city man I saw inDriscoll's camp. "

"Stormont's indicated, " Scott replied. "I reckon Driscoll went to himbecause he needed capital; but he wouldn't put another fellow on thetrack. If we take it for granted that he did go, the mystery aboutStrange's letters is cleared up. It's characteristic that Stormont triedto steal them before he made Miss Strange his offer. "

"In a way, it's curious that he did make an offer!"

Scott smiled. "He didn't run much risk. It would be hard to frame anagreement out of which Stormont couldn't wriggle; I've met the fellow, and Brinsmead has grounds for knowing his methods. Anyhow, it's plainthat he thinks it worth while to spend some money in trying to find thelode, and on such matters his judgment is said to be pretty good. Then Iimagine Black Steve knows more about Strange's prospecting trips thanyou suspect. "

"My notion is, that nobody knows much about the lode. "

"Well, " said Scott, "it looks like that. Strange is dead, and I don'timagine he took Black Steve very far into his confidence; though he mayhave given him a hint when he was drunk. But there's another man, whomnobody seems to have thought of yet. "

"Who's that?"

"The Hudson's Bay agent at the factory where Strange was employed. Strange was young then, and was probably frank and enthusiastic abouthis find. I daresay he gave the agent all the particulars he couldrecollect when he saw the fellow doubted his tale. His memory was, nodoubt, pretty good, since he'd seen the lode a week or two before. "

"They have pulled down the factory and I expect the agent's dead, "Thirlwell replied. "If not, he must be an old man and I don't know wherehe is. I'm not persuaded yet that Strange did find the ore; but if ithadn't snowed, I'd have followed Stormont's trail. It would beinteresting to know where he means to look. "

He frowned as he lighted his pipe, because it was too late to satisfyhis curiosity. The prospectors had vanished into the tracklessdesolation, and now deep snow had fallen the wilds would hide them well. Scott pondered for a few minutes and then resumed: "You mean to helpMiss Strange put this matter over, although you don't believe in thelode?"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell, "I've promised her. "

"Then you're up against two hard men who have got a start, and one ofthem is dangerous. "

"Black Steve? Well, I believe he meant to leave Father Lucien to starve, but I don't see why. "

"You need help yourself, " Scott rejoined dryly. "When Driscoll was illand delirious he talked in a curious way, and when he got better mayhave had some recollection of being badly scared. If so, I expect heimagined he said more than he did and had, so to speak, given himselfaway. As a matter of fact, he said enough to be suspicious. Since he wasdelirious, he probably didn't know you were there, and it might beprudent not to let him know. It's possible he thought Father Lucien knewtoo much, and saw his opportunity of getting rid of him. "

Thirlwell started. "It is possible! I'm glad I told you about my watchat the shack. I didn't at first; the things I suspected lookedridiculous. "

"In future you had better tell me all you can. My opinion is, that youhave undertaken a very tough job. For all that, I'm getting curiousabout the lode, and would rather like to have a stake in the venture, ifMiss Strange agrees when she comes up. "

"She won't agree unless she finds the ore. Then, of course, she'd needhelp and money. "

"Very well, " said Scott, and they talked about something else. 

For some weeks they said nothing more about the silver vein. Part of theroof of the main heading in the mine came down, and they had afterwardsto contend with a dangerous flow of water. Extra timbering was neededand the men risked their lives as they wedged the props under thecracking beams, while now and then they worked for a shift with bucketsto help the clanging pump. Their clothes were always wet, and they weregenerally smeared with mud when they came up to eat and sleep. Theminers grumbled, and Scott and Thirlwell felt the mental and physicalstrain. They were highly strung and often irritable, while when they satby the stove when work was over they only talked about the difficultiesthey had struggled with all day and others that must be met in themorning. 

In the meantime, the thaw began. The snow softened and got honeycombedby the drops from the trees. One sank to the knees in trampled slushamong the sawn-off stumps about the shaft-head. The ice rotted, and inplaces where the current ran fast large floes broke off, and drove downstream until they were stopped by the thick ice in the slacks. Above theShadow Rapids, however, there was, for a time, no break in the frozensurface, and one evening Scott and Thirlwell sat listening to the growlof the rising flood in the open channel it had made near the mine. Thesound swelled and sank, and at intervals they heard rain patter on theroof. 

"In a week or two the canoes will be out, " Scott remarked. "There's abig head of water coming down and I guess the jamb that's backing up thestream won't stand till morning. "

"Some of it's going now; that's an extra large floe, " said Thirlwell asa detonating crash rang across the woods. Then there was a roar that waspierced by a high, strident note, and he knew the floe was tearing openupon a rock. 

The shrill scream died away, but the turmoil of the current swelled, andknowing what would happen soon, they waited with strained attention andlet their pipes go out. The mine buildings stood back from the bank andthey ran no risk, but nobody can listen unmoved when the ice breaks upon a river of the North. 

Presently there was a deafening concussion like the shock when a giantgun is fired. The shack trembled as if struck by a battering ram, andThirlwell felt his nerves tingle. After the concussion came a roar thatgrew into an overwhelming din, and they braced themselves against thestrain; one could not bear that appalling noise very long. It subsided alittle into a confusion of jarring sounds that were sometimesdistinguishable and sometimes drowned each other. Massy floes shockedand smashed, and tore apart upon the ledges with a noise like theripping of woven fabric. Others, lifted out of the water, ground acrossthose that stuck fast, and some crashed against the rocky bank, throwinghuge blocks among the pines. 

This lasted for a time, and then the uproar got bearable and graduallysank. There were intervals when one could hear the turmoil of theliberated flood as it rolled by in swollen fury. The intervalslengthened, and by and by Thirlwell got on his feet with a sigh ofrelief. 

"You never get used to hearing the ice break up. It's tremendous!" hesaid. "This is a very stern country. Sometimes it frightens one--"

He stopped abruptly and listened. The uproar was sinking fast and in alull he heard footsteps outside. Then the door was pushed open and a manstaggered in. His fur-coat was torn and muddy, his feet came through hispulp moccasins, and the water that drained from him made a pool on thefloor. Three others followed and stood, dripping, in the light, whileScott and Thirlwell gazed at them. Then the first dropped into a chairand leaned his arms on the table as if overcome by fatigue. His face wasgaunt and his eyes were half shut. 

"The boss is pretty well used up, " said one of the others and Scottcrossed the floor. 

"Stormont, " he said, "you look as if you had been up against it hard. "

Stormont lifted his head and Thirlwell thought his eyes got like awolf's. 

"I'm starving! No food the last two days. "

"Not much before!" one of the rest remarked. 

"Been on mighty short rations since we hit the backtrail. Had a toughjob to make it; had to leave our blankets and truck. "

"We can give you a meal and a place to sleep. But where have you been?"

"Up north, " another answered vaguely, and Scott, recognizing hiscaution, smiled as he turned to the last of the party, who stood nearthe door. 

"You look fresher than the others, Steve. However, you're used to thecountry and I expect you brought your partners down. "

"That's so, " Driscoll growled. "Didn't think they'd make it. They're atender-footed crowd!"

In the meantime, Thirlwell studied the fellow. Driscoll was wet andragged; his face was thin, but inscrutably sullen. Unlike the rest, hedid not look overcome by fatigue. When Scott spoke he gave him a dullglance and then fixed his eyes on the floor. Thirlwell had notedsomething unusual in his comrade's manner. Scott's voice had an ironicalnote and his look did not indicate much sympathy. In the North, a demandfor food is seldom refused, but Scott obviously meant to be satisfiedwith supplying the party's urgent needs. With this Thirlwell agreed. 

Then Scott said to Driscoll, "You had better take your friends to thebunk-house and tell the cook to make you supper. You know where to getblankets. "

Stormont got up with an effort, and when he went out with the othersScott smiled. 

"I'm not going back on my duty, but I don't want that outfit in myshack, " he said. 

Next morning after breakfast Stormont came in. He had to some extentrecovered from his fatigue, but looked worn and dispirited. 

"I guess I owe you some thanks, " he said. 

"I don't know if you do or not, " Scott answered coolly. "In the bush, astarving man is, so to speak, entitled to ask for food and shelter. Icouldn't refuse. "

Stormont gave him a keen glance. "Well, there's another thing. It's along trail to the railroad and I want to buy stores enough to see usout. "

"Then I suppose I must let you have supplies; but you can't expect toget them as cheap as at the settlements. In fact, you'll have to pay myprice. "

"That needn't break the deal, " Stormont replied. "I know when there's nouse in kicking. "

"An unsuccessful prospecting trip is an expensive undertaking, " Scottsaid meaningly. "Then there's the disappointment. You would have got abig lift if you'd been lucky enough to find Miss Strange's silver. "

"The silver is not Miss Strange's. The law gives a mineral vein to theperson who stakes it off and records it first. "

"That is so, " Scott agreed. "Well, you don't look as if you had staked avaluable claim! I suppose you stopped too long trying to find the vein, and the ice was unsafe when you left. However, you want supplies tocarry you down to the settlement, and if you'll come along to the store, we'll see what I've got. "

They went out, and in the afternoon Stormont's party took the trail tothe South. 

CHAPTER XIV

STORMONT DISOWNS A DEBT

The general store was empty, and Drummond, leaning on the counter, frowned as he glanced at the clock. It was a few minutes after the timefor closing and he had been busily occupied all day. Besides, he had anengagement at the pool-room and thought he would be late. If so, a manwhom he knew he could beat would probably begin a game with somebodyelse, and he would miss an opportunity of winning two or three dollars. This was annoying, because Drummond needed the money, but he had othergrounds for feeling dissatisfied. 

Keeping store was monotonous and rather humiliating work that left onevery little time for amusement. He could drive a fast horse as well asother young men he met up town, play a clever card game, and beat hisfriends at pool. His talents were obviously wasted in measuringdry-goods and weighing flour. Moreover, since meeting Stormont he hadbeen extravagant and got into debt. There was no need to be economicalwhen he had been promised a share in a rich mining claim. 

Then he wondered with misgivings what the farmer who had gone into theback office was talking about, and hearing angry voices, felt sorry hehad made some alterations in the man's order. Certain stale goodscarried a commission if the salesman could work them off, but the thingneeded tact and a knowledge of the customer's temper. Drummond feared hehad been imprudent. 

In the meantime, he looked about the store with a feeling of disgust. The long room, with its cracked, board walls and dusty floor, wasuncomfortably warm, and smelt of hot iron, dry-goods, and old cheese. Drummond had neglected to regulate the draught when he filled the rustystove, and now felt that one could not expect a spirited young man tospend his days in such a place. Anyhow, it was after closing time, andsitting on the counter he lighted a cigarette, letting it stick to hisunder lip. This was the latest fashion and gave one a sporting look. Soon after he began to smoke, the farmer came out of the office. 

"You can send for the truck when you like; I've no use for goods likethat, " he said. "Next time you pack me a dud lot I'll cut out youraccount. If you and the sporting guy who's sitting on your counterthought me a sucker, I guess I've put you wise!"

He went down the steps into the street, and the lean, hard-facedstorekeeper turned to Drummond with an ominous frown. 

"Get off that counter! You make me tired to look at you, with your dudeclothes and a cigar-root hanging out of your mouth. Throw the blamedthing away and put up the canned stuff you left about. "

Drummond felt tempted to refuse, but his employer's eye was on him andhe obeyed sullenly. 

"When you've finished, you can clean up that row of shelves, " the otherresumed. "Then stack the flour and sugar bags where they're kept. Guessyou reckoned to leave the truck all night where the transfer man dumpedit. If you can't serve a customer, I'll see you keep the storestraight!"

Drummond imagined the work would occupy him for an hour and might spoilhis clothes. Besides, if he gave way, his employer might make freshencroachments on his evenings, and he thought the fellow wanted to goadhim to revolt. 

"No, sir, " he said. "It's closing time. I'm going to quit. "

"If you quit now, you quit for good! Don't know why I've kept you, anyway!"

"I know, " said Drummond, who resolved to be firm. If his employer reallymeant to get rid of him, he risked nothing, but if not, he might winsome advantage. "You couldn't get another clerk to take my job for thewages you pay. "

"Well, " said the other grimly, "I'm willing to try. It's a sure thing Icouldn't get a man who'd muss up the store like you. Come to me for yourmoney and light out when you like. "

He went out, banging the door, and Drummond sat down, rather limply, ona dry-goods bale. After all, it was something of a shock to find himselfdismissed, but in a few minutes he gathered confidence. Stormont hadgiven him fifty dollars and promised him a share in the silver mine, andalthough he had soon spent the money, he would go to Winnipeg, ask foranother payment, and see what progress the fellow was making. If thevein had not yet been located, Stormont would, no doubt, find him a job. In fact, the only trouble was that when he had bought his ticket hewould not have enough money left to pay his bill at the boarding-house. 

Four days later, he left the town, and reaching Winnipeg one afternoon, began to inquire about Stormont in the great, domed, marble-pavedwaiting-room. To his surprise, the officials he questioned knew nothingabout the man, and when one sent him to the inquiry office, thefashionably dressed lady clerk was ignorant. She, however, threw adirectory on the counter and told him haughtily that he could look forthe address. 

Drummond found it, and walking along Main Street, turned up PortageAvenue. There was a block of traffic at the corner where the broad roadscross, and close by a crowd had gathered to read the bulletins on thefront of a newspaper office. Stopping for a few minutes, Drummondstudied the row of tall buildings, but saw that the number he wanted wasfarther on. There was, however, an imposing block some distance ahead, but this turned out to be a huge department store, and afterwards thebuildings got smaller and plainer. It began to look as if Stormont wasnot as important a man as he had thought, and he was conscious of somedisappointment as he went on until he stopped where private houses, workshops, and shabby stores ran out towards Deer Park. Then he foundthe number and entered a narrow, dingy building. 

It was obvious that Stormont had studied economy when he chose hisoffice, and Drummond stopped and hesitated on a landing opposite a doorthat badly needed painting. He began to think he had been rash inleaving his post in the Ontario town, but nerving himself with thereflection that he had a share in a silver vein, knocked at the door. Somebody told him to come in, and he walked into a small room. 

The dirty walls were hung with plans of building lots and surveys of theforest belt in Eastern Manitoba. A glass partition ran up the middle andon one side Watson sat in front of a typewriter. He looked at Drummondwith surprise, but did not get up. 

"Well, " he said, "why have you come to town? Have you got a week off, orhave you got fired?"

"You ought to know what I've come about, but I want to see the boss, "Drummond rejoined. 

"That's easy, anyhow, " said Watson, with a grin Drummond did not like, and indicated a door in the partition. 

Drummond opened the door and saw Stormont sitting at a table coveredwith papers. He looked up and nodded coolly. 

"Hallo!" he said. "Mr. Drummond, isn't it? Sit down for a few minutes. "

Then picking up a letter, he knitted his brows. He did not thinkDrummond could give him much trouble, but he might become something of anuisance unless he was dealt with firmly. Stormont had not long sincecome back from the North, feeling disappointed and savage, for he hadspent a good deal of money on the expedition. Besides, things had gonewrong at the office while he was away and he had lost some profitablebusiness. 

"What can I do for you?" he asked by and by. 

"I've left the store, " said Drummond. "Thought I'd locate in Winnipeg. One has better chances in the big cities, and I reckoned you could findme a job. Anyhow, I'll need some money. "

"That's a sure thing. But why did you come to me for it?"

"You gave me fifty dollars--"

"When did I give you fifty dollars?" Stormont interrupted with a look ofsurprise. 

"The evening Watson took me to your room at the Dufferin House. Besides, you promised me a share in the mine. "

Stormont smiled. "That accounts for the thing! I'm afraid you weredrunker than I thought. "

"You did give me the money, " Drummond insisted. "Are you trying to goback on your promise?"

"Oh, well, " said Stormont with an indulgent smile, "in order to satisfyyou, we'll ask Watson. " He knocked on the partition and turned to theclerk as the latter came in. "Mr. Drummond states that I gave him fiftydollars on the evening you brought him to the Dufferin House. Do youremember anything about it?"

"Certainly not, " said Watson. "You gave him a cigar and some liquor, though I thought he'd had enough. He fell down the stairs afterwards andmade trouble for me when I saw him home. " Watson paused and resumed witha meaning smile: "It's pretty hard to remember what happens when you'vegot on a big jag!"

Drummond colored angrily, but pulled himself together. "I remember I gotthe money and told Mr. Stormont about the ore. "

"Now I come to think of it, you did tell me a curious story about amysterious silver lode, " Stormont agreed. "Somewhere in the North, wasn't it? Anyhow, I didn't give the thing much attention. You can heartales of that kind in any miners' saloon. "

"That's so, " Watson supported him. "Sometimes we hear them in thisoffice when a crank prospector comes along. All the same, they're notbusiness propositions. "

"You promised me a share in the mine, " Drummond declared, and added withdark suspicion: "I guess you found the ore. "

Stormont laughed ironically. "Cut it out, Mr. Drummond! It's a surething I haven't found a silver lode. "

"If you're going to turn me down, I'll try somebody else. "

"I can't object. In fact, I dare say Watson will give you the addressesof some people who speculate on mining claims. But you mustn't bedisappointed if they fire you out. "

Drummond's face got red and he clenched his fist, for he had alreadytold his tale to people who heard it with amused incredulity. 

"You promised you would make me rich and I've thrown up my job! I've gotabout five dollars and don't know what to do!"

"Well, " said Stormont coolly, "there's an employment agent a few blocksup the street and as trade's pretty good it's possible he can find you apost. That's about the only thing I can think of and I'm occupied justnow--"

Drummond stopped him with a savage gesture and walked out of the room. 

"We have fixed him; I guess he won't bother us again, " Stormontremarked. 

After leaving the office, Drummond wandered moodily along the avenue andpresently came to a square, past which rows of pretty wooden housessurrounded by poplars, ran towards the river bank. The snow had gone, the afternoon was warm, and finding a bench in the sun, he sat down tothink. His character was complex and his thoughts involved, for he hadinherited something from ancestors of different type. A touch of Indianvanity and French expansiveness was balanced by his father's Scottishcaution and the Indian's stolid calm. Sometimes he was rash andimpulsive, and sometimes strangely patient, but he seldom forgot aninjury. 

It was obvious that he had been cheated and in the meantime could get nosatisfaction for the wrong he had been done. What he knew about thesilver ore was worth something while he alone had the secret, but now hehad told somebody else its value had disappeared. It was, however, acomfort to reflect that he had not been altogether frank with Stormont;he had kept something back that would be a useful guide when one lookedfor the creek. His recollection of this was hazy, but he would thinkabout it later. 

On the whole, Drummond thought Stormont had not found the ore. A hint ofanger in his ironical amusement implied that he had come backdisappointed; and if he imagined he had got on the right track, hewould, no doubt, have been willing to pay another fifty dollars. For allthat, Watson and Stormont had plotted to win his confidence, make himdrunk, and find out all he knew, and this indicated that the fellowthought the vein worth looking for. When Stormont got over hisdisappointment he would try again. 

Drummond saw that he could embarrass Stormont by selling the secret hehad been cheated of to somebody else. It was amusing to think of twoparties looking for the vein; the difficulty was that he did not knowanybody likely to be a buyer. But he could wait, since it looked as ifhe had put Stormont off the track, and by and by he might find aspeculator willing to believe his tale. Sooner than let Stormont locatethe vein he would give, for nothing, any antagonist of the latter's allthe help he could. 

Then he remembered that he had only a few dollars and must find somework soon. Supper would not be served at the cheap hotels for an houryet and he set off to look for an employment agent. The man charged adollar and gave him a card with an address, remarking that Drummondought to get a job, as business was good. Drummond went back up theavenue, and presenting the card at a big store, was engaged for a weekand promised a post afterwards if the department boss was satisfied. 

CHAPTER XV

THE GRAND RAPID

Bright moonlight touched the river, streaking the angry water with asilver track, when Scott and Thirlwell poled against the stream in thegloom of the wooded bank. The Shadow, swollen by melted snow, rolled byin flood, swirling along the stony beach in lines of foam, and tossingabout battered trunks brought down by winter storms. Farther downstream, a shimmering haze of spray indicated the Grand Rapid, andThirlwell meant to stem the current until they were far enough from thefoaming turmoil to paddle across. The gray trout were shy that eveningand they had let the canoe drift farther than they thought. Presentlysomebody hailed them from the bank, and as they let the canoe swinground in an eddy a dark figure moved out from the gloom of the pines. 

"Driscoll's voice, I think, " said Scott. "Head her inshore; we'll seewhat he wants. "

It transpired that Driscoll wanted them to take him across. He had lefthis small canoe some distance down stream, because he thought he mightbe drawn into the rapid before he could reach the other bank. Scott'scanoe was larger, and with three men on board they could easily makehead against the current. 

"I guess we've got to take him, " Scott remarked. "Give her a push andrun her in behind the rock. "

When the canoe grounded Driscoll got on board and picked up a pole. Asthere was not another, Thirlwell paddled in the stern while they pushedthe craft through the slack. It was hard work and he noted how slowlythe pines rolled past. By and by they reached an angry-white rush ofcurrent between an island and the bank, and as they could scarcely makeprogress Scott suggested putting down the poles and paddling across. Driscoll, however, grumbled that they were not far enough up stream, andgetting out when they ran the canoe close to the driftwood that washedabout the shingle, tracked her for some distance through the shallowwater. While the fellow stumbled among the dead branches, Scott gaveThirlwell a meaning look that the latter thought he understood. 

It was obvious that Driscoll was anxious to avoid being swept into therapid and Thirlwell admitted the prudence of this, but did not think thedanger great enough to account for his rather excessive caution. TheIndians generally shot the rapid when the water was low, and althoughthe river was now rolling down in flood, it was not impossible for menwith steady nerves to take the canoe safely through to the tail-pool. Hewondered whether Black Steve had been drinking, but on the whole did notthink he had, and admitting that the fellow knew the streams and eddiesbest, let him have his way. At length, however, Scott threw down hispole. 

"We're far enough and I want my supper, " he said. "Get hold of thepaddles and let her shoot across. "

Driscoll grumbled half aloud, but made no determined protest, andpaddling hard they headed obliquely for the opposite bank. As theyforged through the glittering water the current swept them down andThirlwell noted that it was running faster than he had thought. Theriver was wide and the ragged pines got indistinct as they rolled backup stream. It looked as if the canoe were standing still and the banksmoving on, only that the gleaming spray-cloud got rapidly nearer. Itstretched across from bank to bank, and a dull roar that rose and fellcame out of the wavering mist. For the most part, the current wassmooth, but here and there broken lines of foam streaked its surface, and sometimes the canoe swung round in revolving eddies. 

Still the dark rocks ahead got nearer and at length Driscoll made a signthat they could stop paddling. He occupied the stern, where he couldsteer the craft. Thirlwell, feeling breathless after his efforts, wasglad to stop, and looked about as he knelt in the middle. He had oftenthought it was from the river one best marked the savage austerity ofthe wilderness. In the bush, one's view was broken by rocks and trunks, but from the wide expanse of water one could look across the belt offorest that ran back, desolate and silent, to Hudson Bay. Here and therethe hazy outline of a rocky height caught the eye, but for the mostpart, the landscape had no charm of varied beauty. It was monotonous, somber, and forbidding. 

The canoe was now thirty or forty yards from the rough bank, anddrifting fast. Driscoll obviously meant to land on a patch of shinglelower down, which was the only safe spot for some distance. At low-waterone could run a canoe aground among the ledges that bordered the slackinner edge of the rapid, but when the Shadow rose in flood the currentbroke and boiled furiously among the rocks. One faces forward whenpaddling, and while Thirlwell watched the dark gaps in the pines open upand close he heard Driscoll shout. Next moment Scott leaned over the bowand plunged his arm into the water. It looked as if he had dropped hispaddle and Thirlwell backed his in order to stop the craft. 

The paddle floated past, too far off for Driscoll to reach, and signingto Thirlwell, he swung the canoe round, but the water was getting brokenand they missed the paddle by a yard. Then they drove her ahead in asemi-circle, and a minute or two had gone when Scott, leaning overcautiously, seized the paddle-haft. In the meantime, they had driftedfast, and Thirlwell saw that that patch of shingle was now up stream. 

"That's awkward, " Scott remarked, and the canoe rocked as Driscolldipped his paddle. 

"Drive her! You have got to make the beach, " he shouted in a hoarsevoice. 

There was something contagious in the man's alarm, and knowing hisphysical courage, Thirlwell made his best effort. The sweat ran down hisface, he felt his muscles strain and his sinews crack, and the canoe'sbow lifted as the paddle-blades beat the water. Driscoll leaned farforward to get a longer stroke and urged the others with breathlessshouts, but the shingle they were heading for slowly slipped away. 

"Try along the bank, " Driscoll ordered, and Thirlwell, turning to pickup a pole, saw his face in the moonlight. It was strangely set, and hewas not looking at the bank, but at the rapid. His gaze was fixed andhorrified. 

For some minutes they scarcely held the craft against the stream. Indeed, Thirlwell afterwards wondered why they kept it up, since it wasobvious that they could not reach the landing, but imagined thatDriscoll urged them. The fellow seemed resolved not to be drawn into therapid. 

"We can't make it; I've got to let up, " Scott gasped at length, andThirlwell, breathing hard, wiped his wet face as the canoe drove away. 

It was galling to be beaten, and there was some danger unless the craftwas handled well. Steadiness and skill were needed, but after all therisk was not greater than he had often run in the mine and on the frozentrail. The daunting thing was that Driscoll, whom they had expected tosteer the canoe, looked afraid. He crouched astern, paddling in a slack, nerveless manner. There was no chance of landing now; they must runthrough the mad turmoil into the eddies of the tail-pool. 

The roar of the flood rolled in confused echoes along the wall of pines. Angry waves broke upon the reefs near the bank, and a cloud of spraywavered and glittered above a tossing line of foam. They were driftingtowards the line extraordinarily fast, and Thirlwell felt his nervestingle as he tried to brace himself. There was ground for being daunted, but he thought he would not have felt much disturbed had Driscoll notlooked afraid. 

Then Scott, kneeling in the bow, turned, and after a quick glance atDriscoll said, "Keep as cool as you can, partner. Steve's badly rattledand can't be trusted. "

A minute or two afterwards, they plunged over the edge of the rapid. Theair got cold and the light got dim, for a wind blew against the rush ofwater and the spray hid the moon. Still, they could see for a distance, and Thirlwell frankly shrank as he glanced ahead. The river was brokenby ridges of leaping foam that ran one behind the other with narrow gapsbetween. White-ringed eddies span along the bank and the tops of darkrocks rose out of the turmoil. Moreover, there were rocks in thechannels, and one must strain one's eyes for the upheavals that markedsunken shoals. Driscoll knew the reefs and eddies, and while theyplunged down like a toboggan Thirlwell risked a glance astern. The man'seyes were fixed on the river, but his pose was slack. It was plain thathe had not recovered and they could expect no help from him. Thirlwelldrew a deep breath and gripped his paddle hard. 

He could never remember much about the next few minutes. Sometimes heshouted to Scott, and thought Scott called to him, as a wedge of stonesuddenly split the rushing foam, and sometimes when the current boiledin fierce rebound from a hidden obstacle. The canoe plunged until thewater stood up above her bows, and now and then leaped out half herlength. When they dared, they checked her with a back-stroke as somedanger loomed ahead, but oftener drove her faster than the current tosteer her round a reef or dark, revolving pool. Yet, for the most part, she must be kept straight down stream, for if she swerved across abreaking wave its crest would curl on board and bear her down. 

Thirlwell was vaguely conscious that his hand had galled and bled, butthis did not matter. The trouble was, that the sweat ran into his eyesand he could not see distinctly. He felt his heart thump and his breathcome hard, but braced himself against the lurching and tried not to missa stroke. If he did so, Scott, paddling in the bow, would swing herround and next moment they would be in the water. 

In the meantime, he was conscious of a curious, fierce excitement, buthad braved danger too often to indulge the feeling. It led to hotrashness, and judgment and quick but calm decision were needed now. Hemust concentrate all the power of his mind as well as the strength ofhis body on taking the canoe down to the tail-pool. 

She shipped some water on the way and they could not bail. It washedabout their knees as the frail craft plunged, and Thirlwell wonderedanxiously how much she would carry without capsizing. The rocks andpines ashore now streamed past, blurred and indistinct, but he hadseldom an opportunity for glancing at the bank. He must look ahead, andevery now and then his view was shortened by a ridge of tumbling foam. 

Somehow she came through, half-swamped, and swung down the savagefan-shaped rush that spread in white turmoil across the tail-pool. Paddling hard, they drove her out of the eddies that circled along thebank, and finding a slack, ran her on to a shingle beach. Then they satdown, wet and exhausted, to recover breath. Driscoll helped to pull thecanoe up, but when Thirlwell presently looked about he could not seehim. 

"He's gone, " Scott remarked dryly. "Lit out while you were taking offyour boots. "

Thirlwell imagined that the roar of the river had drowned the fellow'ssteps, but he did not want to talk, about Driscoll yet, and when he puton his boots, which had been full of water, they started for the shack. After they had changed their clothes Scott sat down and lighted hispipe. 

"What do you think was the matter with Black Steve?" he asked. 

"It looked as if he'd taken some liquor, but I don't know, " Thirlwellanswered. "He was obviously scared. "

"Sure, " said Scott. "But he wasn't scared of getting drowned. Steve's abetter canoe hand than either of us and has physical pluck. "

"Then why was he afraid?"

Scott looked thoughtful. "I imagine he was afraid of the rapid and thedark. When he hailed us to take him over, I thought it an excuse; hecould have got across in his own canoe if he had braced up. My notion ishe didn't want to make the trip by himself. " He paused and gaveThirlwell a keen glance. "Curious, isn't it?"

"He's a curious man, " said Thirlwell, who had dark suspicions that hedid not want to talk about. "When we were drifting into the rapid, I gota glimpse of his face and didn't look again. Thought I'd better not; thefellow's nerve had gone. Anyhow, if he hates the rapid, why does he stophere and live near the bank?"

"Steve is primitive; I guess you don't understand him yet. He's an oldtrapper and one gets superstitious in the bush. For all that, he'sstubborn, and if he has an object, he'll persist until he carries itout. "

"But what object has he got?"

Scott made a vague gesture. "I can't tell you that. Hadn't you betterget out the plates? I want some food. "

Thirlwell put a frying-pan on the stove and they talked about somethingelse. 

CHAPTER XVI

THE PIT-PROP

Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottomof the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to hishat. The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when thetrapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage himbecause he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce. He made nofriends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speakingwhen the latter picked up his lamp. 

Thirlwell went on down the inclined gallery. Water splashed upon hisslickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the airwas foul. Here and there a smoky light burned among the props lining thewalls, and the dim illumination touched the beams that crossed the roof, but the gaps between the spots were dark. The timbers were numerous, andwhere one could see a short distance, ran on into the gloom in rows soclosely spaced that they seemed continuous. 

By and by Thirlwell found Scott looking up at a massive beam a fewinches overhead. The beam was not quite level, and the prop beneath oneend had bent, while a threatening crack extended across the roof. 

"We may have a bad fall here, " Scott remarked. "The prop's gettingshaky and the pressure's pretty fierce. I reckon we'd better shore herup as quick as we can. It's lucky our lumber doesn't cost us much. "

Thirlwell examined the crack and thought it dangerous. There were one ortwo transverse splits, which indicated a heavy mass of rock was ready tocome down. None of the men were near the spot, and he knew they wereoccupied, but Driscoll had left a few props between the timbers, readyfor use where the roof was weak. Thirlwell found one and dragged it tothe spot. 

"We'll put this up and then I think I'll get a fresh beam across. "

Scott helped him to raise the timber. It was a few inches too long, andcrossed the space between floor and roof with a small slant, but it wasmeant to do so, in order that when its lower end was driven forwarduntil it stood upright it would wedge fast the beam above. ThenThirlwell brought an ax and struck the prop some heavy blows with itsback while Scott steadied the top. It was almost in place, and the benttimber was getting loose, when the top slipped and shook the beam. Therewas an ominous crack and a few small stones broke away and fell onScott's head. 

"I've got her butted solid now, " he shouted after a short breathlessstruggle with the timber. "Be quick! The roof's coming down!"

Thirlwell saw the danger. So long as the prop slanted, it would notsupport the beam, and if the beam gave way, the roof would fall andcrush them before they could get from underneath. He thought he had afew moments to hammer the prop straight, and swung the ax savagely whilethe sweat ran down his face. He dared not look up again, but theominous cracking went on and while he wondered what was happening, Driscoll ran past. A big stone fell beside the man as he seized anotherprop and with a tense effort jambed it under the beam. 

"I'll take some weight off her while you shore her up, " Driscoll gasped. 

He had brought a heavy mallet, but before he used this he dragged thefoot of the timber round, bending his body forward while his arms gotstiff and hard, as if carved from wood. His sullen face was darklyflushed and the swollen veins stood out from his forehead. Thirlwell sawhim for a moment as he lifted his ax, and remembering the sceneafterwards, thought the fellow had looked a model of savage strength. Itwas obvious that he had no fear. 

In the meantime, he was vaguely conscious that Driscoll had saved hislife. He and Scott had stayed too long, and could not have fixed theirprop before the beam gave way had not the other come to help. For thatmatter, they were not out of danger yet. Unless they could wedge thetimber in the next few moments, the roof would come down. There was notroom to swing the ax properly, his body was cramped from bending, and hecould not lift his head. Stooping in the low tunnel, he nerved himselffor a tense effort and struck several furious blows. The prop quivered, groaned as it felt the pressure from above, moved an inch or two, andstood upright. Then Thirlwell dropped his ax and staggered back. He feltlimp and exhausted, and wanted to get away. The beam would hold the rooffor some minutes and might do so for a time. 

"You can let up now, Driscoll, " Scott called out when they stopped a fewyards off. "We'll see if the prop will stand before we do anythingelse. "

"Guess I'll fix the other, " Driscoll replied. 

"Come out, " Scott insisted. "You don't know if it's safe. "

Driscoll glanced round for a moment. His hat had fallen off and theminer's lamp flared and smoked in the water at his feet. His hair waswet with the drops from the roof, and a thin streak of blood ran downhis face from a cut a falling stone had made. But his heavy eyes had afixed, obstinate look. 

"You hired me to mind the timbers; it's my job. "

Scott acquiesced with a gesture and he and Thirlwell watched. There wasa risk that in wedging the extra prop the man might loosen the first;and then, if neither was able to bear the load, the rock above wouldfall and bury him. For all that, Driscoll looked undisturbed and did notstop until he had carefully driven the timber into its proper place. Then he turned to Scott and his glance was slow and dull. 

"I want you to send two of the boys along. "

"Why do you want them?"

"I've got to have some help. She won't hold up long unless we runanother beam across. "

"It would be prudent, " Thirlwell agreed, and went down the gallery withScott to the working face. 

"What do you think of Black Steve?" Scott asked when they had sent themen and stood near a lamp. "He wasn't scared just now!"

"I'm puzzled, " said Thirlwell thoughtfully. "The fellow was quite cool. If he hadn't come with the prop, I expect the roof would have buriedus. But that's another thing. Why did he come?"

Scott smiled. "We were plainly in some danger, but I don't imagine BlackSteve was moved by a generous impulse to save our lives. In fact, if ithad promised him some advantage, I rather think he'd have seen usburied. "

"You don't claim it was a sense of duty?"

"Not in a way; Steve's too primitive. On the whole, I think he explainedthe thing best when he said it was his job. A fellow of his kind doesn'treason like you; perhaps he did once, but lost the habit in the bush. He's, so to speak, atavistic; moved by instincts, like the Indians andanimals. "

"But I don't see--"

"Perhaps it isn't very obvious, " Scott admitted. "For all that, theIndian's instinctive obstinacy carries him far. Steve had undertaken tolook after our timbering, he's used to danger, and the risk didn'tcount. I expect he was moved by the feeling the bushman gets when he'sup against Nature; he knows he'll be crushed if he can't make good. Anyhow, I've moralized long enough. Will you see what they're doing withthat rock-borer?"

Thirlwell left him and went to the machine, which made a jarring noise. He spent some time adjusting the cutters, and afterwards stood for a fewminutes thinking about what his comrade had said. Scott's argument wasinvolved, but Thirlwell thought he saw what he meant. Driscoll's bemusedmind could not grasp the thought of duty that demanded self-sacrifice, but he had animal courage and stubbornness. He would carry out what hehad undertaken. Moreover, he might have animal cunning without havingcultivated intelligence, and his strength and resolution made himdangerous. Thirlwell did not like Driscoll better than before, but itlooked as if the fellow had saved his life, and although he might nothave meant to do so, this counted for something. Going back to the shaftpresently, he climbed up and sat down in the sun. 

A warm wind blew across the pine woods, the sun was getting hot, and thewet grounds about the shaft-head was drying fast. The river had risen asthe lakes in the wilds it came from overflowed with melted snow, andraged, level with its banks, in angry flood, rolling broken trees downstream and strewing ledges and shingle with battered branches. Itshoarse roar echoed across the bush, and Thirlwell felt that there wassomething daunting in the deep-toned sound. One could understand that aman like Driscoll, whose brain was dulled by liquor, might let it fillhim with vague terrors when the woods were still at night. 

But listening to the river presently led Thirlwell to think aboutStrange. There was something pathetic about the story of his life, forAgatha had made Thirlwell understand her father's long patience, gentleness, and self-sacrifice. His duty to his family had cost himmuch, but he had cheerfully paid. It looked as if he had done best atthe task he most disliked--managing the humble store in the small woodentown. One could not think of him as having failed there. His wife andchildren loved him, though all but one had smiled when he talked aboutthe lode. 

His daughter, who knew him best, had inherited his confidence, andThirlwell owned that this had some weight. She was perhaps influenced bytender sentiment, but there was nothing romantic about Driscoll andStormont, and it looked as if they shared her belief that the lode couldbe found. Scott, too, thought it possible, and his judgment was oftensound. Thirlwell had imagined the lode an illusion of Strange's, but hisdisbelief was giving way. 

Then he forgot the others and thought about Agatha. In some ways she waslike Strange, but she was made of finer and stronger stuff. She had hispatience, but her brain was keener, and her resolution was backed bymoral force. Moreover, she was a very charming girl and Thirlwelladmitted that he looked forward with eagerness to their journey. Shewould come in summer, when the rivers and lakes were open and the woodswere filled with resinous smells. The sun was hot in the North then, thedays were often calm, and there was a wonderful bracing freshness whenthe lingering twilight glimmered behind the pines. 

It would be strangely pleasant to listen to the girl's soft voice whilethe canoes glided smoothly across sparkling lakes, and perhaps to tellher stories of the wilds when the smoke of the camp-fire drifted by andthe cry of the loon came out of the shadows. For all that, there was notmuch risk of his falling in love with her. He was not a sentimentalist, and she had told him that her vocation was science. Her journey was aduty, and when the duty was carried out she would concentrate on herstudies, and as she had talent presently make her mark. He did not thinkshe would find the lode, but when she was persuaded it could not befound he would no longer be useful and they would go their differentways. Well, he supposed he must acquiesce. He was a poor engineer, andsuch happiness as marriage could offer was not for him. 

Then he glanced at his watch and got up with an impatient shrug. He hadforgotten his work while he thought about the girl, and there was muchto be done. For one thing, he had come up to see if the smith hadtempered some boring tools; and then he must send the _Metis_river-jacks to float a raft of props down to the mine. Pulling himselftogether, he set about the work with characteristic energy, but as hewalked through the murmuring woods he unconsciously began to sing aromantic ballad he had learned when a boy. Presently, however, hestopped and smiled. It looked as if he were getting sentimental, and onemust guard against that kind of thing. 

CHAPTER XVII

DRUMMOND OFFERS HELP

It was a calm evening and Thirlwell and Scott sat outside the shack, watching the river while the sunset faded across the woods. A few_Metis_ freighters had gone to the settlements for supplies and miningtools, and although much depended on the condition of the portages, Scott expected them that night. 

"Antoine will bring up our mail, " he said. "It's some time since MissStrange has written to you about her plans. "

Thirlwell said it was nearly three months, and Scott resumed: "Well, Ithink if I'd had a part in the business, I'd have tried to find if theHudson's Bay agent was alive. It's possible that he could tell yousomething about the location of the ore. "

"I don't know that I have any part in the business, " Thirlwell replied. "I promised to go with Miss Strange, but that's all. "

"If she finds the lode, she'll need a mining engineer. "

"She'll have no trouble in engaging one if the pay is good. "

"But you wouldn't think you had first claim to the post? In fact, if youhelped the girl to find the ore, you'd be satisfied to drop out andleave her alone?"

Thirlwell frowned. He had made no plans for the future and certainly didnot mean to trade upon Agatha's gratitude, but he knew it would hurthim, so to speak, to drop out and let her look for other help. 

"The lode isn't found yet, " he rejoined. 

"Anyhow, I feel that the girl or you ought to have got on the agent'strack, " Scott insisted. "He knew where Strange went, and saw him when hereturned. It's possible that Strange confused his memory by hissubsequent trips, but the agent heard his story when the matter wasfresh. "

Thirlwell did not answer, and Scott cut some tobacco. When he hadfinished he looked up the river. 

"The _bateaux!_ Antoine has made good time. "

Two craft drew out of the shadow of the pines, slid down the swiftcurrent, and presently grounded on a gravel beach. They were of thecanoe type, but larger, and their bottoms were flat, since they wererather built for carrying goods than paddling fast. There was a goodwater route to the rocky height of land, across which the cargo wasbrought on the freighters' backs from a river that joined the wagontrail to the settlements. As soon as they landed, the crews began tocarry up boxes and packages, but a young man left the group and cametowards the shack. He wore neat store-clothes that were not much theworse for the journey, and although his skin was somewhat dark, lookedlike a young business man from the cities. 

"Which of you is Mr. Thirlwell?" he asked. 

"I am, " said Thirlwell. "Who are you?"

"Ian Drummond; the boys call me Jake. A son of Hector Drummond's ofLongue Sault factory. "

"Ah, " said Scott, "this gets interesting! Did Hector Drummond sendyou?"

"No; he died nine years since. "

Scott gave Thirlwell a meaning look, and turned to the young man. 

"Then what do you want?"

"To begin with, I want a job. "

"A job?" said Scott with some surprise. "What can you do?"

"I know nothing about mining, but I'm pretty strong, " Drummond answered, giving Scott a deerskin bag. "Anyhow, Mr. Thirlwell had better read hisletter before you hire me. Antoine, the _patron_, brought up your mail. "

"Very well, " said Scott. "The cook will give the boys supper soon andyou had better go along. Come back afterwards. "

When the lad had gone, Thirlwell felt pleasantly excited as he opened aletter Scott took out of the bag, for he saw it was from Agatha. Shetold him that Drummond had met her in Toronto and related how Stormonthad victimized him. The young man stated that he wanted to see the Northand would like to get work where he could watch for the prospectingparty he thought Stormont would send up. 

"I warned him that you may not be able to give him employment, but he iskeen about going and willing to take the risk, " she said. "We can, Ithink, trust him to some extent, and perhaps he knows enough about myfather's journey to be useful; but I cannot tell if it would be prudentto offer him a reward. I am glad to feel I can leave this to you, andwill, of course, agree to the line you think it proper to take. "

Thirlwell read part of the letter to Scott, who said, "Miss Strangeseems to have a flattering confidence in your judgment. Do you want meto hire the fellow?"

"I don't know yet. I wouldn't ask you to engage him unless he could beof use. "

"You needn't hesitate on that ground, since we're two men short, " Scottanswered, smiling. "Well, suppose we wait until we have talked to him. Iguess you know this silver-lode is getting hold of me. "

"I wonder why!"

Scott laughed. "You understand machines and rocks; to some extent Iunderstand men. Anyhow, I find them interesting, and perhaps otherpeople's firm belief in the lode influences me. "

By and by Drummond came back and Scott studied him as he advanced. Hesaw the lad had a strain of Indian blood, and he knew something aboutthe half-breeds' character. They were marked by certain weaknesses, butas a rule inherited a slow tenacity from their Indian ancestors. He hadknown a man, shot through the body, walk four hundred miles to reach adoctor, and they made the revenging of serious injuries a duty. A_Metis_ would wait the greater part of a lifetime for a chance ofrepaying in kind a man who had wronged him. Drummond looked somewhatdissipated and had a superficial smartness that young men without mucheducation acquire in Canadian towns, but Scott thought him intelligent. 

"Sit down, " he said, indicating a short pine-stump. "You want a job. Isthat all?"

"Yes, " said Drummond coolly, "it's all I want _now_. If you and Mr. Thirlwell mean to look for the ore and take me along, you can give mewhat you think my help is worth. But I've already put Miss Strangewise. "

"You seem to be pretty trustful! How did you find her?"

"My father knew where Strange, located after he left the factory, and Itried to get on the track of his folks when Stormont turned me down. Talked to packing-house drummers at a department store in Winnipeg whereI was employed, and found a man who sold Strange canned goods when heran a grocery business. The drummer had known him pretty well and toldme Miss Strange was in Toronto. By and by, when trade was slack inWinnipeg, the firm sent some of the clerks to their Toronto store and Ibothered the department boss until he let me go. Then I was 'most amonth locating Miss Strange; couldn't find her in the directory andToronto's a big town. "

Scott noted the determination that had helped him in his search. "Youknew about the lode for some time, " he said. "Why did you wait so long?"

"I allowed there wasn't much use in my butting in, until I read in anewspaper that Strange was drowned. Besides, the drummer reckoned hisown folks thought him a crank and there was nothing to his tale. All thesame, when I got tired of keeping store I thought I'd see what I coulddo about the lode. "

"I suppose it was because the drummer put you wise that you went to MissStrange and not her brother? No doubt you tried to interest other peoplefirst. Still, as she promised you nothing, I don't see why you camehere. "

"Stormont played me for a sucker; found out all I knew and turned medown!" Drummond answered with a savage sparkle in his eyes. 

Scott was silent for a few moments and then looked up. "You can beginwork to-morrow and Mr. Thirlwell will pay you what you're worth. We'llmake no further promise, but if you like, you can tell us anything youthink important. "

"Miss Strange knows, " said Drummond with a curious smile. "You want toremember that I told Stormont the creek runs _south_. She does runsouth, for a piece, but she turns and goes down a valley to the east. "

"Then it's hard to see your object for playing the crook with Stormont, though I don't suppose he'd have done the square thing if you had puthim on the right track, " Scott remarked. "However, that's not ourbusiness. You'll find room and some blankets in the bunk-house. "

Drummond left them and Thirlwell said, thoughtfully, "It's plain that hedeceived Stormont by telling him the creek flowed south. This would makethe fellow think the ore was on our side of the last height of land, butif the water goes east, it must run into the James Bay basin on theother slope. That's something of a clue, but I see a risk in keepingDrummond here. Suppose he makes friends with Driscoll?"

"Driscoll doesn't make friends, " Scott rejoined and added with atwinkle: "Then as you don't admit there is a lode, it's not worth whileto wonder whether the lad could tell Black Steve anything useful. "

"We'll let that go, " Thirlwell replied, and when Scott strolled awayread Agatha's letter again with keen satisfaction. It was a charming, frank letter, and he thrilled as he noted her trust in him. 

Drummond went to work next morning and Thirlwell, allowing for someawkwardness at first, thought he would earn his pay, while a doubt hehad felt about the prudence of engaging him was presently removed. Goingto the smith's shop one afternoon, he heard angry voices and stopped tosee what was going on. The smithy, which stood at the edge of theclearing round the mine, was a rude log shack without a door. It wasgenerally rather dark, but just then a ray of sunshine struck in and thecharcoal fire on the hearth glowed a dull red. The smith leaned on hishammer, watching Driscoll and Drummond, who confronted each other closeby. 

Driscoll was heavy and muscular, Drummond wiry and thin, but as theystood, highly strung, Thirlwell noted the athletic symmetry of bothfigures. Driscoll had, no doubt, acquired it by travel in the woods, andDrummond by inheritance from Indian forefathers. The older man's limbsand body had the fine proportions of a Greek statue, and since he didnot move one could not see that he was lame. Their faces, althoughdifferent in modeling, were somehow alike, for both had a curious, quietwatchful look. They disputed in low voices, but Thirlwell saw their moodwas dangerous. He knew that noisy fury seldom marks a struggle in theNorth, where hunting animals and men strike in silence. There wassomething strangely like the stealthy alertness of the animals in theirattitudes. 

Waiting in the gloom among the pine-trunks, he gathered that the quarrelwas about the sharpening of tools. Drummond had brought some cuttersfrom the boring machine, and Driscoll wanted his ax ground. 

"I came along first, " Drummond declared. "Tom's going to fix my cutters;your ax has got to wait!" He glanced at the smith, sharply, as ifreluctant to move his eyes from Driscoll. "Give the wheel a spin andlet's get busy!"

"He certainly won't, " said Driscoll; "I've unshipped the handle. You'llget your cutters quickest if you quit talking and wait until I'mthrough. "

"That's not playing it like a white man. Don't know why they hired youat the mine. Your job's smuggling the Indians liquor. "

"Your folks!" sneered Driscoll. "You're not white. "

"Stop there!" said Drummond, with stern quietness, and Thirlwell saw himbalance a cutter he held. It was a short but heavy piece of steel, curved at the point. 

Driscoll's eyes glittered. "Your father was a squaw-man; your mother--"

He bent his body with the swift suppleness of an acrobat, and thecutter, flying past, rang upon the wall of the shack. Then he swungforward and the end of a pick-handle missed Drummond by an inch. 

Another cutter shot from Drummond's hand and struck Driscoll's side. Hestooped, and Thirlwell thought he was falling but saw that he had bentdown to pick up his ax. Next moment the blade flashed in a long sweepand Drummond sprang behind the anvil, which occupied the middle of thefloor. He had another cutter and held it back, with his arm bent, readyto launch it at Driscoll's head, but Thirlwell imagined he was pressedtoo hard to feel sure of his aim and wanted to get out of hisantagonist's reach. It was plain that the situation was dangerous, butThirlwell knew he could not stop the men by shouting, and the fightwould probably be over before he reached the shack. He had, however, forgotten the smith, who pulled a glowing iron from the fire. 

"You can quit now; I butt in here!" he said, holding the iron close toDriscoll's chest. Then he turned to Drummond. "Put that cutter down! Idon't: want to see you killed in my smithy. "

All were quite still for a moment, and then Driscoll moved, as if hemeant to get round the anvil, but the smith held him back. 

"Try it again and I'll surely singe your hide!" he shouted, and swunground as he heard Drummond's cautious step. "If you sling that cutter athim, I'll put you on the fire. Get out now; I'm coming to see you go!"

Drummond backed to the door, with the red iron a few inches from hisface, and when he had gone the smith signed to Driscoll. 

"You're not going yet! Sit down right there and take a smoke. "

A few moments later Thirlwell joined Drummond, who was waiting near thesmithy. "If you mean to make trouble, I'll pay you off, " he said. "You're hired to work, not to fight. "

"If I quit now, Steve will get after me again, " Drummond grumbled. 

"I think not. In fact, I'll see about that; but if you provoke the man, you'll be fired as soon as I know. It's worth while to remember thatyou're a long way from the settlements. "

"I got him with the cutter, anyhow, " Drummond rejoined, and when he wentoff Thirlwell entered the smithy. 

He imagined what he said to Driscoll would prevent the quarrel beginningagain, and presently went back to the mine, feeling satisfied. There wasnow not much risk of Drummond and Driscoll making friends and findingthat both knew something about the lode. Thirlwell was persuaded thatDriscoll did know something, more in fact than anybody else; he knewwhere Strange had expected to find the ore. Thirlwell had not admittedthis to Scott, because he shrank from stating his suspicions, which weredark but vague. Now, however, he thought he would try to formulate themand see how they looked, since he might, after all, take Scott into hisconfidence. 

To begin with, nobody knew why Strange's canoe capsized. Strange wasclever with the paddle, and Driscoll's narrative, while plausible, leftsomething to be accounted for. It was improbable that he had quarreledwith his partner while they shot the rapid, because their minds would beoccupied by the dangerous navigation. Then supposing that Driscoll hadintentionally let the canoe swerve when they were threatened by abreaking wave, it was hard to see what he would gain. If he thoughtStrange had found the ore, it would obviously be impossible to learnanything about it after the man was drowned. The theory that Strange hadalready told him where the lode was, and Driscoll meant to get rid of apartner who would demand the largest share, must be rejected, since ifStrange had told him, Driscoll would have gone away to register theclaim. But he had not done so. 

The thing was mysterious, and Thirlwell could see no light. He must waitand watch for a hint, and in the meantime resolved to talk to Scottabout it. So far, he had rather avoided the subject of Strange's death, but it might be better to abandon his reserve. He did not think he couldexpect much help from Scott, but he was clever and Thirlwell had knownhim to solve some awkward puzzles. 

CHAPTER XVIII

THE HAND IN THE WATER

Scott lying among the pine-needles after work had stopped, lighted hispipe and glanced at Thirlwell, who had been talking for some minutes. 

"On the whole, it was lucky the smith had an iron hot, " he said. "BlackSteve's a dangerous man and we know something about the _Metis_ temper. Drummond, of course, is hardly a _Metis_, but he has a drop of Indianblood that must be reckoned on. It's a remarkably virile strain. "

"I was rather glad they quarreled. I'd been afraid Driscoll might learnhe knew something about the lode and persuade him to join the gang. Iwouldn't trust him far. "

"You can trust his Indian instincts, " Scott replied. "No doubt he'sgreedy, but he hates Stormont, and I imagine he'd sooner punish thefellow than find the silver. " He paused, and looked thoughtful when hewent on: "The other matter's difficult; but, like Father Lucien, I don'tsee what we can do. It's possible that Steve drowned his partner, oranyhow, took advantage of an accident to let him drown; but we're notdetectives, and you can't move against a man without something besidessuspicion to go upon. Then we were under the cracking beam when he fixedthe prop that stopped the roof coming down. "

"I suppose, if he's guilty, that oughtn't to count?"

"It's an awkward question, " Scott replied. "However, we don't know if heis guilty, and I don't see much chance of our finding out. But there'ssomething else. Miss Strange had the shock of hearing about her father'ssudden death, and it would not be kind to harrow her again. "

"Certainly not, " said Thirlwell, who felt annoyed because his comradehad guessed his thoughts. 

A week later, Thirlwell was walking down the tunnel when he saw one ortwo of the men and Driscoll shoring up the roof. Drummond was helping, but a stone fell on him and he sat down. There was no light except theflicker of the lamps in the men's hats and they did not see Thirlwell. 

"Are you hurt, kid?" one asked Drummond. 

"He's scared, " Driscoll growled. "Let him get out; this is a man's job. "

Drummond sprang to his feet, although Thirlwell noted an ugly bruise onhis forehead. 

"Talk about being scared!" he cried. "Why you're 'most scared to deathof the rapid! What d'you reckon lives there that's going to get you inthe dark?"

Driscoll stepped forward. His face looked gray, but his mouth was hardand his eyes shone with savage rage. Thirlwell thought the man's passionwas dangerous, and running up, got in front of him and sent Drummond tothe shaft. 

"Load up that broken rock, " he said. "If you leave the job and come backhere, I'll fire you out. "

He was disturbed by the quarrel, because he understood something ofDriscoll's feelings when stung by the taunt. Then he was curious aboutDrummond's object for making it, and wondered how much he knew. He keptthem apart and when they stopped at noon Driscoll came up to him. 

"I want to quit when the week's up, " he said. 

"Why?" Thirlwell asked, looking hard at him. 

"For one thing, I've put up most of the new timbers and guess she'llhold for a while. Then I sure don't like that _Metis_ kid. Reckon I'llkill him if I stop. "

"Do what you think best, " said Thirlwell, who saw he must get rid of oneand would sooner keep Drummond. "If you come back later, we may find youa job. "

At the end of the week, Driscoll went off into the bush, and aftersupper Thirlwell sent for Drummond. Scott was sitting near him outsidethe shack when the young man came up. 

"If you make any fresh trouble here, you know what's coming to you, "Scott remarked. "Steve is a good miner and it won't pay us to keep youand let him go. "

"I guess you won't find the boys are sorry he lit out. There's somethingwrong about the man. "

"If that's so, it's not your business, " Thirlwell rejoined. "But why didyou tell him he was scared of the rapid?"

Drummond sat down on a fir-stump and grinned with frank amusement. Hehad finished his duty until the next shift went under ground and in themeantime his employers had no authority over him. Indeed, he felt thathe had conceded something by coming when he was sent for, and he mightnot have done so had he not liked Thirlwell. 

"Because Steve certainly _was_ scared, " he replied. 

"How do you know this?"

"Well, I s'pose I've got to put you wise. I go fishing evenings, whenthe trout are on the feed just before it's dusk, and I'd seen Steveprospecting round the pools among the reefs. Struck me as kind ofcurious, because if he was looking for something, he'd do better indaylight. "

Scott glanced at Thirlwell, who remembered having come upon Driscollwhen he was apparently engaged in searching the pools. It was obvious tohim, and he thought to Scott, that the fellow had chosen the twilight inorder to avoid being seen. 

"Did Driscoll see you?" Thirlwell asked. 

"I don't know; the boys tell me he's a trapper, " Drummond answered witha smile. 

"I suppose that means you kept out of sight and watched? But go on withyour tale. "

"One evening I was sitting among the rocks. It was very calm and gettingdark when I heard a rattle and a splash. I reckoned Steve was lookinghard for something if he trod on a loose stone. "

Thirlwell nodded. Driscoll was a skilful trapper and a trapper does notdisturb loose stones. Since he had made a noise, it was obvious that hewas very much occupied, and thought himself alone. In a way, it wascurious that he imagined there was nobody about; but although Driscollhad studied wood-craft, Drummond had, no doubt, inherited the ability tolurk unseen in the bush. Thirlwell could picture the lad crouching inthe gloom of the dark pines. 

"After a piece, " Drummond resumed, "I got his figure against the sky, and reckoned, because he looked short, he was wading in a pool. Felt Ihad to see what he was looking for, but knew I couldn't get near himalong the bank. There are patches of gravel among the rocks, and thebrush grows pretty thick where it gets the light at the edge of a wood. "

"Willows, for the most part; they're green, and soft, just now, " Scottremarked. 

"You can't crawl through green brush without making some noise. If youwatch your arms and shoulders, you can't watch your feet. "

"How'd you know that? Gone hunting often?"

"Never owned a gun, " said Drummond "Still I did know. "

"It doesn't matter. Go on, " said Scott, who looked at Thirlwellmeaningly. 

"For a while, I couldn't see what I'd better do, and then I looked atthe water. It was glimmering a few yards out, but there was a dark piecewhere the stream runs slack beside the rocks, and I took off my jacketand my boots. "

"Why didn't you take off all your clothes?" Scott asked. 

Drummond looked at him with surprise. "I knew my skin would shine in thewater. "

"Yes, of course, " said Scott. "Well, it was a risky swim. If you hadbeen washed into the main stream you'd have gone much farther than youmeant. Did you get near Driscoll?"

"Sure I did. An eddy swung me out and I reckoned I was going down themain rush, but I caught the back-swirl and after that kept very closealong the bank. Got a knock from a boulder, but, just paddling enoughto keep on top, I drifted down to where Steve stood. He was on a ledgenow, and I could hardly see him against the pines, but his head wasbent, as if he was looking into the water. Then I allowed I'd been afool. I couldn't stop unless I crawled out almost at his feet; you can'tswim against that stream. Steve doesn't like me and there were somehefty rocks around. "

Drummond paused, and Thirlwell imagined the lad had run some risk. Ablow from a heavy stone would have stopped his swimming, without leavinga tell-tale mark, since his body would bear many bruises when the rapidthrew it out among the eddies in the tail-pool. Thirlwell could picturethe scene--the dark pines standing against the pale sky, and the dimreflection from the river; the unsuspecting man bending over the ledge;and the lad drifting noiselessly down stream, with only his head abovewater and his rather long hair streaking his dark face. 

"Well, " continued Drummond, "you see how I was fixed! I couldn't pullout from the bank because the slack was narrow, and, if I kept on, Imust pass Steve very close. I surely didn't like it, but saw what I'dbetter do. He was facing down stream, turned half away from me, and Ireckoned the water was about four feet deep. I'd grab his foot and pullhim in. Then I'd get away while he was floundering about, while if hewas too quick and gripped me, we'd be equal in the water and he'd haveno rocks to throw. 

"I drifted on until I could reach him and seized his foot, but the restdidn't work out as I thought. Steve didn't slip into the water; he kepton his feet and screamed. "

"I suppose you mean he shouted, " Thirlwell suggested. 

"No, sir--I mean _screamed_; like a jack-rabbit in a trap. The ledgeslanted awkwardly; he couldn't turn to see what had got hold of him, andhad hard work to keep his balance when an eddy swung me off the bank. Isaw him stiffen as he braced himself, and guess he felt my grip gettighter through his boot, because he gave another scream, as if he wasmad afraid. Then he got his other foot against something that steadiedhim and I saw I couldn't pull him off. I let go and swam under water aslong as I could. When I came up Steve wasn't there, but I heard him pushthrough the willows up the bank. He was running as if he thought he hadto go for his life. Well, I got out at the next slack and went for myboots and jacket. Steve wasn't watching; I guess he'd had enough!"

"It's possible, " Scott agreed dryly. "Do you think he saw you justbefore you dived?"

"He might have seen my hand; it would look whiter than my gray shirt. Hecertainly didn't see my face; I didn't mean him to. "

"Well, " said Scott, "it's an amusing tale, but you had better not tellit to anybody else. Now you can go along, but see you keep out oftrouble in future. If I find you talking about Driscoll, or quarrelingwith the boys, I'll butt in. "

Drummond went away, and when he vanished into the shadow of the pinesThirlwell remarked: "I don't imagine Driscoll found the thing amusing!"

"Do you think he afterwards guessed it was Drummond who got hold of him?The young idiot gave him a hint when he taunted him with being scared. "

"It's likely, " said Thirlwell. "If he did guess, it would account forhis anger; the man was carried away by a rage. He looked as if he'd havekilled the lad if there had been nobody about, and perhaps he had someexcuse. He's afraid of the river, and we have seen his imagination getthe better of his pluck. I'm not surprised he got a nasty jar. Try topicture it! The growing dark; the roar of the rapid that we know hehates; and the wet hand that rose from the eddy and seized his foot. "

Scott nodded. "Just so! _Whose_ hand do you imagine he thought it was?"

"I think we both suspect. But we agreed that suspicion was not enough. "

"It is not enough, " said Scott, who took his fishing rod from the pegsin the wall of the shack. "Well, shall we go down to the river? Thetrout ought to rise to-night. "

CHAPTER XIX

A LOST OPPORTUNITY

The class-room was very hot and a ray of dazzling sunshine quivered uponthe diagrams on the yellow wall. An electric fan hummed monotonously andbuzzing flies hovered about Agatha's head. Her face and hands were dampas she stood with knitted brows beside a tall blackboard, looking at thedrowsy girls whom she was teaching inorganic chemistry. One or two fixedtheir eyes on the symbols she had written; the rest had obviously givenup the effort to understand the complicated formula. In fact, they didnot seem to notice that she had stopped her lecture. 

For a few moments she looked about and mused. With one or twoexceptions, she liked her pupils, and had led them patiently along theuphill road to knowledge. They had made some progress, but she had losther delight in leading. For one thing, few would go far, and when theyleft her the rest would turn aside from the laborious pursuit of scienceinto pleasant human paths and forget all that she had taught while theyoccupied themselves with the care of husband and children. Moreover, sheherself could not follow the climbing road to the heights where thelight of knowledge burns brightest, as she once had hoped. When theschool term was finished she must turn back and begin again, at thebottom, to direct the faltering steps of another band. But shesometimes wondered whether the beckoning light was not austere and cold. 

She glanced at her dress. It was a neutral color and like a uniform. After all, she had physical charm and it was sometimes irksome to wearunbecoming clothes. Then the lofty room, with its varnished desks andbenches, looked bleak; her life was passed in bare class-rooms andechoing stone corridors. This would not have mattered had she been ableto follow her bent and take the line she had once marked out; but shecould not. She must give up the thought of independent research andteach for a living, cramping her talents to meet her pupils'intelligence, until, in time, she sank to their level. 

She roused herself with an effort and mechanically resumed her lecture, for her wandering thoughts now dwelt upon the foaming rivers and coolforests of the North. The class-rooms smelt of varnish and throbbed withthe monotonous rattle of the fan; in the wilds one breathed the resinousfragrance of the pines and heard the splash of running water. For allthat, she must not shirk her duty and she tried to make the meaning ofthe symbols on the board plainer to the languid girls. 

By and by she remarked that they were more alert. Some were makingnotes, and one or two looked past her with frank curiosity. The door wasbehind the board, and Agatha had heard nobody come in, but when shelooked round she saw a gray-haired gentleman standing near the ladyprincipal. He seemed to be listening to what she said and she thoughthis eyes twinkled as if he understood the difficulty of rousing herpupils' interest. This was somewhat embarrassing; but the school wasfamous and visitors were now and then shown round. 

She paused, and the stranger turned to the principal. "If you will allowme--"

The principal smiled and he came up to Agatha, holding out his hand forthe chalk. 

"Suppose we alter the formula this way?" he said and wiped out theletters and figures. 

Agatha studied him as he wrote fresh symbols. He was plainly dressed andabout sixty years of age. There was nothing else worth noting, but heobviously knew his subject and she liked his face. She saw that thegirls could follow his explanation, but while suited to theirunderstanding, it was, in one respect, not quite accurate. 

"I don't know if I've made it much plainer, " he said deprecatingly whenhe stopped. 

Agatha indicated a group of letters. "It is plainer, thank you! But doesthe combination of the two elements take place exactly as you haveshown? At a normal temperature, the metal's affinity for oxygen--"

"Ah, " he said, "you know that? It looks as if you had studied the newAustrian theory. But perhaps one may make a small concession, for thesake of clearness. "

"Science is exact, " Agatha replied. 

"It's a bold claim for us to make, " he rejoined, smiling. "Our symbolsare guess measures; our elements split up into two or three. But Igather that you refuse to compromise about what, in the meantime, wethink is the truth?"

"I think one must adhere to it, as far as one knows. "

"Well, no doubt, that is the proper line. But I've stopped your lectureand perhaps bored your pupils. "

"No, " said Agatha. "You have helped me over awkward ground, and I expectthey would sooner listen to a stranger. "

He went away with the principal, and Agatha wondered about him as sheresumed her task. It was plain that he knew something about science, butthis was not strange, since geologists and chemists sometimes visitedthe school. After she dismissed her class the principal sent for her. 

"I suppose you don't know who that man is?" she asked. 

Agatha admitted that she did not know and colored when the other toldher. The man was a famous scientist who had recently simplified thesmelting of some refractory British Columbian ores, and was nowunderstood to be occupied with the problem of utilizing certain barrenalkali belts in the West. 

"Oh!" she said, "I talked to him as if he were one of the girls. Infact, I believe I was gently patronizing. "

"I don't think he was much hurt. "

"Then he must have been amused and that is nearly as bad. After he hadgone I imagined I'd seen his portrait somewhere. "

"He hasn't gone yet, " the principal answered with a twinkle. "He'swaiting to see you in the managers' room, and I must confess tosomething of a plot when I brought him in quietly to hear your lecture. "

"But what does he want?" Agatha asked with excited curiosity. 

"I imagine he wants to offer you a post, but he will tell you aboutthis. You have half an hour before the next class. "

Agatha went out, trying to preserve her calm. The man had made his markby the application of science to industry and the thought that she mighthelp him gave her a thrill. This was different work from teachingbeginners; taking them so far and then going over the ground again. Ifshe got the post, she could go on, farther perhaps than she had hoped, and when she had learned enough embark on a career of independentresearch. She thought she had the necessary tenacity and brains. Therewas an obstacle, but she would not hurry to meet it and it might beremoved. 

When she entered the room the man got up and indicated a chair. He askeda few questions, rather carelessly, and afterwards remarked: "MissSouthern had already told me what I most wanted to know. You may haveheard about the work in which I am engaged. "

"Yes, " said Agatha, with a touch of color, "I know what it is now. "

He smiled. "Perhaps it would have been better had I asked Miss Southernto present me, but I'm not very formal. Well, I was asked by theProvincial Government and the railroad to find the best way ofdeveloping the alkali wastes, and the subject is extraordinarilyinteresting. If I can solve the problem, it will make important changesin our irrigation system and enable us to cultivate wide belts of barrensoil. However, I must have help and want a lady who can take the chargeof my correspondence with scientific people and assist in myexperiments. After talking to Miss Southern, I feel I can offer you thepost. "

Agatha thrilled, but used some self-control. 

"But you might not need me long, and I must give up the school. "

He smiled. "If you wished to resume teaching, I daresay your havinghelped in my investigations would be an advantage. "

"Then do you expect me to help much in that way?" Agatha asked withgrowing excitement. 

"Yes; as far as you are able. I am told that you are used to laboratorywork. Would this suit you?"

Agatha's eyes sparkled. "It would realize my pet ambition. "

"Very well. We had better talk about the salary. My notion is--"

Agatha thought the offer generous. She would be richer than she had beenyet and there was an object for which she needed money. She feltflattered and almost overjoyed. The work she was asked to do might starther well on the road she had long wished to take. 

"There is another matter, " the man resumed when she declared that shewas satisfied. "It will be necessary for you to come to Europe. My wifewill take care of you. "

"Then you are going to Europe?" Agatha said with a curious sinking ofher heart. 

"Yes. I must consult an eminent Frenchman and two or three Austrians. They have studied some of the problems I am up against. "

"When do you start?" Agatha asked with forced quietness. 

"In about three weeks, if I can get ready. "

Agatha tried to brace herself. The disappointment was hard to bear, andfor a few moments she engaged in a bitter struggle. If she took the postand went to Europe, she could not go North for a year, and Thirlwellmight not be able to help her then. She knew that she had counted on hishelp, and that without it she could not penetrate far into the wilds. Indeed, it was possible that she could not start at all. 

Yet, if she went North, she must refuse an alluring offer and throw awayan opportunity for making her mark. Her ambition must be abandoned, andif she failed to find the silver, she would have to resume hermonotonous duties at the school. She was beginning to find themstrangely dreary. Then George had warned her against sacrificing heryouth, and perhaps all her life, to the pursuit of a shadow. Her friendsdid not believe in the silver, and she doubted if she could find thevein. Failure might leave her sour and the hardships break her health;she would come back with her savings exhausted to toil and deny herselfagain. Yet the lode was waiting to be found somewhere in the North, andthe duty she had accepted long since must come first. 

"Then I'm sorry I cannot go, " she said with an effort. 

The man looked surprised. "The voyage is short and comfortable if onetravels by a big, fast boat. I expect to work hard, but you would havesome leisure and opportunities for seeing famous pictures, statues, andlaboratories. Then you would meet eminent chemists and learn somethingfrom their talk. In fact, the visit ought to be of help in many ways, and, if you afterwards left my employment, make it easy for you to getanother post. "

Agatha struggled for calm. He had rather understated than exaggeratedthe reasons why she ought to go. Then Toronto and Montreal were the onlycities she knew, and she was offered a chance of seeing some of thecapitals of Europe, with their treasures of art, and meeting men who hadmade famous scientific discoveries. It would help her more than manycertificates if later on she resumed her work of teaching. 

"Ah, " she said in a strained voice, "please don't try to show me allthat I shall miss! I want to go so very much, but it's impossible. If Iwent, I should neglect a duty that has a stronger claim. "

He bowed. "Then, although I'm sorry, there's nothing to be said. Wouldit be an impertinence if I asked about the duty?"

Agatha was silent for a moment or two. Her refusal had cost her much;indeed, she was afraid to think what she had lost and felt she must dosomething to banish the crushing sense of disappointment. 

"No, " she said impulsively; "I cannot resent anything you ask. I muststart North soon to look for a vein of ore my father told me about, I'mforced to make the search, but it would be a long story if I told youwhy. " She hesitated and then went on: "I wonder whether you would lookat this analysis and tell me what you think--I mean if you think thereis ore of that kind on the Northern slope of the Ontario watershed. "

He took the paper she had long carried about and studied it for a time. Then he said: "It is not the ore a practical miner would expect tostrike, but practical miners are sometimes deceived. As a rule, theyknow more about shafts and adits than scientific geology. "

"Would _you_ expect to find the ore where I have told you?"

"Well, " he said thoughtfully, "the Laurentian rocks are very old, andour miners have so far dealt with newer formations. On the whole, Ithink it possible that ore like this has been forced up from unusualdepths. "

"But would the silver be easily refined?"

He smiled. "There would be no trouble about its reduction. If you canlocate the vein, you will be rich. "

Agatha thanked him and went out, feeling somewhat comforted. She hadgiven up much, but she saw a ray of light in the gloom ahead. The wayshe had chosen was difficult, but after all it was the right way, and, if she were resolute, might lead to success. Then she remembered with astrange satisfaction that for a time she need not walk alone: Thirlwellwould be her guide when she plunged into the trackless wilds and sheknew that one could trust him. 

CHAPTER XX

THE PLUNGE

Supper was over at the Farnam homestead and Agatha enjoyed the cool ofthe evening on the veranda with her hosts and George. The school hadclosed for the holidays, and George had arrived as the meal from whichthey had just got up was served. Although he had not stated his objectyet, Agatha knew why he had come and shrank from the vigorous protestshe expected him to make. In the meantime, she had something else tothink about and listened for the noise of wheels. 

Farnam's hired man had driven across to the settlement in the afternoonand she wondered, rather anxiously, whether he would bring her atelegram. She had written to Thirlwell, telling him when she would beready to begin her search for the ore, and now waited his reply. Herletter might take some time to reach him, and she must allow for hismessenger's journey to the railroad from the mine; but she knew shewould feel restless until the answer came. 

The evening was calm, the air was fresher than in the city, and shefound the quiet soothing. A field of timothy grass near the houserippled languidly, the dark heads rising stiffly upright when the faintbreeze dropped. Sometimes there was a movement among the tall blades andfeathery plumes of the Indian corn, and then the rustle stopped andeverything was still. Beyond the zig-zag fence, the fruit trees ranback in rows that converged and melted into a blurred mass at the edgeof the bush. The narrow landscape had no prominent feature. It wassmooth and calm, and Agatha found it rested her eyes and brain. Shewanted to be tranquil, but must shortly rouse herself when Mrs. Farnamand George began their joint attack. George had an ominously determinedlook, and she knew Mabel would give him her support. 

"Why didn't you come and stop with us? Florence expected you, " he saidby and by. 

Agatha saw he was feeling for an opening, and since it was hard to puthim off, answered with a smile: "You are a persistent fellow, and I'mnot fond of argument. I wanted to be quiet. "

"You mean you were afraid I'd get after you about your crank notion offinding the old man's lode? As you haven't talked about it for sometime, I'd begun to hope you had given that folly up. Are you going?"

"Some time; I may go very soon. Perhaps I shall know to-night. "

"Then I'll wait, " George said grimly. "If you get a message from theminer fellow, I may have some remarks to make!"

Farnam began to talk about the fruit crop, and it was half an hour laterwhen Agatha heard a rattle of wheels. Then a rig lurched along theuneven road in a cloud of dust and soon after it vanished among thetrees Farnam's hired man walked up to the veranda. 

"A wire for Miss Strange! There was no mail, " he said. 

Agatha's nerve tingled as she opened the envelope, and then the restlessfeeling left her and she felt very calm. The telegram was fromThirlwell, who stated where he would meet her and that the sum she namedwould be enough. This was a relief, because she had insisted that thejourney should be made at her cost and traveling is expensive in thewilds. 

One needed tents, clothes, and prospecting tools; canoes must be boughtand experienced _voyageurs_ engaged, since the craft and stores wouldhave to be carried across rugged divides. Agatha had for a long timepractised stern economy, doubting if her savings would cover theexpense, and now when she had met all demands she would have very fewdollars left. This did not matter; the money would go round, and shefelt recklessly satisfied. After a moment or two she gave the telegramto George. 

"I start in three days!"

George said nothing, although his face got red, and Agatha studied himwith sympathetic amusement. It was obvious that he was using someself-control while he mustered his forces for an attack. He had begun toget fat and looked rather aggressively prosperous. In fact, George was atypical business man and it was ridiculous to think he could understand. 

"But what about your clothes?" Mrs. Farnam asked. "You must have aspecial outfit for the bush. "

"They're all bought! Before I left Toronto I ordered what I would needto be got ready and properly packed. The things will be sent as soon asthe people get my telegram. You see, I've been thinking about my outfit. One can't take much when it must be carried across the portages. "

George frowned savagely. "You ought to know my sister, Mrs. Farnam! Whenshe undertakes a job she leaves nothing to chance, and I guess she'shad it all fixed some time since. " He turned to Agatha. "I've got torelieve my feelings, if I do nothing else! Well, I suppose youunderstand what this adventure means? Unless you get back before the newterm begins, you'll lose your post, and you take steep chances ofruining your health. You're not used to sleeping on wet ground and goingwithout food. Then you'll have to live with half-tamed _voyageurs_ andperhaps help them track the canoes. They'll upset you in the rapids andthe bush will tear your clothes. I hate to think of my sister goingabout, draggled and ragged, with a bunch of strange men. But that, whilebad enough, is certainly not the worst!"

He stopped to get his breath and then resumed: "You won't find the lode, and you'll come back feeling sick and sore. If they keep you on at theschool, you won't want to teach; you'll think of nothing but saving allyou can and pulling out again. You're like father, and when he took thelone trail the blamed foolishness got such a grip of him that he neverbroke loose. Well, you'll lose your job and the next you get; in fact, you'll come to hate any work that keeps you from the North. But a girlcan't let herself down until she turns into a hobo. It's franklyunthinkable. Pull up and cut out the crazy program before it ruins you!"

"It's too late, " said Agatha. "I knew what I might have to pay when Iresolved to go. "

"I wonder whether you do know. There's something George hasn'tmentioned, " Mrs. Farnam remarked. "I don't think I'm prudish, but youcan't keep your adventure secret, and school managers are censoriouspeople. Have you thought what it may mean if they hear about yourtraveling through the woods with a man who's not a relative and a bandof wild half-breeds?"

"Yes, " said Agatha, coloring, "I have thought of that. "

"But it didn't count?"

"It counted for much, " said Agatha, in a rather strained voice. 

George clenched his fist. "If you're turned out, people will talk. I'llengage to stop the men, but the women are dangerous and I can't getafter them. For my sake, drop your fool plan!"

"I can't. I know the risks, but I must go on. "

"Well, " said George with a gesture of helpless indignation, "I allow I'mbeaten and there's not much comfort in feeling I've done my duty! Ididn't expect you'd bother about my views when I began. Looks as if wegave young women a dangerous freedom. "

"Women have won their freedom; you didn't give it, " Mrs. Farnamrejoined, and then turned to Agatha. "After all, something depends onthe man's character. You haven't told us much about Mr. Thirlwell!"

Agatha did not reply and George said grudgingly: "In a sense, thefellow's all right. I made some inquiries and must admit that I wassatisfied with what I learned. "

"You both take it for granted that Agatha will not locate the vein, "Farnam interposed. "Since Thirlwell manages a mine, he must knowsomething about prospecting, and if he reckons the chances are prettygood--"

"Mr. Thirlwell does not really believe I will find the ore, " Agathasaid with incautious frankness. 

George laughed ironically and Farnam looked surprised, while his wifeasked: "Then why is he going?"

Agatha felt embarrassed. "I don't know--He made me promise I would lethim come. I think prospecting has a charm for miners--"

She stopped as she saw Mrs. Farnam's smile, but it was some relief tonote that George did not seem to remark her hesitation. 

"Well, " he said, "your statement's, so to speak, the climax! The onlyperson who knows anything about the matter thinks you won't find thevein! The blamed proposition's ridiculous from the beginning. " He got upand filled his pipe with an unsteady hand. "I'm too mad to sit still. Guess I'll walk round the orchard and take a smoke. "

Farnam presently went after him, and Mrs. Farnam put her hand onAgatha's arm. 

"My dear, you have pluck, but you have chosen a hard road and given yourfriends a jar. But we are your friends; don't forget that!"

Agatha smiled gratefully, though she found it difficult. "I didn'treally choose. Sometimes I was afraid; but I knew I had to go. "

"Very well, " said Mrs. Farnam. "We won't talk about it. Tell me aboutyour clothes. "

Next day George left the homestead and Agatha walked across the orchardwith him while Farnam harnessed his team. When a rattle of wheels warnedthem that the rig was coming George stopped and said, "This trip willcost you something and your pay's not high. How much do you reckon tohave left when you get back?"

"About ten dollars, " Agatha answered with a twinkle. 

"I knew you had grit. But I want you to understand! I wouldn't give youfive cents to help you find the lode, but you'll go broke on ten dollarslong before your next pay's due. Better take this; it may help you out. "

Agatha took the envelope, but as she began to open it the rig stopped atthe gate, and George put his hand on her shoulder. 

"We mustn't keep Farnam; wait until I've gone, " he said and kissed her. "I'm not going to wish you good luck, but if you have trouble with theschool people when you get back, come along and stop with Florence. I'llinterview the managers, and, if needful, find you another job. "

He hurried off, and when the rattle of wheels died away Agatha openedthe envelope and found a check for a hundred dollars. She felt moved, but smiled. The gift was generous, but the way he had made it was verylike George. 

Three days afterwards, Farnam and his wife drove her to the railroad andshe felt a pang at leaving them when the cars rolled in. The excitementof starting, however, helped her over an awkward few minutes, and shefound a girl on the train who wanted to talk. Besides, it was evening, and after an hour or two the colored porter lighted the lamps and toldher her berth was ready. She slept well, for it was too late to give wayto misgivings now, and soon after she rose next morning the trainstopped at the station where she must get down. 

The conductor threw her baggage out upon the line. The locomotive belltolled, the cars went on, and Agatha's heart sank as she glanced about. It was early morning and thin mist drifted among the pines. There was noplatform, but a small wooden shack with an iron roof stood beside therails, which ran into the forest a hundred yards off. The agent, aftergruffly asking for her checks, vanished into his office and banged thedoor. There was nobody else about, and the place was very quiet exceptfor the murmur of running water. 

A narrow clearing, strewn with ashes and dotted by blackened stumps, ranalong the track, and at its end were three or four shabby frame houses. A rudely painted board on one stated that the building was theStrathcona Hotel. Agatha felt very forlorn. Except for a week or twowith Thirlwell, and once with a band of merry companions at a summercamp she had not seen the rugged bush, and now it daunted her. She wasnot going on a pleasure excursion, from which she could return when sheliked, but to push far into the lonely wilds. She had done withcivilization until she came back; it could not help her when she leftthe railroad. She must live and struggle with savage Nature as theprospectors and half-breeds did. But this was not all; she had, perhaps, cut herself off from other things than the comfort and security thatcivilization offered. 

Mabel Farnam's warning was, no doubt, justified. It was possible thatthe school managers would dismiss her and she would be unable to getanother scholastic post. She might have to give up her occupation andalthough she disliked business earn a frugal living as a clerk. Her facegot hot as she remembered Mabel's statement that her rashness had givenher friends a jar; but in one sense Mabel was wrong. She had not beenrash; she knew she could trust Thirlwell and the men he hired. There wasnothing to fear from them. Still she had made a bold plunge that mightcost her much, and now the reaction had begun she felt slack anddispirited. The plunge, however, was made; she must carry out what shehad undertaken, and it was foolish to indulge her doubts. She tried topull herself together and in a few minutes a man led a team out of thehotel stable. 

He leisurely harnessed the lean horses to a very dirty wagon and thendrove them across the clearing to the track, where he stopped in frontof Agatha's baggage. She noted that his skin was very brown and he hadcoarse black hair. The overalls he wore were very ragged. 

"Mees Strange?" he said. "Dat your truck?"

Agatha said it was, and jumping down he threw her bag and some roughwooden boxes into the wagon. Then he climbed back up the wheel and heldout his hand. 

"_Montez. Allons, en route!_"

Agatha got up with some trouble and when she sat down on a board thatcrossed the vehicle he cracked his whip and the wagon, rocking wildly, rolled away among the stumps and plunged into a narrow trail chopped outof the bush. 

"Eet is long way; we mak' breakfast by and by, " he said. "Thirlwell waitat portage. We arrive to-night, _si tout va bien_. "

Agatha said nothing, but felt somewhat comforted as they jolted alongthe uneven trail. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE WILDERNESS

Dusk was falling and the tired horses plodded slowly past the rows ofshadowy trunks when the sound of running water came out of the gloom. Agatha ached from the jolting and felt cramped and sleepy, but sheroused herself when a light began to flicker among the trees. The driverurged his team, the light got brighter as the rig lurched down a roughincline, and Agatha saw a man standing in the trail. His figure wasindistinct and she could not see his face, but she no longer felt jadedand lonely, for she knew who he was. 

"Tired?" he said in a sympathetic voice as he gave her his hand to getdown when the rig stopped in an opening. "It's a long ride from therailroad, but after all it was better for you to make it in the day. Besides, we must pull out to-morrow. "

Agatha said she was not excessively tired. She liked his matter-of-factmanner and thought he had struck the right note. 

"Have you got the tent I recommended?" he asked. 

"Yes, " she said. "It's in the small box. "

"Then as the poles are cut, the boys will soon put it up. In themeantime, supper's ready. "

He took her across the narrow open space, and when near the fire shestopped and looked about. It was after ten o'clock, but a pale-greenglow shone above the pines, whose ragged tops cut against it in a blacksaw-edge. Below, a river brawled among dark rocks, catching a reflectionhere and there, and then plunging into shadow. It was not dark; shecould see the brush and the wild-berry vines that crawled between thetrunks. Then she turned towards the fire that burned at the foot of aledge. Two or three figures moved about the rocks behind it; sometimespicked out with hard distinctness so that she could see their brownfaces and travel-stained overalls, and sometimes fading into gloom. 

The smoke went nearly straight up and then spread slowly across theriver; the flames leaped among the snapping branches and sank. Stronglights and puzzling shadows played about the camp; there was an aromaticsmell, and the air was keen and bracing. The turmoil of the river ratheremphasized than disturbed the quietness. It was different from the noisycity where the big arc-lights burned above the hurrying crowds, butAgatha did not find it strange. She felt as if she were revisiting ascene she had known before, and thought this was an inheritance from herfather, who had loved the wilds. But perhaps she might go further back;it was, relatively, not long since all Ontario was a wilderness, and shesprang from pioneering stock. 

Then Thirlwell indicated a folding chair and she sat down beside twologs, rolled close together to make a cooking hearth. A kettle and twofrying-pans stood on the logs, supported by both, and the space betweenwas filled with glowing embers, about which flickered little blue andorange flames. Thirlwell gave her a plate and a tin mug, and she foundthe fresh trout and hot bannocks appetizing. Then she liked the acidwild-berries he brought on a bark tray, and the strong, smoke-flavoredtea. She smiled as she remembered that in Toronto she had beenfastidious about her meals and sometimes could not eat food that wasroughly-served. 

When supper was over Thirlwell sat on one of the hearth-logs and lightedhis pipe. Agatha was pleased that he did so. While they were in the bushtheir relations must be marked by an informal friendliness, as if shewere a comrade and partner and not a girl. Anything that hinted at thedifference in their sex must be avoided. 

"You'll get used to camp-life in a few days, " he remarked by and by. "Atfirst I expect you'll find it a change from, the cities. Things arerudimentary in the bush. "

"Nothing jars, except the mosquitoes, " Agatha replied. "I have no senseof strangeness; in fact, I feel as if I had been here before andbelonged to the woods. "

"After, all, you do know something about them. I think you said you hadcamped in the timber. "

"That was different. It was a summer camp, organized by the railroad, and supplied with modern comforts. You bought a ticket and a gasolenelaunch took you up the lake. Then the men wore smart flannels and thegirls new summer clothes. In the evenings one sang and played a banjo, another a mandolin. "

Thirlwell laughed. "You don't like music?"

"I love it; but not ragtime and modern coon songs in the bush. No doubtthe people who went there had earned a holiday, but it would have beendifferent had they gone to fish or hunt. They went to loaf, play noisygames, and flirt. Indeed, I used to think we jarred as much as thehorrible dump of old fruit and meat cans among the willows. "

"I think I know what you mean. Man makes ugly marks on the wildernessunless he goes to farm. A mine, for example, is remarkablyunpicturesque. "

"But it stands for endeavor, for something useful done. "

"Not all mines. A number stand for wasted money. "

"And vanished hopes, " said Agatha. "Do you think I shall find the lode?I want you to be frank. "

Thirlwell hesitated. "On the whole, I don't think so, but my judgmentmayn't be sound and my employer, Scott, does not agree. Anyway, I'llhelp you all I can. "

For a moment or two Agatha studied him. His face was brown and ratherthin and had a hint of quiet force; his easy pose was graceful butvirile. Somehow he did not clash with the austerity of the woods; nordid the other men, who now sat, smoking, round the larger fire. Agathaliked their quietness, their slow, drawling speech and tranquilmovements. She knew she could trust Thirlwell, but remembering a remarkof Mabel Farnam's, she asked herself why he had offered his help. Shecould find no satisfactory answer and thought it better to leave thepuzzle alone. 

"But you are doubtful, " she said. "Confidence is a strong drivingforce. "

"In a way, that's true, " he agreed. "Still it sometimes drives you intomistakes, and when you get to work in the right way it doesn't mattermuch if you're confident or not. Your feelings can't alter Nature'slaws. If you know how the vein dips, you can strike the ore; if you sinkthe shot-hole right, and use enough powder, you split the rock. "

"It's obvious that you are a materialist. "

"I'm a mining engineer, " Thirlwell rejoined with a smile. 

Agatha gave him a quiet, friendly look. "It's lucky I have you to help, because I could not have gone far alone. I've studied Nature's laws inthe laboratory, but in the bush she works on another scale. There's adifference between a blow-pipe flame and the subterranean fires. Now ifI don't find the ore, it will be some comfort to know that I haveproperly tried. " She glanced at her wrist-watch and got up. "It is laterthan I thought!"

"Your tent is ready, " Thirlwell replied. 

She turned and saw a light shining through the V-shaped canvas on theedge of the trees, but although she was tired, felt reluctant to leavethe fire. It had burned low between the logs, but it gave the lonelyspot a comfortable home-like look, and the bush was dark. Thirlwell, sitting where the faint light touched him, somehow added to the charm bya hint of human fellowship. He looked as if he were resting by hishearth, and she had spent a happy hour with him in quiet, half-confidential talk. 

"Thank you. Good-night, " she said, and went away. 

When she reached the tent she looked about with surprise. The earthfloor was beaten smooth and sprinkled with pine-sprays that gave out anaromatic smell; a bed had been cleverly made of thin branches and packedtwigs. Her blankets were neatly folded and the small canvas bucket wasfilled. All she was likely to need was ready, and the boxes that hadheld her outfit were arranged to make a seat and wash-stand. She feltgrateful for this thought for her comfort, and putting out the miner'slamp, sat down on the twig-bed and hooked the canvas door back. 

Although there was no moon, she could distinguish the black pine-trunksacross the river, the lines of foam where the current broke upon thereefs, and the canoes drawn up on the bank. Thirlwell and his _Metis_packers had gone, and as hers was the only tent she wondered where theyslept. The fires were nearly out, and except for the noise of the rivera solemn quietness brooded over the camp. 

She began to muse. She had liked Thirlwell when she met him at thesummer hotel, but she liked him better in the bush. He harmonized withhis surroundings; he was, so to speak, natural, but not at all uncouth. The woods had made him quiet, thoughtful, and vigilant. She had notedhis quick, searching glance, and although there was nothing aggressiveabout him, he had force. Yet she did not think him clever; she had metmen whose mental powers were much more obvious, but when she tried tocontrast them with him, he came out best. After all, character took onefurther than intellectual subtlety. 

Agatha blushed as she admitted that had she wanted a lover she mighthave been satisfied with a man of Thirlwell's type; but she did not wanta lover. She had inherited a duty and must concentrate on finding thesilver vein; the task in a manner set her apart from other women, whocould follow their bent. Sometimes she envied them their freedom andgave way to bitterness, but her austere sense of duty returned. It wasstrong just now, but the picture of Thirlwell sitting opposite by thefire had a happy domestic touch that made her dissatisfied. 

Then she remembered that if she found the vein she would be rich. Sofar, she had not dwelt much on this, because it was not a longing formoney that animated her. All the same, she saw that success in thesearch would give her power and freedom to choose the life she wouldlead. Not long since, she had thought to find happiness in the pursuitof science; and with wealth at her command she could make costlyexperiments and build laboratories. The thought still pleased her, butit had lost something of its charm. Besides, it was too soon for suchspeculations and she must be practical. 

Suppose she did find the ore? The claim must be recorded and developedas the mining laws required, and she would need a man who understoodsuch matters to help her; but it must be a man she could trust. Shecould trust Thirlwell and admitted that she had half-consciouslyallotted him the supposititious post; for one thing, if he were manager, they would not be separated by her success. But this was going too far, and she resolutely pulled herself up. She had not found the vein and wasperhaps thinking about Thirlwell oftener than she ought. Feeling for thehooks, she fastened the tent door and soon afterwards went to sleep. 

They launched the canoes in the cool of the morning, while the mistdrifted among the pines and the sun came up behind the forest. Thestream ran fast and as they toiled up river a brawny half-breed wadedthrough the shallows with the tracking line. Thirlwell stood in thestern, using the pole, and Agatha noted the smooth precision of hismovements. He wasted no effort and did not seem to be working hard, buthe did what he meant and the hint of force was plainer than when hetalked. Two _Metis_ were occupied with the canoe behind and as theypoled and tracked they sang old songs made by the early French_voyageurs_. Although the river had shrunk far down the bank, there waswater enough for the canoes, and Agatha remarked how skilfully the menavoided the rocks in the channel and drove the craft up angry rapids. 

When they nooned upon a gravel bank near the end of a wide lake it wasfiercely hot. The calm water, flashed like polished steel, and Agathacould hardly see the flames of the snapping fire; the smoke went up inthin gray wreaths that were almost invisible. A clump of juniper grewamong the stones and she sat down in the shade and looked about withdazzled eyes. A line of driftwood, hammered by the ice and bleachedwhite by the sun, marked the subsidence of the water from its high, spring level. Small islands broke the shining surface, some covered withstunted trees and some quite bare. The rocks about the beach werecuriously worn, but Agatha knew they had been ground smooth by driftingfloes. Behind the beach, the forest rolled back in waves of somber greento a bold ridge that faded into leaden thunder-clouds. 

The landscape was wild, and although it had nothing of the savagegrandeur Agatha expected, she thought it forbidding. Its influence wasinsidious; one was not daunted by a glance, but realized by degrees itsgrimness and desolation. The North was not dramatic, except perhaps whenthe ice broke up; the forces that molded the rugged land worked with astern quietness. It looked as if they also molded the character of themen who braved the rigors of the frozen waste. The _Metis_ were notvivacious like the French _habitants_; they were marked by a certaingrave melancholy and their paddling songs had a plaintive undertone. Yettheir vigor and stubbornness were obvious, and Agatha thought Thirlwellwas like his packers, in a way. He was not melancholy, and indeed, oftenlaughed, but one got a hint of reserve and unobtrusive strength. He didnot display his qualities, as some of the professors and business menshe knew had done, but she imagined they would be seen if there wasneed. 

"In a sense, the North is disappointing, " she remarked. "I expected tofeel rather overwhelmed, but I'm not. "

"Wait, " said Thirlwell, smiling. "After a few hundred miles of lonelytrail you'll know the country better. I don't want you to get to loveit; but in the wilderness love often goes with fear. "

"Once I thought that impossible, " Agatha replied. "Now I don't know. I'mbeginning to recognize that I'm not as modern as I thought. But have youever been frankly afraid of the wilds?"

"Often. When you meet the snow on the frozen trail, a hundred miles fromshelter, mind and body shrink. Perhaps it's worse when all that standsfor warmth and life is loaded on the hand-sledge you haul across therotten ice. Then it's significant that the _Metis_ are sometimes moreafraid than white men. They know the country better. "

"They haven't the civilized man's intellect. Ignorance breedssuperstition that makes men cowards. "

"That's so, to some extent, " Thirlwell agreed. "I suppose superstitionis man's fear of dangers he can't understand and his wish to propitiatethe unknown powers that rule such things. You and I call these powersnatural forces, for which we have our weights and measures; but I mustown that the measures are often found defective when applied to mining. I've met rock-borers who would sooner trust a mascot than a scientificrule. "

"We are a curious people, " Agatha remarked with a laugh. "But you passeda smooth beach with good shade where the river runs out. Why did youcome on here?"

"The other's the regular camping spot. I remembered that you don't likeold provision cans. "

Agatha was pleased. He had thought about her and remembered herdislikes. While she wondered how she could tactfully thank him, he wenton--

"Besides, I wanted to make another mile or two. A good day's journey isimportant. "

"Would a mile or two make much difference?"

"You would have to take the distance off at the other end. The economyof travel in the North is sternly simple, and transport's the maindifficulty. You can travel a fixed distance on a fixed quantity of food, and how much you take depends on the skill and number of your packers. Good men get good wages and money does not go far. I want to save up asmany miles as possible for our prospecting. "

"I see, " said Agatha. "Yet you stated that you didn't think we wouldfind the lode!" Then she gave him a shrewd glance. "Aren't you a littleimpatient to get on now?"

"I am, " he admitted, turning to the south. "There's a threat of thunderand I'd like to cross the lake before the storm comes. "

Agatha got up and in a few minutes they launched the canoes. The heatwas overwhelming and Agatha felt no movement of the air, but the _Metis_sweated and panted as they labored at the paddles. The thud of theblades came back in measured echoes from the motionless pines and afan-shaped wake trailed far across the glassy lake. In the meantime, thecloud bank rolled up the sky like a ragged arch and covered the sun. Theglare faded and a thick, blue haze crept out upon the water, until itlooked as if the horizon advanced to meet them, but the heat did not getless. At the edge of the haze, an island loomed indistinctly and by andby Thirlwell turned to Agatha. 

"There's a good beach behind the point and shelter among the rocks, " hesaid in a breathless voice. "Would you like to stop?"

"How long should we have to stop?"

He looked up at the moving cloud, which was fringed with raggedstreamers. 

"I imagine we wouldn't get off again to-day. "

"Then we'll go on, " said Agatha. 

Thirlwell signed to the _Metis_, who had slackened their efforts, andthe foam swirled up at the bows as they drove the paddles through thewater. 

CHAPTER XXII

BEFORE THE WIND

Soon after the island melted into the gloom, a flash of lightning leapedfrom the cloud and spread like a sheet of blue flame across the water. For a second, Agatha saw black rocks and trees stand out against anoverwhelming glare, and then they vanished and she saw nothing at all. Lightning is common in Canada, but this had a terrifying brillianceunlike any that she had known. While her dazzled eyes recovered from theshock she was deafened by a crash that rolled among the cloud-banks intremendous echoes, and before it died away another blaze leaped down. Itwas rather a continuous stream of light than a flash, because it did notbreak off but, beginning overhead, ran far across the lake. The nextenveloped the canoes in an awful light and she felt her hair cracklebefore the thunder came. 

She was too entranced to feel afraid, and glanced at Thirlwell withhalf-closed eyes. His face was set and his mouth shut tight, but he waspaddling hard and she heard the others' labored breath as they kept timewith him. The reason for their haste, however, was not plain; the stormwas terribly violent, but they would be no safer in the woods than onthe lake. Yet it was obvious that they wanted to reach land. 

After a stunning crash, the thunder began to roll away, the lightningglimmered fitfully farther off, and a torrent of rain broke upon thecanoes. Agatha was wet before she could put on her slicker, and when shesat, huddled together, with head bent to shield her face from thedeluge, she could not see fifty yards in front. The water was pitted bythe rain, which rebounded from its surface with angry splashes. It randown the half-breeds' faces and soaked their gray shirts, but they didnot stop paddling to put on their coats. Agatha wondered with someuneasiness what they thought was going to happen. 

The rain got lighter suddenly and a cold draught touched her forehead. She saw Thirlwell glance astern, although he did not miss a stroke. Hissoaked hat drooped about his head and his thin overalls were dripping;she thought he saw she was looking at him, but he did not speak. Thenthe haze that had shut them in rolled back and a dark line advancedacross the lake. It had a white edge and there was a curious humming, rippling noise that got louder. Thirlwell signed to one of the _Metis_, who stepped a mast in the hole through a beam and loosed a small sail. The sail blew out like a flag, snapping violently, and the man struggledhard to push up the pole that extended its peak. Then he hauled thesheet, and the canoe swayed down until her curving gunwale was in thewater. The half-breed moved to the other side and Thirlwell beckonedAgatha. 

"Come aft by me!"

She obeyed, although it was difficult to crawl over the cargo in thebottom of the sharply slanted craft. The humming noise had changed to ashriek, but it did not drown the turmoil of the water. Short waves withblack furrows between them rolled up astern and although they were nothigh they looked angry. Agatha saw that Thirlwell wanted to trim thecanoe. He held a long paddle with the handle jambed against the pointedstern, and the canoe's side rose out of the water as she paid off beforethe wind. 

"We could do nothing with the paddles, " he said. "A sail's no use in ariver-canoe, but these heavy freighters run pretty well. Luckily it's afair wind to the river mouth. "

Agatha could scarcely hear him, but when she asked how far it was henodded as if he understood. 

"Three or four miles! Not much sweep for the wind, but it will raise anasty sea before we get there. "

Gazing at the driving clouds that blotted out the forest, she tried toask if he could find the river, but just then the canoe rolled and thelittle spritsail swelled like a balloon. There was a hiss and a splash, and the top of a wave that split at the stern and rolled forward pouredin at the waist. Thirlwell bent over the paddle and slackened the sheet, the canoe swung her bows out, and leaped ahead. Spray blew about inshowers; the foam stood in a ridge amidships and boiled high about thestern. It seemed to Agatha that they were traveling like a toboggan, andshe had an exhilarating sense of speed that banished the thought ofdanger. 

"How fast are we going?" she shouted. 

"I don't know. Five miles an hour, perhaps!"

It sounded ridiculous; Agatha had felt as if they were flying. Then shesaw that skill was needed to keep the canoe before the wind andThirlwell ran two risks. If he let the craft fall off too far, the sailwould swing across and she might be capsized by the shock; if he lether swerve to windward, the following wave would break on board and shewould be swamped. Thirlwell looked highly strung but very cool. Amistake would have disastrous consequences; if he gave way to the strainfor a moment, the canoe would sink. But she knew he would not give way, and it was comforting to see that the half-breed shared her confidence. He was, no doubt, a _voyageur_ from his boyhood, but it was plain thathe did not want to take the steering paddle. 

Sometimes, when a savage gust screamed about them and whipped up thespray in clouds, Thirlwell let the sheet run round a pin; sometimes hesank the paddle deep and she saw its handle bend and the blood flush hisface. Drops of sweat ran down his forehead, but his glance was fixed andcalm. The strain on brain and muscle braced without exciting him; heseemed to accept it as something to which he was used. He could betrusted in an emergency, and for some obscure reason she was glad tofeel he was the man she had thought. 

Then she watched the other canoe, which had dropped astern. The _Metis_had set their sail, but she was not running well. She swerved when shelifted with the waves and rolled until it looked as if she wouldcapsize. Now and then a sea broke over the gunwale and a crouchinghalf-breed desperately threw out the water. Another sat on a beam in thehigh stern and his pose was strangely tense. But for all Agatha's trustin Thirlwell, it was daunting to watch the laboring craft and the seasthat threatened to swamp her. They looked worse when one saw theirhollow fronts and raging crests, and Agatha fixed her eyes ahead. 

The haze was thinning and now and then the blurred outline of treesbroke through; but one belt of forest looked like another and shespeculated with some uneasiness about the chance of Thirlwell's findingthe river. If he did not find it, they would run some risk, because themen could not paddle to windward and the canoes might be smashed on asteep, rocky beach. They ran on, and sometimes the trees got plainer andsometimes vanished, but at length, when a savage gust rolled the hazeaway, Agatha saw an unbroken line of rocks and foam. It looked veryforbidding and she wondered what Thirlwell would do. 

"Sit as far as you can to windward, " he shouted, and while she awkwardlyobeyed the half-breed got up on the side of the canoe. 

Agatha understood what this meant. Thirlwell had missed the river mouthand meant to skirt the coast, but when he tried to do so the wind wouldbe abeam and its power to heel the canoe largely increased. So far, theyhad run before the gale, but to bring the craft's side to it was adifferent thing. 

She set her lips as she watched Thirlwell haul the spritsail sheet. Hewas cautious and for a few moments brought the craft's head up with thepaddle and kept the small sail fluttering. Then he let her go and shelurched down until her side amidships was in the water. To Agatha'ssurprise, not much came on board; it looked as if they were going toofast and the lee bow was the dangerous spot. In the plunges, the wavesboiled up there, and one could feel the canoe tremble as she lurchedover the tumbling foam. Then Agatha noted that Thirlwell was notsteering with the gale quite abeam; he was edging the craft to windwardas far as he could, but the beach got nearer and it was plain that theywere drifting sideways while they forged ahead. Agatha began to doubt ifhe could keep them off the rocks. 

He did not look disturbed. His glance was fixed to windward and hismovements were strangely quick. Agatha saw that he kept the canoe fromcapsizing by the skilful use of paddle and sheet. When the craft couldnot stand the pressure he let the sail blow slack, and then hauled thesheet again, dipping his paddle to help her over a breaking wave. Soundjudgment was plainly needed and the man must instantly carry out thedecision he made. Handling a canoe in a breaking sea demanded higherqualities than Agatha had thought. She was getting anxious, for therocks were nearer and one could see the angry surges sweep in tongues offoam far up their sides. It was surprising that such a sea could rise ona small lake. She could swim, but not much, and shrank from crawlingout, half-drowned and draggled, from the surf; for one thing, Thirlwellwould see her. She admitted that this was illogical and she ran worserisks, but it troubled her. A few moments afterwards, Thirlwell changedhis course with a thrust of the paddle and slacked the sheet. 

"All right now!" he shouted. "We'll find smooth water in a hundredyards. "

A steep rock, washed by spouting foam, detached itself from the othersand a narrow channel opened up between it and the beach. Agatha thoughtit looked horribly dangerous, but Thirlwell headed for the gap. Theylurched through on the top of a curling wave, and she saw the mouth ofthe river behind the rock. The current rose in crested ridges where itmet the wind, but the ridges were smaller than the waves on the lake andgradually sank to splashing ripples as the canoe ran up stream betweendark walls of forest. The trees did not cut off the wind, which followedthe channel, and by and by Thirlwell looked at Agatha. 

"We have made a good run, but it isn't often one gets a fair wind likethis, and poling against the stream is slow work. Still we'll stop andpitch camp when you like. "

"Shall we save a day for our prospecting if we go on until dark?"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell, "we'll certainly gain a day. "

Agatha was cold and wet and cramped. She longed to stop, but it wasimportant to save time and she wanted Thirlwell to see that she hadpluck. 

"Then go on as far as you can, " she replied. 

She had half expected the _Metis_ to grumble, but they did not. Itlooked as if Thirlwell had carefully chosen his men, and she found outlater that no fatigue she could bear troubled them. After a time, thewind dropped as they ran round a bend, and getting close to the highbank, they began to pole. At dusk they ran the canoe aground on asheltered beach, and Agatha landed, feeling very tired and cold. Whensupper was over and they sat by the fire she did not want to talk, and, going to her tent, soon fell asleep. 

Next day they poled against the current and paddled, in bright sunshine, across a lake. At noon they camped among short junipers, and the nextmorning carried the empty canoes, upside down, across a rocky point. Itcost twelve hours' labor, relaying the loads, to make the portage, andthen they launched upon another lake. After two more days they left thecanoes, covered with fir-branches, on a beach, and pushed inland. Anarrow trail led them across a high divide, seamed by deep gullies, where stunted pines and juniper grew among the rocks, and they portagedthe loads by stages, carrying part for an hour or two, and then goingback. Agatha was surprised to see how much a man could carry with thehelp of properly adjusted straps. 

When the divide was crossed they found two canoes by the bank of a smallcreek, down which they drifted with the swift current. Then there was achain of lakes, veiled in mist and rain, and after making a portage theyreached a wider stream. They followed it down through tangled woods andwhen they camped late one evening, Agatha sat silent by the fire, tryingto retrace their journey and speculating about what lay ahead. For themost part, her memory was blurred, and hazy pictures floated through hermind of lonely camps among the boulders and small pine-trunks, ofbreathless men dragging the canoes up angry rapids, and carrying heavyloads across slippery rocks. Their track across the wilderness wasmarked by little heaps of ashes and white chips scattered about fallentrees. 

But some of the memories were sharp; there was the evening she foundThirlwell carrying her belongings a double stage in order that she mighthave all she needed when they camped. He panted as he leaned against atree and his face and hair were wet; she felt moved but angry that hehad exhausted himself for her. She did not want him to think she knewwhat her comfort cost and was willing to let him buy it at such a price. She remembered that she had begun to speculate rather often about whathe thought. 

Then there was the morning they saw a half-covered rock a few yards offin the foam of a furious rapid. She had tried to brace herself for theshock, expecting next moment to be thrown into the water, but Thirlwellwith a sweep of the paddle ran the canoe past. So far, he had neverfailed in an emergency, and she felt that she could not have chosen abetter guide and companion. He was resourceful and overcamedifficulties; he seemed to know when she would sooner be quiet and whenshe liked to talk. They had talked much beside the camp-fires, andalthough he was not clever, she remembered what he said. 

But she had something else to think about that gave her a sense of lossand a poignant melancholy. Indeed, she had forced her mind to dwell uponthe other matters in order to find relief, and she was glad whenThirlwell broke the silence. 

"We ought to make the Shadow by to-morrow noon, and the mine in theevening. "

"I think we go down the Grand Rapid before we reach the mine?"

Thirlwell made a sign of agreement, and after a moment's hesitation shegave him a quick glance. 

"I wonder if you know what day to-morrow is? I mean the associations ithas for me?"

"Yes, " he said in a sympathetic voice. "I thought you would sooner nottalk about it; but I remember. In a way, it's curious you should be herenow. "

"Ah, " she said, "I wanted to be in the North when the day came round, but I did not imagine I should go down the rapid in the evening. It wasin the evening the canoe capsized!"

"Dusk was falling; the smoke of a bush fire blew across the river, andthere was a moon. "

"The moon will be out to-morrow, " Agatha said quietly. "It is strange; Icouldn't have arranged that things should happen like this!"

She paused for some moments and then resumed: "Perhaps it is ridiculous, but I imagine now I am going to find the lode. The doubts I started withhave gone; I feel calmly confident. "

Thirlwell noted the emotional tremble in her voice and thought he hadbetter use some tact. 

"I must see the load that got wet is properly put up, " he said, andmoved back into the shadow; but Agatha sat still, watching the smokecurl among the dark trunks. 

She had not exaggerated, for a feeling of quiet confidence had beengetting stronger all day. There was no obvious reason for it and thedifficulties she must overcome were greater than she had thought; butshe felt that she would succeed. After all, her father had loved herbest, she was making the search for his sake, and when she reached thescene of his efforts she would find some help. The hope was, of course, illogical and she was a teacher of science; but it was unshakable andcomforted her. Then she mused about her father's life in the wilds. Something had happened to him, for she had noted Thirlwell's reserve. Perhaps bitter disappointment had broken him down; she did not know andwould not ask. It was enough that he had loved her; she was satisfiedwith this. 

CHAPTER XXIII

STRANGE'S LEGACY

It was afternoon when the canoes slid out from the forest on to thebroad expanse of the Shadow River. The day was calm and hot, althoughthe sky was covered with soft gray clouds, that subdued the light. Theriver had shrunk, for the driftwood on the bank stood high above thewater level, and Thirlwell had only known it sink so low during thesummer when Strange was drowned. For all that, the current ran fast andthe long rows of pines rolled swiftly back to meet the canoes as theyfloated down. The trees had lost their rigid outline and melted gentlyinto the blue distance, while the savage landscape was softened by theplay of tender light and shadow. 

Agatha was glad that Thirlwell did not talk and thought he knew shewanted to be quiet. This was a day she set apart from other days when itcame round, for it was in the evening her father's canoe capsized. Sincethey drifted out on the Shadow, she had followed the track of his lastvoyage, and wondered with poignant tenderness what he had thought andfelt. Somehow she did not believe he had come back embittered bydisappointment, and it was perhaps strange that she did not feel sad. Indeed, she felt nothing of the shrinking she had feared. Although hereyes filled now and then, her mood was calm, and sorrow had yielded to agentle melancholy. 

In the meantime, the current swept them on, past rippling eddies andrings of foam about half-covered rocks, and presently a gray trail ofsmoke stretched far along the bank. Thirlwell said the woods wereburning; they often burned in summer, though nobody knew how the fireswere lighted. By degrees the trees got dimmer, but the water shone witha pale gleam and presently the moon came out between drifting clouds. Then as they swept round a bend a throbbing Agatha had heard for sometime got suddenly loud and she glanced at Thirlwell. 

"The Grand Rapid, " he said. "The water's very low; it's quite safe. "

Agatha knew he did not think she was afraid; he had tactfully pretendedto misunderstand her glance, and she fixed her eyes ahead. The shadowswere deeper and the forest was indistinct, but it was not dark. Besides, the moon was getting bright and threw a glittering beam across theriver. She could see for some distance and not far in front the waterwas furrowed and marked by lines of foam. The stream ran very fast andthe throbbing swelled into a deep, sullen roar. There was a smell ofburning, and now and then a trail of smoke drifted out from the bank, beyond which a red glow glimmered against the sky. It was like this, shethought, on that other evening when her father returned from his lastjourney, but the melancholy she had felt had given way to a strangeemotional excitement. Somehow she knew the pilgrimage she had made forhis sake would end as she had hoped. 

For all that, she set her lips and grasped the side of the canoe whenthey came to the top of the rapid. Spray that looked like steam rolledacross the water, blurring the tops of the crested waves that ran backas far as one could see, and here and there in the smooth black patchesa wedge of foam boiled behind a rock. Outside the furious mid-streamrush of the current, dark eddies revolved in angry circles and theirbackwash weltered along the bank. Thirlwell seemed to be steering forthis belt and Agatha thought he meant to run down through the slack. Asthey swerved towards the rocks she looked round sharply, for there was ashout from the canoe astern--

"_Voici qui ven!_"

An indistinct figure scrambled along the rough bank, turning andtwisting among the driftwood and boulders. For the most part, the bankwas in shadow, but in places where the trees were not so thick themoonlight pierced the gloom. 

"But he run!" exclaimed the _Metis_ in Thirlwell's canoe. "Lak' caribou, _vent' a terre_. "

"_Pren' garde!_" said Thirlwell warningly, and thrust hard with hispaddle as the canoe drove past a foam-lapped rock. 

"It is the chase he make, " the half-breed resumed, and another figurecame out of the gloom, a short distance in front of the one they hadseen. 

The man moved feebly, stumbling now and then, but it was obvious that hemeant to keep ahead of his pursuer. As he crossed a belt of moonlightone of the _Metis_ recognized him, for he cried: "_Steve le sauage!Regardez moi l'ivrogne!_"

Agatha thought the man was drunk. This would account for hisawkwardness, but as he turned and staggered down the bank she saw himplainer and he looked ill. He dragged himself along with an effort, hisgait was uneven, as if one leg was weak, but he went on towards thewater's edge. A moment later he pushed off a canoe, made a few strokeswith the paddle, and then let her swing out with an eddy until she wascaught by the mid-stream rush. After this he crouched in the stern andthe craft began to drift down the rapid. The other man stopped and threwout his arms, as if he meant to protest that he could do nothing more. 

"Father Lucien!" said Thirlwell. "Black Steve's risking a capsize. "

They sped past the man upon the bank and Agatha watched the crouchingfigure in the canoe. The craft was a short distance in front of, butoutside, theirs, and she could see the danger of her being smashed orswamped. It was plain that the only safe way down was through the slackalong the bank, but the man made no effort to reach this smoother belt. He let the paddle trail in the water while the canoe rocked among theangry waves. His rashness fascinated Agatha and she could not look away, although she knew she might see him drown. 

"Can't you do something?" she asked Thirlwell. 

"No, " he said sternly. "We're loaded and would be swamped. Steve's drunkand must take his chance. "

A few moments later the canoe in front plunged down a furious rush ofthe current, lurched up on a white wave, rolled over, and vanished. Agatha trembled, and felt cold, and the _Metis_ shouted: "_V'la! C'enest fait--_"

A black object that looked like a head rose from the racing foam andAgatha turned to Thirlwell imperiously--

"Go and help him. "

He hesitated and she knew it was on her account. Then he lifted hispaddle. 

"_Au secour!_"

The canoe swerved, swung out from the slack, and plunged into the foam. She lifted her bows high out of the water while a white ridge rolled upastern, and for the next minute or two Agatha saw nothing clearly. Spraybeat upon her, whipping her face; she had a confused sense of furiousspeed, but felt that the canoe was controlled. Water splashed on board;the _Metis_ bent forward and his shoulders moved in savage jerks. Behindthem, the other canoe plunged down the rapid, rather bounding thansliding from wave to wave. In front, the black shape of the overturnedcraft washed to and fro like a drifting log. Thirlwell shouted as theysped past a rock, the canoe was swung violently sideways, and they wereout of the main rush. There was an eddy behind the rock and the waterran round in white-lined rings. The moonlight fell across the center andAgatha saw a man's dark head. 

Thirlwell backed his paddle and as they swept round in a semi-circle the_Metis_ stretched out his arm. They were very near the man in the waterand when he spun round like a cork in the revolving backwash themoonlight touched his wet face. Agatha, leaning over the side, saw thathe was the man who had broken into Farnam's house. The half-breed missedhim and he looked up at her as the canoe shot past. He was so close thatshe could almost touch him, and she saw a look of fear in his staringeyes. Then, without making an effort to reach the canoe, he slippedunder Thirlwell's hand and sank. 

The canoe turned and an indistinct object broke the surface. Itvanished, the canoe was swept back to the edge of the main rush, and fora minute or two Thirlwell and the half-breed struggled desperately. Whenthey reached the slack again, there was nothing but angry water andracing foam. The man had gone and Agatha shivered and felt faint. 

After that she had a hazy impression of streaming woods and flying beltsof gloom as they swept down through the slack, until they drove out uponthe tail-pool. For some minutes Thirlwell and the half-breeds battledwith the eddies, and then they floated on smoothly and a light began totwinkle among the pines. 

Thirlwell steered for the bank and Scott and some of the miners met themat the landing. Agatha was glad to leave the canoe, for her nerves werebadly jarred. 

Thirlwell presented Scott, who took them to the shack, which looked asif it had been recently cleaned. He said Agatha must make use of it fora day or two, and he and Thirlwell would find a berth in the store-shed. Then they began to talk about the accident and Scott said, "Driscollcame back from the bush, looking ill, a week since and shut himself upin his shack. One of the boys told Father Lucien, who went along to lookafter him and found him very sick. That's all I know. "

Agatha asked a few questions and then told them about the burglary. 

"I am sure he was the man who opened my trunk, " she said. 

"Ah!" said Scott. "Do you think he knew you?"

"I believe he did. It's curious, but I thought he was afraid. "

"Perhaps he was afraid, " Scott agreed, with a meaning look at Thirlwell, who got up. 

"I had better go to meet Father Lucien. He'll come down to the landingafter us. "

He found the missionary hurrying along the bank, and stopping him, satdown. 

"Driscoll's gone; we did our best to pick him up, " he remarked andrelated what had happened. "We may find him in the tail-pool to-morrow, but I imagine he'll be washed away down river, like his victim. "

"Then you think Strange was his victim?"

"I can't doubt it now. But how did Steve get out of the shack?"

"Perhaps that was my fault, but he had been delirious for a day andnight; and in the afternoon, when he was calmer, I went to sleep. One isapt to sleep too long when one is tired. When I wakened he was not inbed and a whisky bottle I had taken from him was nearly empty. I thinkhe must have disturbed me as he moved about, because when I went outsideI saw him making for the river. I ran, but I came too late, and you knowthe rest. "

"You are not to blame, " said Thirlwell. "You have twice taken pity on aman who tried to starve you. He meant you to die of hunger the night hestole into your camp. "

"He is dead. One must be charitable. What would he gain by leaving me todie?"

"Don't you know?" Thirlwell asked. "We can talk frankly now the matterhas been taken out of our hands. When he got better after the firstattack, the time I kept watch with you, he had probably some remembranceof his ravings. Anyhow, I expect he remembered he'd got a fright and mayhave talked. He thought you knew too much. "

"It's possible, " said Father Lucien, very quietly. 

Thirlwell was silent for a few moments and then resumed: "I hesitatedabout going to his help. We were heavily loaded, the risk was great, andI thought Miss Strange's life worth more than his. She made me go and Ibelieve I could have saved him, but he saw her and let himself sink. Shedeclares he looked afraid!"

"It is very strange. "

"I don't find it strange, " said Thirlwell. "There's a touch of dramaticjustice about the thing that appeals to me. I suppose you know what dayit is? _Driscoll knew_. "

Father Lucien shook his head. "What is one day more than another, whenall wrongs are put right and crimes punished in the end? Justice is nottheatrical, but the obstinate offender cannot escape. " He paused andthen resumed: "Well, we shall never know all that happened, and as youhave said, the matter is no longer in our hands. Perhaps for the girl'ssake--"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell, "she has borne enough. You can imagine the shockshe'd get if we found out, and had to tell her. The thing's done with. It's some relief to feel that my responsibility has gone. "

Father Lucien made a sign of agreement. "I will come to see herto-morrow, " he said, but Thirlwell knew that Agatha would never learnfrom him that Strange's canoe had not been accidentally capsized. 

Early next morning Thirlwell went to the tail-pool, but nothing exceptsome driftwood washed about in the eddy. The latter had worn out a deephollow and he scrambled over the rocks in order to look down into itsrevolving depths. There was nothing there, and when going back he madehis way across some worn slabs that had been covered until the watersank to an unusually low level. By and by he stopped at the edge of apool. A small round object that was not the color of the stones lay atthe bottom. 

Thirlwell knelt down and rolling up his sleeve got the object out. Itwas made of white metal that had tarnished but not corroded, and lookedlike an old-fashioned pocket tobacco-box. The thing was well made, forhe could hardly find the joint of the lid and below the latter there wassome engraving. He rubbed it with a little fine sand and then started ashe read a name. It was Strange's tobacco-box and a light dawned on him. 

He knew now why Driscoll had haunted the reefs when the water was low, and thought he knew what was inside the box. This was the thing Strange_had taken with him_. But Driscoll had looked in the wrong place. Thebox was heavy, but perhaps a flood had rolled it down the rapid, or ithad fallen from Strange's pocket when the stream washed his rottingclothes away. 

Thirlwell shook the box and something rattled inside, after which henoted a dark smear round the edge of the lid. He scraped this with hisknife and thought the stuff was a waterproof gum the freighters used tocaulk their canoes. It looked as if Strange had carefully made the jointwatertight, and Thirlwell's curiosity was strongly excited, but the boxwas not his. It was too early to look for Agatha, and he waited withsome impatience until she came out of the shack and sat down in thesunshine after breakfast. 

"I think this was your father's, " he said, putting the box in her hand, and told her how he had found it. 

Agatha started. "Yes; I gave it him on his birthday long since. It wasbright then; old English pewter, I think. I saw it in a little storewhere they sold curiosities, and had it engraved. "

Somewhat to Thirlwell's annoyance, Scott came up with Father Lucien, whom he presented to Agatha, but she did not put the box away. 

"Mr. Thirlwell found this in the river, but the lid is fast, " she said. "Will somebody help me to open it?"

Scott took the box into the shack, where he had some tools, and broughtit back with the lid just raised above its socket. He gave it to Agathaand was going away when she stopped him. 

"I would like you and Father Lucien to wait. You knew my father, and Ithink there is something important in the box. "

They came nearer and, pressing back the lid, she shook out a few smallstones. 

"Specimens!" she said in a strained voice, holding out two or three toThirlwell. "Don't you think they're very like the piece I gave you?"

Thirlwell examined the stones and handed them to Scott, who nodded. 

"This stuff and the specimen Thirlwell showed me came from the samevein. "

"There's something else, " Agatha resumed, taking out a folded paper. Herhand shook as she opened it and the tears gathered in her eyes. Then shegave Thirlwell the paper. 

"Will you read it for me? I can't see very well. "

The paper was spotted with mildew, torn at the bottom, and cut at thefolds, but holding it carefully, he read--

"_The Agatha Mine_; frontage on the lode staked by Gordon Strange. "

Compass bearings, calculated distances, and landmarks were given next, and then the writing stopped an inch or two from the bottom of thesheet. 

"Your father found the lode, " Thirlwell said, very quietly. 

Agatha looked up with a curious smile. "Yes; I feel as if he had _sent_me this. I have come into my inheritance and it is easier than Ithought!" She paused and added: "Once or twice I was afraid and nearlylet it go. "

CHAPTER XXIV

AGATHA RESUMES HER JOURNEY

There was silence for a minute or two after Agatha had spoken, and thenFather Lucien said, "Now we know what Driscoll looked for. Few secretscan be kept. "

Thirlwell gave him a warning glance that Agatha did not note. She wasgazing across the river, her face towards the North, as if she hadforgotten the others, but she presently roused herself. 

"Can we start to-morrow?" she asked. 

"No, " said Thirlwell firmly, "you must rest for two or three days, andthere are a number of things to be got. "

"I don't think I can rest until I have seen the lode. "

"You will have to try. It may be some time yet before we find the spot. For one thing, the directions aren't complete. You see they stop--"

Agatha took the paper. "Yes; I hadn't noticed that. It begins veryclearly and then breaks off. I wonder why. "

Thirlwell said nothing. It looked as if Strange had been interrupted;the shakiness of the last few lines hinted that they had been written inhaste. There was a space between the last and the bottom of the paper. Perhaps Driscoll had joined him and he had distrusted the man, who mighthave come into the camp while he was writing. Then, when he afterwardssealed the box, he had forgotten that he had not finished what he meantto say; but, if the supposition were correct, this was not remarkable. Strange might have taken some liquor with him. But Agatha must notsuspect. 

"The paper states the claim was staked, " she resumed. "So far as thatgoes, it makes the ore mine. George must have a share, but I mean towork the lode. "

"I'm afraid it doesn't go very far, " Scott remarked. "The law requiresthat the discoverer stakes off the ground he is entitled to and thenregisters the claim at the nearest record office. After this he must doa certain amount of development work before he gets his patent andbecomes the owner of the mine. The claim has not been recorded yet. "

"No; it has lapsed, " Agatha agreed. "This means that any adult Britishcitizen may make a re-discovery record. Well, we must do so, as soon aswe can. "

"Developing a mine is rough work for a woman. "

Agatha smiled. "There's something about the discoverer being allowed toappoint a deputy, and perhaps Mr. Thirlwell will look after myinterests. But won't you see about getting us all that he thinksneedful?"

"I'll see about it now, " said Scott, who took Thirlwell away, butstopped when they were hidden by the pines. 

"Strange has given you a useful clue, but that's all, " he said. "You'llfind the lode if you find the valley, but you may look for a long time. "

Thirlwell made a sign of agreement. "Yes; there's something curiouslyelusive about this ore. "

"All the same, it's certainly worth a proper search; but you'll need alarge quantity of truck and one or two extra packers. I understand MissStrange insists upon everything being done at her cost. Has she moneyenough?"

"I think not. "

"You know she has not! Looks as if you had forgotten you showed me herletter when she stated the sum. It's hard to see how it covers expensesup to date. "

Thirlwell looked embarrassed and Scott laughed. "You seem to have beengenerous, particularly as you didn't believe in the lode; but anythingyou have saved from your wages won't carry you far. Well, you can takethe truck and tools you need, and I'll give you two of the boys. MissStrange can pay me when she gets her patent, or, if she likes, I'll buttin on a partnership basis and run my risk. She can decide which lineshe'll take after she locates the ore. "

"Thanks; I'll take the truck, " said Thirlwell. 

He knew Scott wanted to help him and not to gain something for himself, but it might be an advantage for Agatha to make an arrangement with himwhen she owned the mine. 

"There's another thing, " Scott went on. "Since the Clermont isn'tpaying, I might lend you to Miss Strange if you were anxious toundertake the development work, but the law doesn't require very much ofthis. What are you going to do when the patent's granted?"

Thirlwell made an abrupt movement. Until that morning he had doubted ifAgatha would find the vein, but he was forced to admit the possibilityof her doing so. When the vein was proved and she owned the claim shewould no longer need him as she needed him now; nor would he be able toneglect his duties and follow her about as unpaid adviser. 

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I haven't thought about it yet. "

"Miss Strange must have a manager. If you're willing to undertake thejob, I daresay I could let you go. Then, if she wouldn't sooner trusther judgment, I think I could give you a pretty good character. "

"No, " said Thirlwell sharply, and stopped. He suspected that Scott wasamused, and it jarred him to think of becoming Agatha's hired servant. 

"Well, " said Scott, with a twinkle, "exploring the bush with a charminggirl is no doubt very pleasant while the summer lasts, but it doesn'tlead to much. In fact, so far as I know your views, it leads to nothing. Anyhow, I must see what we have in the store that would be useful. "

He went away and Thirlwell, after sitting still for some minutes with afrown, got up and moodily followed the trail to the river bank. Scotthad shown him that his friendship with Agatha could not continue on thelines it ran on now. In a way, he had for some time recognized this, butit was not until he found the tobacco-box the truth becameoverwhelmingly plain. Their pleasant relations must either come to anend very shortly or be built up again on a new foundation, and the firstwas unthinkable. He walked along the bank until he got calmer and thenwent back to examine a canoe he meant to caulk. After all, the lode wasnot found yet. 

They stayed three days at the mine, while their outfit was got ready;and when Drummond was not at work he followed Agatha about. He said heliked the woods, spoke of his employers with frank appreciation, anddeclared that he was grateful because she had got him his post. Besidesthis, he made no secret of a humble devotion to herself that shesometimes found embarrassing and sometimes amusing. On the eveningbefore they left the mine, he joined the group outside the shack. 

"Well, " said Scott, rather dryly, "what do you want?"

"Miss Strange pulls out for the North to-morrow, and if she'll take meI'm going along. "

"Wait a moment, " Scott said to Agatha, and then asked Drummond: "Why doyou want to go?"

"I mean to get even with Stormont; and I want to put Miss Strange aswise as I can. "

"Then we are to understand you expect nothing for the job?"

Drummond's black eyes sparkled. "You're my boss, so far, but I won'tstand for being guyed. It's not _your_ money I'm after. "

"Perhaps the rejoinder's justifiable, " Father Lucien remarked, smiling;and Drummond turned to Agatha with a touch of dignity. 

"I meant to make my pile by selling the ore to somebody, but you treatedme like a white man, and I guess the lode belongs to you. Well, if Ihelp you get rich and you want to give me something, I won't refuse, butI'm not out for money. Say, you'll let me go?"

"Can you help?" Scott interrupted. "If you can, it looks as if you hadkept something back when you made the other deal. "

Drummond grinned. "I kept something back from Stormont; when I put himwise I put him off the track. But I'm playing straight with Miss Strangeand Thirlwell. You can bet on me!"

"Then we'll take you, " said Agatha, with a deprecatory glance atThirlwell. 

"You're not going to be sorry about it, " Drummond declared, and when hewent away Agatha turned to Father Lucien. 

"It's your business to judge men's character: do you think I have donewell?"

"I imagine the lad will make good. He has two incentives: he likes you, and hates your adversary. "

"Ah, " said Agatha, smiling, "I wonder which is the stronger!"

Father Lucien spread out his hands and his eyes twinkled. "I am apriest, Miss Strange, and must admit that I cannot tell. You have wonthe young man's confidence; but his is a primitive nature, and hatecounts for much. "

"You are an honest man, " said Agatha. "After all, the truth is betterthan compliments. "

The party broke up soon afterwards, and early next morning Agatha leftthe mine with Thirlwell, Drummond, and a white rock-borer as well as thehalf-breed packers. They poled up the Shadow for some distance, and thenfollowed a small creek, tracking the canoes, which were heavily loaded. Indeed, when they carried the freight by relays across the portages, Agatha was surprised to note the quantity of tools and stores. Since thecost of transport made such things dear, it looked as if Thirlwell hadmade her money go a long way. 

As they pushed on the country got wilder. The rocks were more numerous, the trees smaller, and in places they crossed wide belts where fires hadraged. The flames had burned off the branches, but left the trunks, andthe long rows of rampikes sprang from the new brush, shining a curioussilver-gray where they caught the light. The mode of travel, however, did not change. Sometimes they paddled up sparkling lakes, and sometimesdragged the canoes over ledges and gravel-beds in shallow creeks untilthe water shrunk and they made a laborious portage across a rockyheight. 

The journey was made as much by land as water, and at first Agathawondered that the men were capable of such toil, but by degrees shefound that she could carry more than she had thought, and laughing atThirlwell's protests, often struggled through the brush with a heavyload. The hot sunshine that lasted so long, and the freshness thatfollowed when the shadows deepened, calmed and strengthened her. Shefelt braced in mind and body; her doubts and impatience had gone. Shewas quietly confident that they would find the ore. 

But they did not find it, and at length the time Agatha had allowedherself came to an end. It was possible that she had already lost herpost at the school, but if not and she wanted to keep it, she mustreturn at once. 

She did not, however, mean to give up the search while their food heldout and there was no shortage yet, perhaps because the half-breeds oftenwent fishing and gathered wild berries. Then one hot day, when theynooned beside a shining lake and she sat in the shade of a boulder, sheheard the men talking. 

"The summer she is good, " a _Metis_ remarked. "Me, I lak' better makethe prospect than the freight. _Chercher l'argent, c'est le bo' jeu!_"

"We haven't struck much argent yet, " said the white miner. "I wonderwhat the boss thinks and guess he's up against something. Walked past atan awkward piece on the last portage as if he didn't see me, with hisforehead wrinkled up. Seen him look like that when he reckoned the roofwas coming down on us. "

Agatha's curiosity was excited, because she thought she had noted asubtle difference in Thirlwell's manner. There was a hint of reserve, and sometimes he looked disturbed. Then Drummond interrupted hiscompanion. 

"You can't tell what the boss thinks when he doesn't want, and we'recertainly going to find the lode. "

"I'd like to see you strike it all right, because if you don't, you'regoing to be some dollars out, " the miner replied. "Don't know who'spaying for this outfit, but I'd put it pretty high. "

"What d'you reckon it cost?" Drummond asked. 

The miner made a calculation and Agatha listened with strained interestas he enumerated the different items. 

"Well, " said Drummond, "I can't value the tools and powder, but allowingfor transport, you've got the stores nearly right. Anyhow, I'm goingswimming. If Pierre will give me ten yards, I'll race him to theisland. "

They went away and Agatha sat still with a hot face. She had trustedThirlwell and he had deceived her; her money had soon been exhausted andthe journey was now being made at his expense. She felt as if she hadbeen robbed of something to which she had a sacred right; she had let astranger undertake the task that was peculiarly hers. Then she had beencheated so easily. Thirlwell must think her a fool, or perhaps that shewas willing to be deceived. 

Getting calmer, she admitted that his object was good. He wanted tohelp, but it was unthinkable that she should trade upon his generosity. She resolved to talk to him about it, but he had gone into the bush tolook for the best line across the neck between them and another lake. When he came back the men were unloading the canoes and he occupiedhimself with making up the packs. 

They had camped and eaten supper before her opportunity came, and thenas they sat by the water's edge she told him what she had heard. Helistened quietly until she asked: "Was the man's calculation correct?"

"Nearly so. He was rather above the mark. "

"Then I am in your debt?"

"Does that hurt?"

"Yes, " said Agatha, with some hesitation, "in a way, it hurts very much. I don't mean that it's embarrassing to take your help, though it _is_embarrassing. You see, I felt I must find the lode myself; it's my duty, and you have taken away the satisfaction I might have felt. Besides, youcheated me. "

Thirlwell was silent for a few moments, and then said: "I'm sorry youfind it hard to let me help, but unless I had done so you couldn't havegone far. "

"You should have been frank and let me wait. "

"For another year? The North is no place for a white woman after therivers freeze. "

Agatha said nothing. She had not thought about this, and it would havebeen very hard to wait until summer came again. 

"Well, " he resumed, "I cheated you, because I could see no other plan. Ithink you have waited too long. If you had gone on thinking aboutnothing but the lode, it would have done you harm. "

"Did it harm my father?"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell quietly, and Agatha dared ask nothing more. Besides she knew that he would not tell her much. 

"Now, " he went on, "I have owned my fault; but you're rather taking itfor granted that my object was altogether unselfish. After all, the lawonly gives you so much frontage on the vein, and there's nothing toprevent my staking off a claim on the rest. "

"That is so, " said Agatha. "But the paper states that my father claimedthe edge of the cliff, where, for a time, the ore could be easilyworked. As your block would lie farther back, you would have to sink ashaft and drive a tunnel. This would cost you much. "

"The cost wouldn't matter if the ore was rich. I could get all thecapital I wanted. "

Agatha gave him a quiet ironical smile. "Then you really came with mebecause you meant to stake a claim? That's curious, Mr. Thirlwell, because I think you never believed my father found the lode at all. "

He colored and hesitated. "We'll let it go; there's something else. Ifyou turn back now, can you reach Toronto before the school reopens?"

"No, " said Agatha, with a soft, excited laugh. "I did not mean to turnback until I was forced. When I reached Toronto I should find somebodyelse had got my post. "

Thirlwell noted her courage, although he thought she was rash. "Wouldn'tit be awkward? But I suppose your brother--"

"I should not go to George. He is kind, but believes I have inherited myfather's illusion. He always hated to hear him talk about the lode, andwould think I was properly punished for my folly. But I needn't go on. You must understand--"

"I don't understand. The only thing I see is that you're not logical. It's obvious now that you must, if possible, find the ore; and yet youobject to letting me help. If you give up the search and return toToronto, it may be a very long time before you can make another trip. "

"No, I suppose I'm not logical, " Agatha admitted, with a mocking smile. "Logic is perhaps a useful guide for a _man_, but it doesn't always takehim far. However, I oughtn't to have expected you to understand, andyou're getting impatient--"

"Let's try to be practical, " Thirlwell rejoined. "If we turn back atonce, some of the truck we haven't used might be sold, and we would savethe wages I promised the boys, but all we have spent would be thrownaway. Well, I'd hate to feel that either of us must bear a loss likethat. "

"I have heard George say that a good business man cuts his losses. "

"It's sometimes a better plan to hold on and get your money back. "

"But how can we get our money back if we can't find the lode? You don'tthink we'll do so. "

Thirlwell frowned. "There's a chance of finding it; a fighting chance. Now we're near the spot and have the truck, let's play the chance forall it's worth. You can pay me when you get your patent, or make anyplan you like. Then Scott really supplied the stores and made somesuggestions that I didn't mean to talk about unless our searchsucceeded. "

He related what Scott had said, and added: "Anyhow, let's go on for afortnight. Then if you insist, we'll take the back trail. "

Agatha gave him a quick glance and he thought her eyes had softened, butshe got up. 

"Very well, " she said, and went to her tent. 

CHAPTER XXV

THE BROKEN RANGE

The fortnight Agatha agreed to had nearly gone when, early one morning, Thirlwell and Drummond climbed a hill behind the camp and stood on thesummit, looking about. Thin mist drifted across the low ground in front, but some miles off a forest-covered ridge rose against the sky. It washardly a range of hills, but rather what prospectors call a height ofland; a moderately elevated watershed marking off two river basins. Running roughly east and west as far as he could see, it limitedThirlwell's view and had puzzled him for some days. 

Since the rivers that drained the country flowed northeast to HudsonBay, it was obvious that there must be an opening in the ridge, but hehad been unable to find one. Moreover, as Strange's creek ran southbefore it turned east, he imagined it was on his side of the heighth ofland, but he had seen no stream flowing in either direction. Strange'snotes were incomplete; and although Thirlwell calculated that he wasabout thirty miles from the spot where the ore outcropped, he had foundnone of the landmarks. The creek was not behind him, but a radius ofthirty miles would cover a wide belt of country, and he doubted if hecould persuade Agatha to extend the fortnight. Her obstinacy wasridiculous, but must be reckoned on. 

By and by a faint breeze sprang up and the mist rolled back. Here andthere a lake sparkled in the light of the rising sun and dark pines roseout of the streaming vapor. But there was no glistening thread toindicate a creek, and Thirlwell turned to Drummond with an impatientfrown. 

"Do you see anything that you think you ought to recognize?"

"No, " said Drummond, rather sulkily, "I don't. "

"You haven't been of much use to us yet! I think you stated that whenyou got here you'd recollect all your father told you about Strange'stalk. Seeing the places would bring things back!"

"I haven't seen the places, and the old man was very sick when he toldme. Anyhow, I've tracked your blamed canoes, and packed your storesacross the divides. Guess I'd have hit the back trail long since if itwasn't for Miss Strange. "

"Then we had better get down, " said Thirlwell. "The boys don't seem tohave started to cook breakfast, and I want to pull out soon. "

He was turning away when Drummond stopped him, stretching out his arm. "Hold on! What's that yonder?"

"Mist, " said Thirlwell, impatiently. 

"No; it's too dark. Look again!"

Thirlwell started. The mist was drifting past the detached clump ofpines his companion indicated, but its color was silvery, and he nownoted a faint blue streak. This was something of a shock, for he hadthought there was nobody but his party in the neighborhood. 

"Smoke!" he exclaimed. "Go down as fast as you can and tell the boys notto make a fire. "

When Drummond went off Thirlwell sat down and watched the smoke. It gotplainer, and rose in a thick blue cloud when the mist rolled away. Somebody was cooking breakfast and the volume of smoke indicated a largefire. It looked as if there were a number of men to be fed, andThirlwell had not expected to find Indians near the spot just then. After a time, the smoke died away and he went back to camp, but toldAgatha nothing about what he had seen. When breakfast was over he tookone of the _Metis_ and plunged into the bush. There was not much needfor caution, because the party would, no doubt, set off when they hadfinished their meal, and if they were Indians, it did not matter if hemet them. But he did not think they were Indians. 

When he had gone a mile or two, he stopped at the edge of a muskeg andsent the _Metis_ on to a clump of pines on the other side. The man, keeping in the shadow, stole round the swamp, and vanished noiselesslyin the underbrush. After a time, he reappeared, beckoning, and Thirlwellknitted his brows when he joined him. 

The ashes of a fire smoldered between two hearth-logs; white chips andbroken branches were scattered about. Near his feet were six small roundholes, spaced in a regular pattern, and a cotton flour-bag and someempty cans lay beneath a bush. 

"A white man's camp; they had a tent, " he said. 

"Sure, " agreed the _Metis_. "Teepee poles they not mak' hole lak' dat. "

"Well, I reckon a sour-dough prospector wouldn't have bothered about atent. Looks as if one of them was a tenderfoot. _Qu'en pense-tu?_"

The _Metis'_ keen eyes had wandered round the camp and he nodded. "But, yes! Dat man _sait vivre_; he lak' it comfortable. "

"A city man!" Thirlwell remarked, with a frown. How many packers?"

"_Quat_, " said the _Metis_. 

"_Voyageurs?_"

The _Metis_ laughed scornfully as he indicated the trampled brush, broken branches, greasy papers, and scraps of food. "Me, I think no!Railroad outfit. _Voyageur_ not muss up camp lak' dat. "

Thirlwell agreed. A half-breed _voyageur_ does not waste food, and withinherited caution seldom disturbs the bush. It looked as if the city manhad engaged a gang of track-layers, who are used to pioneering andsometimes carry surveyors' stores through the wilds. 

"Well, " he said, "we'll follow their trail. "

The party had obviously left the water for a time, because their trackled away from the creek in the valley and the bush was too thick topermit the portaging of canoes. Thirlwell followed the trail until hesatisfied himself that they were going east, and then went back to hiscamp. Finding Agatha at the water's edge he sat down opposite. 

"I'm afraid you didn't get much breakfast, but I didn't want the firelighted, " he said, and told her what he had seen. 

"Ah!" she cried. "Do you think Stormont is looking for the ore?"

"I think so; I'm not certain. "

"But he failed to find it once and nearly starved. "

Thirlwell smiled. "I understand the fellow's obstinate. He may have gota fresh clue or found out something we don't know. "

"Do you think he has been following us?"

"I don't. If he'd known we were in the neighborhood, he would not havelighted a fire. "

"After all, " said Agatha thoughtfully, "my father stated that he hadstaked the claim. "

"I'm afraid that doesn't count for much. You're not recognized asprospective owner until your record's filed. I imagine your father'sstatement would carry some weight, but going to law about a mine isgenerally an expensive job, and it's hard to put up a good fight againsta man with capital. "

"Then what are you going to do about it?" Agatha asked anxiously. 

"Get away from here at once, and as far as possible keep to the lakes;water carries no trail. Then Stormont has decided a point that has beenbothering me--since he's gone east, we must go north or west. "

"Yes. Unless it's possible that his clue is better than ours. "

"I thought about that, " Thirlwell replied. "We don't know if he has aclue, but we'll stick to ours and take the risk. Your father'sdirections are plain enough if we can find the first of his landmarks. "

"Then go west, " said Agatha. "I imagine the creek is on this side of therange. "

Thirlwell got up and went to see the canoes launched, but he wonderedwhether Agatha remembered that there were only two or three days of thefortnight left. He thought she did remember, but he resolved that theywould not turn back. 

Soon after they started, a fresh breeze sprang up from the north-westand the shadows of flying clouds sped across the lake. The sky betweenthe clouds was a curious vivid blue, the light was strong, and the woodsalong the bank flashed into bright color and faded to somber green asthe gleams of sunshine passed. For a few minutes, trunks and branchesstood out, sharply distinct, and then melted suddenly into theirbackground. By degrees the ripples that lined the lake got larger; therewas an angry splashing at the bows of the canoes, and little showers ofspray began to fly. 

"This clearness means the wind will hold and it's right ahead, "Thirlwell said to Agatha, "We haven't had much luck of late!"

"The luck will change, " she answered, smiling. "I am confident. "

"Confidence doesn't cost you much effort, " Thirlwell rejoined. "You werepersuaded from the beginning that you would find the ore. It looks as ifyou were naturally optimistic. "

"Oh, no! I had my weak moments when I wanted to shirk. I hated to feel Iwasn't free like other people, and was willing to throw away my chanceof getting rich. But that wouldn't have helped much; I couldn't get ridof the duty. "

"You have pluck. For all that, I think you're indulging a ratherexaggerated sentiment. Anyhow, it's hard to imagine you have had manydoubts since we left the mine. "

"I've had none. When you found the tobacco-box I knew I would succeed. There was something strangely significant about your finding it. "

"I happened to look in the right place, " said Thirlwell, dryly. 

Agatha laughed. "You take a very matter-of-fact view. "

"Perhaps so, " Thirlwell agreed. "If I were steeped in sentiment, itwouldn't help me drive the canoe faster against a head-wind or carry aheavier load across a portage. That's a purely mechanical proposition. In the meantime, we're slowing up and will soon begin to drift astern. "

"Then paddle, " said Agatha, smiling. "After all, you're much more of asentimentalist than I think you know. "

Thirlwell bent over his paddle and the canoe forged ahead, but thebreeze freshened, and the ripples changed to crested waves. Agatha'sface was wet, her slicker dripped, and the men breathed hard between thestrokes. They labored on, and at noon ran the canoes aground in the leeof a rocky island. Thirlwell ordered the _Metis_ to use nothing but drydriftwood, which makes little smoke, for the fire, and when they restedafter a meal found Drummond sitting alone outside the camp. He lookedmoody and his eyes were fixed on the height of land. 

"Feeling bothered about something?" Thirlwell asked. 

"Yes, " said Drummond. "I'm trying to get back all the old man told meabout Strange's tale. He only talked about it once, when he was sick. Looks as if he hadn't thought the lode a business proposition, and Ididn't _then_. Besides, I was anxious and didn't listen much. Part of itcame back afterwards, but not all. There's something I can't get. "

"That's unlucky, " Thirlwell remarked in a dry tone. "We need a hint. "

"I reckoned I'd get it when I saw the country, " Drummond went on. "Iallow we're not far enough yet. "

Thirlwell made a sign of disagreement. "Strange said the creek ran southand then turned east. I imagine there isn't another neighborhood wherethat's likely to happen. If we cross the divide, I expect we'll find thewater running north. "

"Well, " said Drummond moodily, "you'd better leave me alone. There'ssomething--if I'm quiet, I may get what I'm feeling for. " He knitted hisbrows and a curious fixed look came into his eyes. "I know it's not faroff, but I miss it when I'm just getting on the track. "

Thirlwell left him and smiled half impatiently as he went back acrossthe rocks. He had sometimes been puzzled, and sometimes amused, byAgatha's confidence, and now Drummond, who had given him no help so far, talked about an elusive clue. It looked as if both allowed theirimagination too much rein, and trusted to vague feelings instead oftheir reasoning powers. Give him a compass bearing, or a definitebase-line to calculate an angle from, and he would engage to take theparty to the required spot; but he had frankly no use for the otherthing. Yet he sometimes wondered--there was a calm assurance in Agatha'seyes. If this was not founded on superstition, from what did it spring?

They launched again in the afternoon, and reached the head of the lakewet and tired. Thirlwell did not talk much after supper, but sat by thefire, smoking, for some time after Agatha went to her tent. He had, infact, been rather silent for the last few days. Now they were near theend of their journey he did not know if he wanted Agatha to find thelode or not. When they started he had imagined that the search wouldlead to nothing, and had gone because her society had a charm and hewanted to free her mind of a dangerous illusion. But he could no longerthink the lode an illusion. The silver was there, and if one searchedlong enough, could, no doubt, be found. 

This was somehow disturbing, but with a half-conscious wish to shirk thetruth he would not inquire bluntly why it disturbed him. He wanted thegirl to be happy, and had thought it best for her that she should giveup the attempt to find the lode. Now he must readjust his views, and itwas hard to see what place there would be for him in her affairs if shebecame the owner of a rich mining claim. 

Next morning they made a difficult portage to another lake, andlaunching the canoes at noon found the wind blowing fresh. The lake waswide, and when by and by an angry sea got up Thirlwell reluctantlysteered for the shelter of a rocky point. They had covered very littleground since they started, and there was only another day of thefortnight left. After supper some of the men went fishing, and Drummondset off alone along the beach, while Agatha and Thirlwell sat among therocks where the pungent wood-smoke drifted past and kept the mosquitoesoff. The sun had set and the air was very clear; they could see theragged pines across the lake, but the trees on the point behind them cutoff their view to the north. 

Presently Drummond came back, running fast, and stopped in front ofAgatha. His eyes sparkled and the sweat ran down his face. 

"What's the matter?" Thirlwell asked. "Have the timber wolves got afteryou?"

"The _broken range_!" Drummond gasped. "Get up, Miss Strange, and comeright along!"

Agatha looked at Thirlwell, who smiled. "I don't know what he means, butperhaps we had better go. "

They followed the lad for some distance, though the shingle was largeand rough. Now and then he turned and looked back impatiently, as ifthey were not coming fast enough; but at length he stopped and indicatedthe high ground to the north. Its bold line, colored a soft blue, stoodout against the yellow sky, and in one place there was a sharply definedgap. 

"There!" he exclaimed breathlessly. "I guess that's the _broken range_!"

"I see the break, " said Thirlwell. "What about it?"

"Don't embarrass him, " Agatha interrupted. "It's something he remembers. Perhaps his father talked about the gap. "

"He did, " said Drummond. "The thing's been kind of floating in my mindall day, but I couldn't get it fixed. Then I saw that gap and knew I'dgot what I'd been feeling for. "

"What did your father say?"

"The Indian camp he sent Strange to was in thin bush, close under thebroken range, on the north side. "

Thirlwell turned to Agatha. "Then we oughtn't to have much trouble inlocating the ore. We know where the factory stood, and if we can findthe thin bush, I can follow the line your father took. "

Agatha's eyes shone and her color came and went, but with an effort shepreserved her calm. 

"After all, the bush may have grown. "

"I think not, " said Thirlwell. "It's probably rocky ground where thetrees are small. "

"But how was it my father did not see the gap?"

"That is easily accounted for. The gap's not large, and I expect you canonly see it when you're directly opposite, at a right angle to the lineof the high ground. If you moved back a mile or two, the rocks and treeswould shut it in. Drummond didn't see it as we came up the lake. "

"I suppose we must wait until to-morrow?"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell. "We must leave the water, and can't get throughthe bush in the dark. "

Agatha made a sign of agreement. "Very well; I am glad the nights arevery short. But I would like to start at daybreak. "

Then they turned and went back silently to camp. Thirlwell was consciousof a keen disturbance that he would not analyze and saw that Agatha didnot want to talk. As a matter of fact, Agatha could not talk. She felt acurious exaltation: her heart was full. 

CHAPTER XXVI

THE LODE

At daybreak next morning Thirlwell sent the _Metis_ up the lake to makea _cache_ of the provisions he did not need, and hide the canoes in thebrush. In the meantime, he scattered the ashes of the fire and buriedthe empty cans and all the chips he could find. There was another partyin the neighborhood, and he wanted to leave nothing to indicate that thespot had been recently occupied by a camp. When the men returned theparty set off along the beach, loaded with food and tools. Walkingacross the stones and ledges was laborious, but he did not mean to leavea trail, and kept to the water's edge for some distance before heplunged into the bush. 

After this, their progress was very slow. The small trees grew closetogether and in places the ground was covered with rotting trunks andbranches. Moreover the line he took led steadily upwards towards thebreak in the range. It did not look very far off when they started, butdusk was falling and the packers were nearly exhausted when they threwdown their loads at the bottom of the gap. Thirlwell's back ached andthe straps had galled his shoulders, but he noted with some surprisethat Agatha did not look tired. She dropped behind as they toiled up thelast rough stony slope, but she helped to pitch camp. Her movements werenot languid and her eyes were bright. 

By and by she took out the worn paper from the tobacco-box and askedThirlwell a few questions. He answered rather moodily, and as soon as hecould picked up his blanket and went off to the bed he had made oftwigs. The hollow he had found was sheltered and the twigs were soft, but it was long before he slept. They were near the spot where Strangeclaimed to have seen the ore, and he was now persuaded that they wouldfind the vein. If the ore carried as much silver as the specimensindicated, Agatha would be rich. She would go back to the cities, and ifher riches were not to separate them altogether, he must enter heremployment. Somehow he shrank from this. 

But the ore might prove poorer than one thought and the mine cost muchto work. He would not admit that he hoped so, since he wanted Agatha toenjoy all the happiness that wealth could give. Indeed, he did not knowwhat he hoped; he was physically tired and although he felt strangelyrestless his brain was dull. At length his eyes closed and for somehours he slept brokenly. 

Getting up at daybreak, he scrambled along the bottom of the gap untilhe could look down on the other side, and presently turned with a startas he heard a rattle of stones. Agatha, whom he had thought asleep, advanced with a smile. She looked very fresh, and although he imaginedshe was highly strung, her face was calm. For a few moments she saidnothing, but stood close by, gazing fixedly in front. 

There was some mist on the low ground, but, for the most part, the topsof the pines rose above the haze. The sky in the east was getting red, and here and there one saw gleams of water and the gray backs of rocks. That was all, for the landscape was blurred to the north, where a vaguegray line hinted at another range. 

"The haze is tantalizing, " she remarked by and by. "One could not seewhen we got here and I have been waiting for the dawn. "

"I hoped you slept. We made a long march yesterday. "

"Did you sleep?"

"No, " said Thirlwell. "Anyhow, not very much. "

Agatha smiled. "Yet you haven't been thinking about the lode as Ihave--thinking of nothing else for ever so long! Can't you imagine whatit means to feel I am near the place at last?"

"I can imagine it to some extent. If the ore carries as much silver aswe think, you can do what you like when you get your patent; buildlaboratories, travel, make friends with clever people. In fact, yourmoney will buy you anything you want. "

"Do you really believe that?" Agatha asked, with a hint of mockery inher voice. "Do you imagine I have been thinking about the money?"

"I have thought about it, " Thirlwell said, and stopped when she gave hima curious glance. "Of course, " he resumed, "there's some satisfaction infeeling you have finished a difficult job. "

"Now you're nearer the mark! But you don't feel in the mood forphilosophizing?"

"I'm often dull before breakfast, " Thirlwell replied. "All the same, I'mglad you're happy. In fact, I'm trying to be sympathetic. "

"And you find it hard!"

Thirlwell colored, but looked at her steadily. 

"Anyhow, if the thing's possible, I'm going to find the lode for you. "

"Yes, " she said, without moving her eyes from his face, "I know you'lltry to find it. You're trustworthy; you play a straight game!"

"I cheated once. "

"That was when you thought the advantage would be mine. But how far doyou think we will have to go?"

"Perhaps I can tell you when the sun gets up. We may have to search forthree or four days; we may strike the creek to-night. "

"Ah, " she said, "I hope it will not be three or four days. Now we arevery near, the suspense is keen. " Then she smiled. "However, we will goback and get breakfast, because you must set your brain to work. "

It was next morning when they saw the first of Strange's landmarks; andThirlwell, taking its bearing with the compass, changed their line ofmarch. In the evening they climbed a low hill, and when they reached itstop, which rose like an island from a waste of short pine-scrub, Drummond stopped and, touching Agatha, indicated the ridge across thevalley. 

"Look!" he said. "The _hollow rock_!"

A small gray object, dwarfed by the distance, stood out against a smearof dark green on the crest of the high ground. After studying it for afew moments Thirlwell nodded. 

"Yes; I think he's right. "

Drummond turned to Agatha with a sparkle in his eyes. "I quit now, MissStrange. You've got there ahead of Stormont; I guess I've made good!"

"You made good when you found the broken range, " Agatha replied, givinghim a grateful look, and Drummond's dark face flushed with color as heturned away. 

They lost the rock as they went down hill, but when they made camp theroar of falling water came faintly across the woods. 

"_The creek that runs south_!" said Thirlwell as he lighted the fire. 

They started early next morning, but the ground was rough and the sunwas getting low when they came down a rocky hill into a small roundhollow, through which shining water flowed. The opposite slope was inshadow, but the slanting sunbeams touched a belt of fresh growth thatglowed a vivid green against the somber color of the surrounding trees. 

"That, " said Thirlwell, "is, no doubt, where the rampikes stood. They'vegone, and young willows have sprung up. Yonder's the low cliff. It looksas if we had arrived!"

Agatha stopped for a few moments and felt her heart beat. The dream shehad first dreamed long since had come true, but she knew it might nothave done so had she not had Thirlwell's help. In the meantime, thescene impressed itself upon her brain, so that she could long afterwardsrecall it when she wished--the nearly level sunbeams falling across thetrees and turning their bark fiery red, the gleam of water, and thefigures of the men plodding slowly downhill with their loads. Theirfaces glowed like polished copper in the searching light, their overallswere ragged and stained, and one stumbled and lurched wildly down aslope with a rattle of rolling stones. Then she glanced at Thirlwell, who stood close by, watching her with a sympathetic smile, though hispose was rather strained. 

"Ah, " she said, "you have brought me here! Just now I cannot thank youas I ought. "

"We'll go on, " he answered quietly. "I'd like to fire a shot or twobefore it's dark, and we'll need some time to drill the holes. "

Agatha gave him a quick look. "You are nothing if you're not practical, but perhaps that's fortunate. One trusts practical people when there arethings that must be done. "

The sunshine had faded when they reached the bottom of the hill and thehollow was shadowy and cool. Thirlwell ordered the men to make camp andthen went with Agatha to the foot of the cliff. The creek that flowedpast the rock ran clear and low, and he got across by jumping from ledgeto ledge. Then, as he scrambled among the boulders towards a spot he hadmarked he heard a splash, and looking round saw that Agatha had slippedinto the stream. She waded across, with the water rippling round herlong boots, and when she joined him trembled with suspense. 

"You needn't have come over, " he said, smiling as he indicated a band ofdarker color that seamed the ragged face of the gray stone. "That's allthere is to see! Hardly looks as if it was worth your coming so far tofind it? It was a lucky accident the color caught your father's eye; thevein's only distinct for a few yards where the frost has brought downthe cliff. I think we'll find it dips. "

Agatha noted that his tone was very matter-of-fact, although his facewas set, and thought she had better follow his lead. 

"Then the ore must once have outcropped. It's a good example ofdenudation. "

"Yes; it probably ran out some distance back. You can see how the creekhas cut down the rock, but frost and snow have helped. One can't tellyet whether the best or worst has been lost; but to begin with, we'lllook for the discovery post. "

They found it driven among the gravel; then, climbing a gully, reachedthe crest of the rock. Thirlwell led Agatha through the bush by hiscompass until he traced a rough oblong, marked by other posts. Shefollowed him with confused emotions and once or twice her eyes filledwith tears. Her father had driven these stakes; she could imagine thethrill it gave him to feel that at length his faith and labor werejustified. His confidence had never wavered, although he had bornemockery and contempt and the gentle ridicule of his anxious wife. Then, when the prize he toiled for was won and he went back to enjoy it, theriver had swept him away. But after all, love had conquered the angryflood, for he had left a clue that the rapid could not destroy. 

Agatha thought Thirlwell understood something of her feelings, becausehe did not talk except when he showed her the posts. When they reachedthe last he said, "On the whole, I imagine your father's judgment wasgood. In fact, he picked his ground like a mining engineer. "

"He had twenty years to brood about the vein at home, " Agatha replied. "Are you surprised that he studied all the books on mining he couldget?"

Thirlwell made an apologetic gesture. "I oughtn't to be surprised: hewas your father, and it's obvious that you have prepared yourself tocarry on his work. Well, I think he has staked off the best of the vein;at least, his claim covers the part that can best be reached. But you'llhave trouble with the water; it may mean driving a drainage heading andputting up expensive pumps. The ore may be rich enough to stand theextra cost, but I can tell you more when I have fired a shot. "

They went back to the camp, where the _Metis_ had cooked supper, butThirlwell did not eat much and soon returned to the cliff. He took thewhite rock-borer, but Agatha did not go with him. She felt chilled byhis quietness. It was now plain that, since her father had marked offthe exposed edge of the inclined lode, Thirlwell must sink a deep shaftif he wished to reach it farther back. This, however, did not accountfor his moodiness; for one thing, he had not expected that they wouldfind the ore. Besides, he was generous and would want her to have thebest. It would have been a comfort to give him half the claim, but hewould refuse the gift. She had meant to enjoy her triumph with him, butthis satisfaction had gone. It hurt, her to see him disturbed, but shecolored as she resolved that her success should not separate them. If hewas obstinate, something must be risked. 

In the meantime, Thirlwell struck the drill his companion held. His facewas damp with sweat and the hammer slipped in his hands, but he did notmiss a stroke. He had promised the girl his help, and when the hole wassunk he chose the best spot for the next with fastidious care. He meantto play a straight game, although it would cost him much to let her win. By and by the miner picked up some of the bits of stone. 

"Weight's all right; guess the stuff's carrying heavy metal, " heremarked. "Still, I've seen a lode pinch out. It may be a pocket and thedirt run poor when you get farther in. "

"It's possible, " Thirlwell agreed in a dull voice. 

The miner gave him a sharp glance. "Looks as if you wouldn't be muchdisappointed! Don't you _want_ the dirt to go rich?"

"Let's get on, " said Thirlwell. "I want to fire the shot before it'sdark. "

"Then watch out for my fingers, " the miner rejoined. "When you pound heras you've been doing I like to see you keep your eye on the drill. "

They worked for some time and then Thirlwell sent for Agatha, andhelping her across the creek, held up the ends of two or three fuses anda match-box. 

"It's proper that you should fire the first shot. I've put in a heavycharge and we'll know something about the ore when we see the stuff theblast brings down. "

Agatha lighted the fuses and they hurried back to the shelter of thetrees, where she stood with her heart beating fast. It was proper thatshe should be first to undertake her father's work; Thirlwell's thoughtwas graceful. She glanced at him, but his brown face was inscrutable, although his mouth was firm. His quietness jarred; she felt angry anddisappointed, as if she had been robbed of something. 

For all that, she thrilled as she watched the faint sparkle of the fuse. She had won the first battle more easily than she had thought, and hadnow begun the next stage of the struggle. She sprang from a pioneeringstock and knew that the shot she fired would break the daunting silenceof the woods for good. If she failed to develop the mine somebody elsewould succeed. The lonely hollow would soon be covered with tents andshacks; men's voices and the rattle of machines would drown the softsplash of the creek. She was blasting a way for civilization into thewilderness. 

A flash, springing from different spots, leaped across the foot of thecliff; gray smoke rolled up, and there was a roar that rolled inconfused echoes across the woods. The front of the rock seemed to totterbehind the smoke, great stones splashed in the water, and flying piecesrattled among the trunks. When the vapor began to clear and she wantedto run forward Thirlwell put his hand on her arm. 

"It won't be safe for some time; you're not used to the fumes, " he said. "If you went there now, you wouldn't be able to get up to-morrow. "

She followed him back to the camp, where Drummond and the miner joinedthem. 

"In the morning I'll go with you to see where we ought to stake theother claims, " he said to the men. "You can, of course, locate where youlike, but this job will need some capital and you want to get the bestfrontage you can. That will help us later. "

They agreed without much enthusiasm. Now they had reached their object, a reaction had begun, and Agatha was sensible of a curious flatness. Sheknew that Drummond and the rock-borer could do nothing with theirclaims except sell them to somebody who could supply the money todevelop the mines; but before they started Thirlwell had outlined a planby which the holdings might be consolidated and worked together. The menhad approved and promised to give her what Thirlwell called an option, if it seemed worth while to do the work required before the patentswould be granted. 

When the fumes had cleared they went with him to the cliff and he cameback with a heavy bag. It was dark, but the firelight shone about him ashe poured out the stones he had brought and gave her one or two. 

"The stuff looks as good as the specimens we have, " he said quietly. 

Agatha agreed as she weighed the pieces, but her eyes were fixed on hisface. He looked stern, but forced a smile--

"Your father was not deceived, and what he left unfinished you can makegood. I think you are going to be rich. "

"If so, I owe it all to you. "

He shook his head. "You might have found the lode without me, but Iexpect you're tired and you ought to sleep well to-night. I must beginat daybreak. The sooner we start back to record the ground we claim, thebetter. "

"Then good-night, " she said quietly, but when she moved away through theshadow her face was resolute. 

CHAPTER XXVII

THIRLWELL'S DULLNESS

Soon after daybreak, Thirlwell, Drummond, and the rock-borer pushedtheir way through the woods behind the cliff. The vein dipped and inconsequence the farther one went back from the creek, the greater wouldbe the cost of reaching the ore. Besides, it was possible that the orepinched out and the uncovered part was an unusually rich pocket. Hiscompanions had agreed that he should have the next best location afterAgatha's, and followed his advice about staking their claims. Thehalf-breeds had, however, declined to exercise their rights; they weretrappers and _voyageurs_, and stated that they had no use for mines. 

Thirlwell thought there was no more ground worth recording, and doubted, for that matter, if his and the others' claims were worth much, but itwas prudent to keep intruders out. Disputes often rose about theapplication of the mining laws, and it might be dangerous to have a richand unscrupulous antagonist. His companions went away feeling puzzled byhis coolness. On the journey he had encouraged the party with humorousbanter, and made a joke of their difficulties; now he was quiet andreserved. 

When they had gone Thirlwell sat down and lighted his pipe, for he knewhe must grapple with his trouble before it mastered him. Looking back, he saw that he had been strangely pleased by Agatha's letters, and whenhe met her had at once felt her charm. This, however, was all; hefrankly enjoyed her society and thought she liked his, but he was notromantic and was satisfied that they should drift into a close andconfidential friendship. It was obvious now that he had been remarkablydull; Scott had seen how things were going. 

Then he had taken it for granted that Agatha would not find the vein, and had helped her because he thought it better she should convinceherself that Strange had been the victim of his imagination. He hadhonestly thought this when they started, but now recognized that he hadunconsciously had another object: he wanted her society and to earn hergratitude. 

A light began to dawn on him when he found Strange's tobacco-box, but hehad, so to speak, evaded full illumination until it became obvious thatthey were near the vein. Then the truth could no longer be denied. Hewas in love with the girl, and had unconsciously loved her from thefirst. In a sense, this looked ridiculous; but there it was and he mustface it. If she had been poor, he would have urged her to marry him, although it might have exposed her to some risk of hardship. But she wasrich, and the best he could hope for was a post at a mine like theClermont. 

He had no ground for imagining that Agatha would be willing to marryhim; but if she were, it would look as if he meant to share her richeswhen he offered his help. In fact, it would look as if he meant to takeadvantage of her ignorance about mining matters and her trust. It wouldnot disturb him if outsiders thought this, but she might come to thinkso. 

Besides, he was not going to be supported by his wife's money. In viewof their characters, the situation would be humiliating for both. Agathamight learn to despise him, which would be intolerable. 

Then he felt a touch on his shoulder and got up with a start. Agathastood close by and he thought there was more color in her face thanusual, although her eyes were calm. 

"Brooding over our good luck?" she said with a smile. "Isn't that acurious attitude?"

"The good luck is yours. "

"If you insist on the difference, but I don't know that it's kind!Besides, I wanted to give you half my frontage on the vein. "

"That's quite impossible, " said Thirlwell firmly. 

"Why is it impossible?"

"It would look as if I'd meant to take advantage of your generosity. "

"Does it matter how the thing would look?"

"Yes, " said Thirlwell, who hesitated. "I want to keep your goodopinion--if I have it. "

Agatha smiled, but her glance was soft. "I won't flatter you, because Ithink you ought to know. But why are you moody? I'd expected you to besympathetic to rejoice with me. "

"For your sake, I am glad. "

"But not for yours?"

"I haven't quite got used to the situation yet, " Thirlwell answeredawkwardly. "You see, I never expected to find the ore. "

"That was rather obvious, " Agatha rejoined with some dryness. "But ifyou thought we would be disappointed, why did you come?"

Thirlwell was silent. He did not mean to admit that he had thought asharp disappointment would be good for her and might save her worsepain. It was difficult to state this properly. Then if he owned that hehad come for the pleasure of her society, she might misunderstand himand he might say too much. Agatha was half amused by his embarrassment, but was moved all the same, for she understood more than he knew. 

"We'll let it go, " she resumed. "Still, I don't see why you should bedisturbed by my success. "

"One often feels sorry when one finishes a big job. It means one hascome to the end of things one has got used to and likes. "

"But this is rather the beginning than the end. "

"No, " he said moodily. "We have had a glorious trip, but it's done with. You will go back to the cities; there are only two or three months whena civilized girl can live in the woods. The trail we have broken stopshere. "

"But what do you mean to do?"

"Help Scott at the Clermont, until he's forced to give up. "

"Sit down and light your pipe, " said Agatha. "We must talk about this. "

He obeyed and picked up his pipe. Although he did not light it, itstouch was soothing and he wanted to keep cool. Agatha sat down oppositeon a fallen trunk and presently went on: "To begin with, the mine mustbe worked, not sold, and I need help. "

"You can get a good manager for the wages you'll be able to pay. "

Agatha's color was higher, but she gave him a steady look. "I want a manI know and trust. There are many ways in which I shall need advice, because I cannot take this fortune without its responsibility. The minemust be worked to the best advantage and the people I employ treatedwell. I mean to build good houses for them, not rude shacks, make itpossible for them to lead happy lives, and see they get the best, notthe worst, that our cities can send them when a settlement springs up. "

"It's a fine ambition, " Thirlwell remarked. "However, it will cost yousomething, and you'll find some resistance from the people you want tohelp; but if the ore's as good as we think, you'll be able to carry outyour plans. "

"Do you think I could trust this work to a stranger? A man hired forwages, who might have no sympathy with my aims?" Agatha asked. "Then, ifwhen I've done all I mean, I'm rich, somebody must help me to use themoney well. " She turned her head for a moment, and then resumed: "Can'tyou see that it's daunting to feel I may have to struggle alone with atask I'm hardly fit for--to know I'll make mistakes?"

"There is your brother. "

Agatha smiled. 

"George would see I made prudent investments, and think I ought to besatisfied with getting ten per cent. " She gave Thirlwell a look thatmade his heart beat. "I need help George cannot give, and know nobodybut you. "

She stopped, for she could go no farther. It was for him to meet hernow, if he wanted, but for a moment or two he was silent and knitted hisbrows. His brown face was resolute, but something in his eyes indicatedthat resolution cost him much. Then he said, "You offer me the post ofmanager?"

She turned her head, for it was difficult to preserve her calm. He wasdull in some respects, but it was scarcely possible that he was as dullas he now pretended. Looking up with a forced smile, she said: "Yes, ofcourse. I want a manager, and if you would sooner be businesslike--"

"I'm afraid I'm very unbusinesslike, " he replied with some grimness. "However, if Scott is willing, I'll help you to develop the mine and getyour patent; but I think it would be prudent to let him join us. You mayhave some trouble to get the money we will need; then he's straight anda very good sort. "

"But what will you do when the patent's granted?"

"We can talk about that later. It will be some time before the mine isyours, and I'm not certain that we have heard the last of Stormont. "

"Very well, " said Agatha. "I like Mr. Scott and feel I can trust himbecause he is your friend. Do what you think best; I leave it all toyou. "

She went away with very mixed feelings, and was glad to reach theshelter of the woods. Her face was hot and her nerves were jarred, butwhen she got calmer she laughed--a rather strained laugh. It was a lovershe wanted, not a manager, and unless Thirlwell was strangely dull shehad been firmly repulsed. She hoped he was dull, but it seemedimpossible that he had not understood. Then it was significant that hehad shown some strain and she found comfort in this. After all, the linehe took had cost him much and his obstinacy might break down. 

Besides, when one looked at it dispassionately, the situation washumorous. She had engaged Thirlwell for her manager, but nothing hadbeen said about his wages, which she could not pay; for that matter, shewas in his debt. Although she was the prospective owner of a valuablemine, she had only a few dollars left of the money George had given her;hardly enough, in fact, to pay for a week's board when she reachedToronto. Her post there had, no doubt, been filled. 

The ore was rich, but might get poor, and she knew enough about miningto realize the difficulties that must yet be overcome. Getting the moneyshe would need for the preliminary work was perhaps the worst; and ifthe money could be raised, it would be a long time before she could lookfor much return. Still she was not alone; Thirlwell had promised to helpand she knew he would not fail her. She meant to let him help, notbecause she wanted to get rich, but because she really knew what hadinfluenced him, and suspected that he was not as strong as he thought. 

For all that, she kept out of his way as much as possible while theycamped by the creek, although she was careful to talk with easyfriendliness when they met at meals. Thirlwell, however, was generallyoccupied, and when he had made a rough survey of the claims they startedsouth. The loads were light now and he forced the pace because he wasanxious, and felt responsible. There was another prospecting party, withan unscrupulous leader, not far off, and one's title to a mineral claimis open to dispute until the record is filed. Although Agatha'sprosperity would be his loss, he meant to run no risk. He was hermanager and must justify her trust. 

When they reached the lake he found there would be some delay. They hadcovered the canoes with branches, but the pine-needles had withered offand the hot sun had opened the seams. Some of the thin planks were badlysplit, one had sprung away from its fastenings, and it would take a fewdays to repair the damage without proper tools. The caulking compositionhe had brought would not go round, and he had to send the _Metis_ intothe bush to look for gum to make the Indian pitch. Then it cost him aday's hard labor to rough out new plans with an ax and saw, and heafterwards found he must make a steaming-box to soften the wood so thatit would bend into place. 

On the second night he was tired and disturbed, but his sleep was lightand he wakened shortly before daybreak. It was not dark; he could seethe trunks behind the camp and Agatha's white tent. The ripples brokeupon the beach with a gentle splash, and there was a faint sighing inthe pine-tops. Except for all this all was very quiet, and he wonderedwhether he had heard a canoe paddle in his dreams. Then, not far off, astone rattled as if it had been trodden on. 

Thirlwell got up quietly and glanced about the camp. The men wereasleep. He counted their indistinct figures, wrapped in blankets; nobodywas missing. Still somebody had disturbed a loose stone and he movedcautiously into the gloom. One could not creep up to an Indian, butThirlwell imagined there were none about, and if an Indian had meant tosteal something, he would not have crossed the slanting bank strewn withlarge gravel, from which the noise had come. Thirlwell, himself, wouldnot have done so, for he had learned to be silent, when hunting in thebush. He suspected a clumsy white man, from the cities. When he gotnear the bank he stopped behind a tree. There was a narrow opening, buthe saw nobody and heard nothing except the wind in the pine-tops. 

He tried to creep round the opening, but fell among a clump ofwild-berry canes. They were green and did not rustle much, but he knewthat after this it would be useless to go on with the search. Besides, he was not certain that a man had disturbed the stone. The camp-fire hadgone out and an animal might have come down to drink. He grumbled at hisawkwardness and going back to camp, went to sleep again. 

In the morning he returned to the bank, but found no tracks. He couldaccount for the stone falling in two or three natural ways, but thesplash of the paddle was a different thing. Still he had not actuallyheard the noise, but, so to speak, wakened with its echo in his ears, and sitting down, he pondered the matter. Supposing that somebody fromStormont's gang had prowled about the camp, it was difficult to see thefellow's object. Thirlwell did not doubt that Stormont knew he was theleader of Agatha's party and she could do nothing without his help. IfDriscoll had been with his former confederate, one could have understoodthe thing. Black Steve had an Indian's cunning and the instincts of asavage animal, but he was dead and Stormont was a rascal of anotherkind. Steve's primitive methods would not appeal to him. Thirlwell gaveup the puzzle and got about his work. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

STORMONT TRIES A BRIBE

When the light began to fade Thirlwell put W down his tools and went offto try to catch a trout. He had noted that Drummond was not about thecamp and when he got near the mouth of a creek where he meant to fishthought he saw an indistinct figure some distance in front. It vanished, but he felt he had not been deceived and stopped for a minute or two. 

Although he had no grounds for distrusting Drummond, he had markedcertain weaknesses in his character. The lad might have gone to fish, but Thirlwell had not seen him make a rod, and remembering the fallingstone resolved to find out. The wood was thin, but the light was dim, and the turmoil of the creek would drown any noise he made. Afterwalking obliquely inland for some distance he stopped to listen. Heheard nothing, but Drummond was now between him and the lake, andThirlwell thought he could not get across the creek. He came down to themouth of the latter cautiously, and when he was close to the lakestopped behind a trunk. The water glimmered between the trees, and hesaw two dark figures outlined against the pale reflection. 

There was some risk of his being seen, but he thought if Drummond wasafraid he might be followed, he would watch the bush along the edge ofthe lake, and he advanced cautiously, moving from trunk to trunk. Athicket of wild-berries grew near the water, and stealing up behind it, he stopped and crouched down. Drummond was perhaps a dozen yards off, and stood, holding a fishing-rod, while Stormont sat on a fallen logopposite. Thirlwell clenched his fist and listened. He could hear themtalk. 

"How'd you know you'd find me here?" Drummond asked. 

"I didn't know, " said Stormont; "it was good luck. I wanted to find outif Thirlwell had finished the canoes. One can see into your camp fromthe top of the high ground, and I've brought good glasses. "

It was plain that Drummond had not gone to meet the fellow, andThirlwell saw that he had, to some extent, misjudged the lad. For allthat, Drummond had reached the spot a few minutes before he did, andsomething had obviously been said in the meantime. If possible, he mustfind out what they had talked about. 

"Take a smoke; this is a pretty good cigar, " Stormont resumed. "You'lllet a soft snap go if you don't do what I want. "

"You put me on to a soft snap before, " Drummond remarked with a touch ofscorn. 

"I think you got fifty dollars--for nothing. Anyhow, I want you and I'mwilling to pay in advance. "

"With a cheque that can be stopped!"

Stormont laughed. "No. I don't pay for this kind of job by cheque. Youcan have it in bills; I've got a wad in my pocket. Better take yourmoney now than trust Thirlwell to let you in when he makes good hisclaim; but if you like, I'll give you some stock when we float ourcompany. "

"I'll take the bills, " said Drummond in a meaning tone. "But you want toput it high. "

Thirlwell found it hard to control his anger. Drummond had professedsome liking for him and had made no secret of his devotion to Agatha, but now he was coolly bargaining with her antagonist. It looked as if hewas willing to betray her if he could get a good price. For all that, Thirlwell saw that he must find out the plot and lay still behind thethicket, watching the lad. Drummond's pose was easy and his voice wascalm. He had not lighted the cigar Stormont gave him, and now and thentwisted it round carelessly. 

"Very well, " Stormont resumed. "As I've got to bid against Thirlwell, I'll risk five hundred dollars: two hundred and fifty now. Then, as soonas we make a good start, you can have a job in the company's office. "

"Oh, shucks!" said Drummond. "Five hundred dollars for a silver mine?You can't find the lode unless I put you wise. "

"That's not going to bother us. Thirlwell has left a trail we can followwithout your help. Well, you've heard my offer. What do you say?"

"I'm thinking some. I get two hundred and fifty dollars now, but whatabout the rest? Suppose I have to wait until you put the job over? Howare you going to put it over when Thirlwell holds the claims?"

"They won't be worth much after I get to work. Going to law's expensiveand Thirlwell can't stand up to the men who are backing me. He'll beglad to sell out at our price when we put the screw to him. "

This was illuminating to Thirlwell, since it justified his fears. Themining regulations were complicated, and it was not unusual forunscrupulous speculators to dispute a poor man's claim. He knew ofinstances where grave injustice had been done. Moreover, he noted thatStormont said nothing about Agatha, but thought him the prospectiveowner of the minerals. People obviously took it for granted that hemeant to marry the girl. 

"Your job is to stop Thirlwell, " Stormont went on. "The thing must bedone cleverly and look like an accident. The best plan would be to getat the canoes. They're hauled up side by side and you might perhaps setthem on fire when he makes his caulking gum. Or you might knock loose aplank or two in the bottom. Anyhow, you'll have to hold him up longenough for me to pull out his stakes. "

Thirlwell, burning with indignation, found it hard to keep still. It wasa cunning plot, because a few days' delay might enable Stormont tore-stake the ground and file his record first. If this were done, Agathawould have to bear the disadvantage of challenging his claim and, if thelaw expenses were heavy, might be forced to compromise. Still, hecontrolled his rage. 

"The thing's not as easy as it looks, " Drummond replied. "Thirlwell'snot a fool. If you, want me to put it over, you'll have to come up. "

"A good job in our office and six hundred dollars: three hundred now. IfThirlwell finds out and gets after you, come along to my camp. "

"Where is your camp?"

"Behind some rocks, about two miles up the lake. Follow the creek andyou'll come to a log that has fallen across. "

"Very well; I'll take the money. "

Stormont pulled out his wallet, and then Thirlwell came near tobetraying himself, because the dramatic surprise was almost too much forhis self-control. Drummond snatched the bills from the other's hand andlaughed, a savage, scornful laugh. 

"You thieving hog; you blasted _fool_!" he cried. 

"What d'you mean?" Stormont shouted, springing to his feet. 

"Did you think you could play me for a sucker _twice_?" Drummondrejoined. "Three hundred dollars, for my claim on the lode? That's whatit comes to, and I reckon that's all I'd get!" He flung out his hand, scattering the crumpled bills. "There's your dirty money. I've got youcorralled!"

Stormont was quiet; dangerously quiet Thirlwell thought, because it wasobvious that Drummond had led him on until he learned his plans. Hestooped and began to pick up the bills, moving about, for the bits ofpaper were scattered and indistinct. One had fallen by a heavy stone, and Thirlwell felt his nerves tingle as Stormont got nearer. Drummonddid not seem to be suspicious; his pose was careless, and Thirlwellimagined the lad was enjoying his triumph. Both thought they were aloneand they stood on a ledge that ran out into deep water. 

Then Stormont clutched the stone and Thirlwell sprang to his feet. Thefellow's caution had given way; mocked and cheated by the lad he meantto use, he had suddenly become primitive in his disappointed greed andrage. It looked as if Drummond did not know his danger; but as Thirlwellran forward Stormont lifted the stone and the lad leaped upon him like awild cat. 

Thirlwell stopped. For the moment he did not see how he could interferewithout doing harm, and thought Drummond did not need his help. The menwere locked in a savage grapple at the edge of the ledge and the ripplessplashed upon the rocks four or five feet below. Stormont had beendeceived to the end. It is hard for a white man to match the instinctivecunning that goes with a strain of Indian blood, and Drummond hadsuspected that the other meant to pick up the stone. 

Neither saw Thirlwell. They swayed and panted, striking when they got anarm loose, and then pressing body against body while each strained for agrip to lift his antagonist from his feet. Stormont, indeed, made abetter fight than Thirlwell had expected, but after a time his kneesbent, his head went back, and Drummond threw him heavily. When he struckthe ground he felt for his pocket, but Drummond fell upon him with a crythat was like a wild beast's howl. 

Thirlwell saw it was time to interfere. An Indian never forgets aninjury, and Drummond had inherited his father's grim Scottishstubbornness. He rolled over with Stormont, and then getting uppermost, savagely bumped his head against the rock. This gave Thirlwell hisopportunity, and seizing the lad's shoulders, he pressed his kneeagainst the small of his back. 

"Stop!" he shouted. "Do you mean to kill the man?"

"Sure!" gasped Drummond. "Lemme go!"

"You'd better quit. I've got you tight. "

Drummond struggled furiously, but since he could not turn round found itimpossible to break loose. His hands, however, were free and he gaveStormont's head another violent bump. Then Thirlwell, using his knee asa fulcrum, pulled the lad's shoulders back until he cried out with painand let go. Thirlwell threw him off and stepped between the two beforethey could get up. 

"This has got to stop and I'm fresh and able to see it does stop. If youtry to start again, Drummond, I'll throw you into the lake, " he said, and turned to Stormont, who did not move. "Get up. "

Stormont did so, shakily. "I suppose you had this thing fixed with him!"

"I had not. I came along by accident and it might have been better ifI'd left you to Drummond and gone off again. It was rather for his sakethan yours I butted in. Can you walk?"

Stormont said he thought he could, and Thirlwell indicated the bush. "Then get off and take the hint that it's prudent to leave the AgathaMine alone. "

When Stormont had gone, Thirlwell turned to Drummond, who was nowstanding up. "Are you hurt?"

"Not much. I don't mind if I am hurt, so long as Stormont is. But why inthunder did you come just then?"

"It's lucky I did, " said Thirlwell dryly. "I think you saw he wanted toget that stone?"

"Sure; I meant to let him. Wanted him to fire the rock and begin thecircus. Then, when he'd made me mad enough, I'd have finished it. "

"It would have been awkward if he'd brought a pistol. "

Drummond smiled. "He thought he had, but he'd forgot the thing. I'd beenstudying his clothes; blue shirt and thin overalls. There wasn't abulge. " Then he stooped and picked up a crumpled bill. "Five dollars;don't see much use in leaving money lying round. "

He hesitated, and then putting the bill in his pocket, remarked:"Anyhow, he gave me the wad. Let's see if I can find another. "

Thirlwell laughed and told him to rest for a few minutes, because hewanted to think. Stormont had obviously returned to what he imagined wasa good center to work from in his search for the vein, and had seen thesmoke of Thirlwell's fire. He could now follow back the latter's trailand then make for the Record Office after altering the stakes. If he didso, the probability was that he would arrive too late, but accidentsoften happen in the bush and Thirlwell meant to leave nothing to luck. Moreover, Stormont had given him a hint when he tried to bribe Drummondto damage the canoes. In the wilds, travel depends upon the means oftransport, since one cannot go far without food, and Thirlwell did notsee why he should not carry on the game Stormont had meant to play. Hetold Drummond his plan. 

"Well, " said the latter thoughtfully, "I guess his packers will beasleep in camp, but we want to get there before he does and he's goneoff first. "

"He'll go round by the log he talked about and I don't think he's ableto walk very fast. Then we'll save some time by going through thecreek. "

"That's so, " Drummond agreed. "We'd better hustle. "

They crossed the mouth of the creek, wading among the boulders andswimming a few yards, and then followed the edge of the lake. They couldsee for some distance across the water, but the woods were dark andStormont would have some trouble in making his way through the brush. Hewould be behind them if he came down to the lake, but it was obviousthat they must carry out their plans before he arrived. 

When Thirlwell thought they were near the camp they left the beach andcrept cautiously into the darkness among the trees that grew upon arocky point. Now and then the underbrush rustled and a low branchcracked, but they heard nothing when they stopped and listened. After afew minutes they reached the other side of the point and lay down amongthe stones. In front, a narrow bay opened, with the shadowy bush runninground. Two canoes lay on the beach, and although they were black andindistinct, Thirlwell imagined they had only been pulled up a few feet. 

Farther back, the glow of a fire flickered among the trunks, but it wasa small fire and burned low and red. Stormont had, no doubt, givenorders that no smoke must be made. A tent, half seen in the gloom, stoodat the edge of the bush, but Thirlwell could not see the packers. Itlooked as if they were asleep, because all was quiet except for the windin the trees and the distant splash of the creek. The breeze was lightbut blew off the shore. This would suit Thirlwell's plan, but it wouldbe difficult not to make some noise and he must not be caught. Thepackers were rough men and he rather thought he had taken a risk heought not to have run. 

Touching Drummond's arm, he slid down a slab of rock and crouched in thegloom on the ledge below. His boots had scratched the stone, and helistened when Drummond came down, but there was no movement in the camp. Dropping from the ledge, he reached the shingle, which rattled sharply, and for a moment or two he stopped and held his breath. He heardnothing, and making Drummond a sign to be cautious, went on again. Theywere now confronted by perhaps the most dangerous part of their task, for one cannot cross a stony beach in silence and men used to the wildsare easily wakened by a suspicious noise. Besides, the water glimmered, and Thirlwell would have liked a darker background. 

Still he meant to reach the canoes, and moved on, leaning forward toshorten his height and stepping as gently as he could. When the stonesrattled he and Drummond sank down and waited, but heard nothing to alarmthem, and at length stopped and lay down beside the canoes. They couldnot be seen now, but what they must do next was risky, and Thirlwellwanted to get his breath. Although he had not used much muscularexertion, his nerves tingled and his face was wet with sweat. 

After a few moments, he got on his knees and felt inside the canoe. Ithad not been unloaded and this was the craft to launch, although theweight would make a difference. Lying down again, he felt along the keeland found that the gravel was small and mixed with sand. Then hetouched something round and knew that a roller had been put under thecanoe in order that she might be pulled up without disturbing the cargo. This was a stroke of luck, because it would help him to run her down. 

He touched Drummond, and getting up seized the gunwale. They strainedtheir muscles, but for a moment or two could not move the craft; thenthe roller jarred across a stone, there was a crunch of gravel, and shestopped, a foot lower down. Thirlwell gasped and moved his hands to getanother grip. He thought they had made an alarming noise, but it was toolate to be cautious. They must finish the job. 

"Lift her as you shove!" he said. 

She went a yard, with the roller jolting in the sand, and there was asplash as her after-end took the water. He could not understand why thepackers had not wakened, but there was no movement in the camp, and thenext effort would be easier, since the stern was nearly afloat. 

"Again!" he gasped. "Quietly, but with all your strength!"

The roller ran smoothly and they followed the canoe down. When theirfeet were in the water they gave her a last push and small ripplessplashed about them as she slid out on the lake. The impetus would carryher some distance and the off-shore breeze would do the rest. 

"I guess we'll light out now, " Drummond remarked. 

They regained the point and the camp was quiet. The canoe wasdistinguishable, but Thirlwell thought he would not have seen her had henot known where to look; it was plain that she was drifting across thelake. Five minutes later they heard somebody coming through the bush, and dropped behind a boulder. They could not see the man, but heard himpush through a thicket and then stumble among some stones. He passed, and when they went on again Drummond laughed. 

"Looks as if he was pretty savage, but he's hitting up a smarter clipthan I thought he could make. Guess he'll feel worse in the morning. "

Thirlwell agreed. The canoe would be out of sight when Stormont reachedthe camp, and it was unlikely that he would miss her until next day. Shewas, no doubt, loaded with food and prospecting tools, and Thirlwell hadgained an important advantage by setting her adrift, since Stormontwould not venture farther north without supplies. He had probably somestores in camp and would find the canoe, but if she stranded on a beachfar up the lake, the search might cost some time. The delay would giveThirlwell a longer start. 

He had fitted the new planks in his canoes and when he got back wakenedthe _Metis_ and melted the caulking gum. By daybreak the seams were hardand after a hurried breakfast the party paddled across the lake. Hewould sooner have waited to see if Stormont would try to retaliate, butthis would be rash. If the canoes were damaged or he were injured, itmight prevent him from getting back to record the claims. 

CHAPTER XXIX

GEORGE REPROACHES HIMSELF

The days were getting shorter fast, but the evening was warm when GeorgeStrange leaned against the rails of Farnam's veranda. He had arrived, looking anxious, as supper was served, but did not state why he feltdisturbed and Mrs. Farnam waited. She knew he had come to consult her, and thought she knew what about. Now he gazed moodily across theorchard, where red and yellow apples gleamed on the bent branches. Theslanting sunbeams struck across the trees, which melted, farther off, into the blue shadow of the bush. 

"That's a great show of fruit, " he remarked. 

"Pretty good, " Farnam agreed. "Reports indicate that packers won't findmuch surplus for shipping in the United States, and prices will be high. In fact, I rather think my speculation is justified. Although clearingnew ground and buying young trees made a drain on my capital--"

"Don't tell him he's enterprising! He's too adventurous, " interruptedMrs. Farnam, who wanted to give George a lead. "It's exciting to takechances, but they don't always turn out as one hopes. But how's yourbusiness? I understand trade is dull. "

"I have known it better, but that's not bothering me. "

"Still as you don't look serene, I imagine something is bothering you. "

"I don't feel serene, and that's why I came. You know Agatha better thananybody else. Have you heard from her recently?"

"Not since the letter she sent me when she reached the mine, and you sawthat. I'm getting anxious. She has stopped some time and the school hasreopened. "

"She has stopped too long, " said George, whose face got red. "It looksas if you didn't know they had filled her post. "

"I was afraid they might do so, but it's a shock all the same. Butperhaps you can do something. You persuaded the principal and managerswhen Agatha was ill. "

"I've come from Toronto and I saw the principal, " George replied. "Couldn't get at anybody else and imagine they didn't want to see me. "

"Well?" said Mrs. Farnam when he stopped with some embarrassment. 

"She was very polite, with the kind of politeness that freezes you. Didn't say much--nothing that I could get hold of and deny. But sheimplied a lot. "

"You can be frank. I believe I'm Agatha's oldest friend and I trust myhusband with all I know. "

"Very well; I've got to talk. Miss Southern began by supposing I hadcome to explain my sister's neglect of her duty, which had made thingsawkward at the school. I said I had not; I didn't know why Agatha hadnot come back, but had no doubt it was because she found it impossible. She'd gone off on an excursion into the northern bush, and accidentshappened. One lost one's canoes and provisions ran out. 

"Miss Southern said it was plain that as Agatha had important dutiesshe ought not to run such a risk, and asked what was the object of theexcursion. 

"I said it was a prospecting trip. Agatha had gone to find some silverore; and Miss Southern gave me a look that made me mad. It hinted thatshe thought my statement much too thin! Then she remarked that themanagers felt that their teachers must concentrate on their work anddivided interests made for slackness. In short, as Agatha had not comeback, they had got somebody else to take her post. 

"That was a knock, but I said I supposed they'd give her a first-ratetestimonial if she applied for another job. 

"She looked as if she didn't want to hurt me, but admitted that theywould be willing to state that Agatha had ability and taught sciencewell. Then she stopped and I asked if she could go no farther. Abilitywasn't all a teacher needed. 

"She said she must agree, and hinted that she had expected much fromAgatha, but felt badly disappointed now. She remarked that managers madesearching inquiries when they engaged a teacher for young girls andthought I could understand that she felt responsible--

"Well, I'd had enough. I said my sister was fit for a better job thanthe best they'd got and wouldn't bother them for a recommendation. ThenI left; thought I'd better quit before I let myself go. " George pausedand wiped his hot face. "You see how I was fixed? I could have bluffed aman into making a plain statement and then have knocked him out; butthat cool, polite lady made me hate my helplessness. "

"You were at a disadvantage, " Mrs. Farnam agreed with a smile that washalf amused and half sympathetic. "But I wonder who told her! Do youthink that fellow Stormont--"

"I'm going to find out, " George said grimly. "In the meantime, it's notimportant. I reckon you understand what this thing implies? If thesepeople won't support Agatha's application, she can't get another post. She'd have made her mark teaching, but now all that's gone; she's turneddown, and I'm responsible!"

"You are not to blame. I wonder whether she really knew the risk?"

"She knew she'd lose her job, but it wouldn't stop her; Agatha's likethat! Anyhow, I am to blame, " George rejoined. "I'm the head of thefamily and ought to have made her cut out the blamed foolish notion. Iknew what the lode meant to my mother and how she hated to hear the oldman talk about it. It took him--and now it's got my sister--"

He stopped, struggling with emotion, and Mrs. Farnam said:

"Perhaps I ought to have given Agatha a plainer hint; but, except forschool managers, we're not very conventional people in this country. Then I liked her pluck. It's weak to give way to the prejudices ofcensorious folks. Besides, in a sense, she really wasn't rash. "

"That's not the trouble, " George replied with heat. "I know my sister;so do you! But she's got to start business since she can't teach school, and I hate to think of her clerking in a store. She has talent andambition. "

"Talent will make its way anywhere, " Farnam remarked consolingly. 

"I don't know! Agatha's proud and has no use for the cheap tricks thathelp you get ahead of the other man. She won't advertise her smartnessand she's too dignified to snatch at chances among the scrambling crowd. I've pushed through; but it has put some marks on me, and I'm mostafraid my sister's going to be hurt. "

"You're taking it for granted she won't find the lode, " Farnam resumed. 

"Shucks!" said George with scorn. "All the comfort I've got is knowingshe won't have the money to waste on looking for the ore again--"

He stopped and listened to a rattle of wheels. "Some of your friendscoming? Don't mean to be rude, but I hope they're not. I'm not in a moodto talk to strangers. "

"We expect nobody, " Farnam replied. "I ordered some goods from Kingston, and Gordon's man promised to bring them from the depot if they came. "

The rattle got louder, but the trees hid the rig, which was approachingthe back of the house. It stopped, there were steps in the hall, andMrs. Farnam turned with an exclamation. Farnam pushed his chair back andGeorge sprang upright as Agatha came out on the veranda. 

She was very brown and thin; her clothes were new, but obviously cheapand the fit was bad. As she glanced at the group she smiled and therewas nothing in her tranquil manner to indicate the repentant prodigal. She kissed Mrs. Farnam and gave George her hand. 

"It really looks as if you were rather surprised than pleased, " sheremarked. 

"We're both, " said Mrs. Farnam. "But how did you come? It's some timesince the Toronto train got in. George has been here nearly an hour. "

"Your neighbor's hired man drove me from the station. I came by Ampriorand Prescott; there was a wash-out on the Sudbury track. But what wasGeorge doing at Toronto?"

"Looking after your business, " George replied. "I'm afraid you've got tobrace up. They told me you were fired!"

Agatha laughed. "I expected something like that! It really doesn'tmatter. "

"It doesn't matter!" George exclaimed, and gasped with indignation. "Anyhow, it matters to me. I've been fuming and fretting since I sawyour principal. " He turned to the others, as if for support. "What canyou do with a girl who talks in this way? How'm I to make herunderstand?"

"I think you had better wait a little, " Mrs. Farnam said and glanced atAgatha. "But did you travel in those clothes, my dear? Where did you buythem?"

"At a bush store, " said Agatha, smiling. "They were not as cheap as theylook, and my others had worn to rags. Besides, I hadn't much time, andit wasn't worth while to bother about my dress. "

"You don't seem to bother about much, " George remarked. "In fact, you'vecome back with a lordly calm that's as exasperating as it'sunjustifiable. "

Agatha gave him a thoughtful look. "Is Florence well?"

"Quite well. She's disturbed about you. "

"Then it's probably business! I suppose trade is bad?"

George lost his self-control. He was glad to see her back, butremembered what he had suffered for her sake. 

"My business doesn't occupy all my thoughts and you have made a blamedpoor joke! Here am I and your friends, trying to grapple with an awkwardsituation and puzzling how we're to help you out, and you _laugh_. Sofar as I can see, there's nothing humorous--"

"Don't be cross, " Agatha interrupted. "I don't need helping out. Ifbusiness isn't very good, I can offer you a post. "

George made an abrupt movement and looked hard at her. Farnam laughedsoftly, and his wife leaned forward. 

"You see, I've found the lode. It's richer than I thought, " Agatharesumed. 

There was silence for a few moments, and then George said: "I want timeto get hold of this. You found the ore the old man talked about! It'snot another stupid joke?"

"Not at all. Father located the vein on his last journey and left apaper with directions. Mr. Thirlwell found it in his tobacco-box. Thedirections were not complete and we had some trouble--but we'll talkabout this later. The claim is recorded and Mr. Thirlwell has gone backto begin the development. Mr. Scott, his employer, is coming to seeyou. "

"Well, " said George dully, "I'll own I've got a knock. I reckoned ifthere was a lode, it would never be found. Looks as if I didn't know asmuch as I thought. But that's not all. Since I was old enough to guessmy mother's fears I did the old man wrong. He's made good. I doubted, but you knew him best and you believed. "

"Agatha's tired, " Mrs. Farnam broke in. "She needs a rest and I'm goingto get her some food. You can ask her what you like when I bring herback. "

"I suppose you want to satisfy your curiosity first, " Farnam suggested. 

"We're not going to talk about _mining_, " Mrs. Farnam rejoined. "However, I must do you justice; you took Agatha's side from the first. After all, your judgment's good now and then. "

She took Agatha away and when they had gone George remarked: "I can'tgrip the thing yet. It's hard to get rid of a fixed idea you've had fromboyhood. Still I ought to have known that Agatha wouldn't undertake ajob she couldn't put over. "

It was getting dark when Mrs. Farnam and the girl came back, and Georgesaid, "Now I want to know all about your trip. Begin where you left thecars and go right on. "

"That will take some time, " Mrs. Farnam interposed. "Shall I light thelamp in the room?"

"I think not, " said Agatha, and smiled. "My story goes best with thetwilight in the open. We had no lamps and pretty furniture in the bush. "

She was silent for a few moments, looking across the orchard. The fruittrees were blurred and dim and the pines were black, but the sky shonesoftly red and green above their ragged tops. Then she began to talk;disjointedly at first, but the scenes she recalled got clearer as shewent on, and she forgot her audience. It was her business to makethings plain; she had studied this part of her vocation andunconsciously used her power to seize and hold the other's interest, butshe did not know that she was drawing a lifelike portrait of her guide. Mrs. Farnam knew, and with a tactful question here and there led thegirl forward. 

It was, however, impossible to relate her journey and leave Thirlwellout. He took the leading part that belonged to him, and his characterwas firmly outlined by her memory of the things he had said and done. With something besides artistic talent Agatha unconsciously developedthe sketch, dwelling upon his cheerfulness, courage, and resource. Shetold the others how he had nerved her to resolute effort when they haddifficulties to overcome, sympathized when she was tired, and held theconfidence of his men. Moreover, she made it obvious that there had beenno romantic philandering. He had given her an unselfish, brotherlyprotection. 

The narrative lost something of its force after she came to the findingof the broken range. She saw she had been franker than she thought, andthe change in Thirlwell could not be talked about. It was dark now, thered and green had faded above the trees, and she was grateful for thegloom. She was not afraid of George and Farnam, but did not want Mabelto study her. Only the latter noted that she paused awkwardly now andthen and added a rather involved explanation. The men were engrossed byThirlwell's efforts to find the ore. When she stopped they were quietfor a few moments. 

Then George said: "You would never have struck the lode without thatman. " He turned to the others. "Some story of a prospecting trip! Whatdo you think?"

"I think Agatha was very lucky, " Mrs. Farnam said with meaning. "Perhapsluckier than she deserved. "

"Thirlwell's all right, " George bluntly agreed, and then addressedAgatha: "You have often got after me about being a business man, andI'll own I don't let many chances of making a dollar pass. But thisthing goes back of business. Thirlwell's entitled to half of all youget. "

Agatha was moved. She had found out some time since that she had notalways understood George. 

"I offered him half, " she said and paused. "He wouldn't accept. "

Mrs. Farnam, seeing the girl was embarrassed, got up. "I'm cold. We hadbetter go in. "

When she had lighted the lamp, Farnam went out and came back with a trayof bottles and glasses. 

"It's not often we celebrate an event like this, " he said as he opened abottle. "We have no wine, but this is some of our own hard cider that Imeant to send to the Fruit-Growers' Exhibition. There's nothing elsegood enough. "

He filled the glasses and with a few happy words wished Agatha success. She thanked him and afterwards stood up, very straight but silent, andwith her eyes shining softly lifted her glass above her head. The otherslifted theirs, in grave quietness, for they knew what she meant. Thepioneers touch the ridge-pole of the tent, or the roof-tree of theshack, when they drink to the memory of comrades who have gone out onthe last lone trail. But George's look was troubled and his hand shook. 

"He made good, " he said, and added, when they had drunk and Farnamrefilled the glasses: "Here's to the man who helped you prove it; theman who did my job!"

Mrs. Farnam studied Agatha and noted the softness of her look. Then shetook the girl away and some time afterwards, when they were talking inher room, remarked: "There's an obvious end to your romance, my dear. Isuppose you're going to marry Thirlwell?"

Agatha blushed, but gave her a steady glance. "He has not asked me. "

Mrs. Farnam pondered this and then made a sign of understanding. "Ithink I see; the man is white, although perhaps he's foolishly proud. Infact, I imagine he's worth one's taking some trouble about--"

She stopped, seeing Agatha's frown, and then resumed with a smile: "No;I'm not going to meddle! It's better to wait. He's a man, after all; youreally have some charm, and human nature's strong. "

CHAPTER XXX

A CHANGE OF LUCK

Scott met George at Montreal, and after spending some days there leftfor New York. When he stated the time of his return, George sent forAgatha and in the evening they went to meet him at the Grand TrunkStation. As they walked down the hill and by the Cathedral, Agatha feltexcited. She had soon discovered that it was one thing to find a silvervein and another to raise the capital one required to open up the mineand refine the ore. The cost of these operations, as calculated byScott, seemed enormous, and people rich enough to help either wanted thelargest share of the profit or were frankly skeptical. George had gotpromises of some support, but much depended on the result of Scott'svisit to his wealthy friends. 

It was dark when they walked up and down outside the platform gates; thetrain was late, and Agatha tried to control her nervous impatience. Shecould trust George's judgment about money matters and she liked Scott, but she had got a habit of looking to Thirlwell when difficulties mustbe met, and he could not help her now. He was in the North, where winterwould soon begin, doing her work with drill and giant powder. It wasgood work that demanded strength and courage and knowledge of Nature'slaws; she would have liked to have been there with him, instead of inthe city where one must grapple with commercial subtleties. 

By and by a bell tolled, there was a harsh rattle as the cars rolled in, and a few moments later Scott pushed through the crowd at the gate. Agatha went to meet him under a big lamp and saw by his look that he hadbeen successful. 

"I have fixed things and imagine you'll approve, " he said, as she gavehim her hand. 

"That's a relief, " George remarked. "We'll talk about it when we've gotsome supper. "

Scott laughed. "I think we'll call it dinner to-night. I'm sufferingfrom a natural reaction after our Spartan habits at the mine, andbelieve the occasion indicates the Place Viger. In fact, I telegraphedabout a table and rooms. "

They drove across the city, and Agatha looked about with some amusementand curiosity as she ate her dinner among wealthy English and Americantourists in the big dining-room. George had taken her to a hotel ofanother kind that catered for small business men, but she hoped Scott'sfastidious choice of the wines and the late flowers he had ordered werejustified. As she studied some of the other women's clothes andcontrasted them with hers, he looked up with a twinkle. 

"It's obvious that Toronto can hold its own with London, Paris, and NewYork, " he said. "However, if you're fond of diamonds and such ornaments, there's no reason you should exercise much self-denial. "

"I don't know if I'm fond of diamonds or not. I have never had any, "Agatha replied. 

"Well, they're quite unnecessary, but you'll soon be able to have themif you like. Your brother is plainly cautious; it will be yourprivilege to enlarge his views. "

George smiled rather grimly. "Agatha and I were brought up in a shabbyframe house behind a store and learned to think of cents instead ofdollars. Our father made some sacrifice to start us well; I know what itcost him now. "

"Perhaps we had better tell Miss Strange what we have done. When theyhave brought us our coffee we'll find a quiet place where we can talk. "

Some minutes later they sat down at a small table: behind a pillar in aspacious room, and Scott took out a bundle of documents. 

"This is the first meeting of the _Agatha Mine Company_, and it's properthat Miss Strange should be our chairman. To begin with, we must appointexecutive officials and the president comes first. I think the placebelongs to Mr. Strange. "

"No, " said George, "the treasurer's my job. You want a business man tokeep a tight hand on the money. "

They looked at Agatha, who made a sign of agreement. "Mr. Scott will bepresident. "

"Very well. The next is the general manager. Thirlwell's the best man Iknow. "

"I appointed him some time since, " Agatha replied. "It's his post aslong as he likes, and he ought to be paid better than anybody else. "

George glanced humorously at Scott. Agatha's manner was imperious andher voice resolute. It looked is if she meant to use her new authority. Scott nodded and gave her a document. 

"The shareholders may have something to say about these appointmentslater. In the meantime, this is a draft of our constitution. I muststate that we could have kept all the profit if we had borrowed themoney we need, but we should have had to pay high interest. On thewhole, it seemed better to float a small company; just large enough, infact, to get the protection the law allows a registered joint-stockbody. We find we can get the money easier in this way, and it dividesthe risk. You will see that a large block of shares is reserved foryourself and your brother; I take some in payment for the men andsupplies I am sending Thirlwell; and a number will be allotted at aboutninety, to the people who find the cash. "

Agatha studied the document and gave it to George. "What does issuingthe stock at ninety mean?"

"Ninety cents for the dollar's worth of stock, " George explained. "That's a ten per cent. Margin when it touches face value and it willsoon go higher. "

"I see, " said Agatha. "But the mine is ours, and by parting with theseshares we lose control. "

"Not altogether, " Scott replied. "Every share carries a vote. You andyour brother hold a large block, and the friends I've persuaded to joinus will vote with me. Of course, if anybody bought up the most part ofthe other shares, he could give us trouble, but that's not likely. Whenit's obvious that we're making a good profit none of the holders will bewilling to sell. In the meantime, some of the people are sending up amining expert, and if they're satisfied with his opinion they'll give usthe money. "

"I suppose it's a good arrangement, " said Agatha. "But before I agreeyou must send the draft to Thirlwell. "

"It might mean some delay. However, I expect he'll come down from themine to meet the expert, and if you insist--"

"I do insist, " said Agatha. "I can do nothing until I know what mymanager thinks. "

Scott promised to mail the document, and Agatha remarked: "When thepeople have taken up the shares there will be some left. "

"That is so, " said George. "It may be convenient later; I dare say wewill want more money when we begin the smelting, but we'll probably beable to issue the stock at a dollar then. In fact, I reckon we'llpresently have to ask for power to extend our capital. "

"You must only sell this reserve block to people you can trust, " saidAgatha, who began to ask questions about the mine. 

Scott was surprised to find how much she knew, but he told her all hecould and it was late in the evening when the party broke up. 

The engineer whom the subscribers sent North returned with asatisfactory report, and Thirlwell got to work. He had much to do, andalthough he was undecided about the future, resolved to stay until hehad opened up the vein. From the beginning he had to grapple withnumerous obstacles, for when he drove his adit the water broke in andthe rock was treacherous. Still he had tunneled far enough to escape thefrost when winter began, and the snow that stopped all surface work madetransport easier. One could travel straight across divides and frozenlakes, and the sledges ran smoothly on the ice. When the trail south wasbroken he built shacks at the camping places and kept a gang ofhalf-breeds felling trees and improving the road. 

After some months, he found it necessary to visit the railroadsettlement, and reaching it one evening, tired and numbed by cold, followed his sledge to the hotel in a thoughtful mood. For one thing, hemust write to Strange, whose last letter had hinted that he was anxious, and it would be hard to send an encouraging report. The ore was good, but the vein was thin and expensive to work. In fact, the working costwas much higher than he had thought. When he entered the hotel he wasdazzled by the light, and the sudden change of temperature made himdizzy. He stopped, wondering whether his eyes had deceived him, as a mandressed in clothes that were obviously English came forward. 

"Hallo, Jim!" said the latter. 

"Allott!" exclaimed Thirlwell. "What are you doing here?"

The other laughed. "I left Helen at New York. She's going to Florida forthe winter with her American friends and I thought I'd look you upbefore I followed. I've news, but it will keep until you have had somefood. "

Had Thirlwell not been an important man, he would probably have had towait until next morning for a meal, but the landlord's wife bustledabout and supper was soon on the table. There were no other guests, andwhen Thirlwell's appetite was satisfied he and Allott pulled theirchairs to the stove. The floor was not covered, the rough board wallswere cracked, and a tarry liquid dripped from the bend where thestovepipe pierced the ceiling. 

"The hotel is not luxurious and they have very crude ideas aboutcookery, but they tried to suit my fastidious taste when I told them Iwas a friend of yours, " Allott remarked. "However, I don't suppose youare remarkably comfortable at the mine, and you can change all this whenyou like. "

Thirlwell looked puzzled and Allott resumed: "You haven't opened yourmail yet and I didn't suggest it, because I wanted to talk to you first. I wonder whether it will be a shock to hear that Sir James is dead?"

"I'm sorry, " Thirlwell answered. "I think he'd have been kinder if I'dlet him. Perhaps I ought to have indulged him more than I did; but I wasobstinate, and--well, you know, he was harsh to my father--"

Allott made a sign of comprehension. "He died six weeks since and leftHelen most of his money; but he didn't cut you out. "

Thirlwell moved abruptly. 

"I expected nothing!"

"That was obvious, " Allott remarked with some dryness. "Sir James wasvery sore when you refused to come back, but he came round after a time. When he was ill he told Helen it was refreshing to find a man who couldnot be bought, and you were probably better fitted for roughing it inCanada than the career he had planned for you. He added that he doubtedif there were many like you in that country. Still I think if you hadmarried Evelyn, you'd have got a larger share. "

"Ah, " said Thirlwell, "I had forgotten Evelyn! Is she with Helen?"

"Your admission's significant. Evelyn married Campbell--you rememberhim? However, you don't seem very curious about your legacy. "

"I was thinking about my quarrel with Sir James, " Thirlwell replied. "But I am curious. "

Allott told him about the will and Thirlwell mused for some minutes. Hisshare was not very large, but he had expected nothing, and since he hadknown Agatha he had felt the strain of poverty. He was not rich now, buthis handicap was lighter and he began to see a ray of hope. Then heopened a letter from the English lawyers and asked Allott somequestions. 

After a time Allott said, "Helen rather felt she was robbing you whenshe heard the will and she was excited when you told us about the mine. I hope the ore is as good as you thought. "

"The ore is good, but difficult to work. Then I'm only manager; I holdno shares. "

"If you wished, you could buy enough to give you some control. "

"Yes; I shall do so, now I'm able. "

"Well, " said Allott, "Helen sent me to look you up and gave me amessage. This money was something of a surprise, and after building avinery and buying a new car, she doesn't know what to do with it. Ipointed out that it could be invested on good security at three or fourper cent. , but she declares this is not enough. In short, she's resolvedthat you are to use the money to develop your mine, but she ordered meto mention that she expects a handsome profit. "

Thirlwell smiled, although he was moved. He knew Mrs. Allott had triedto help him before, and it was plain that she had not resented hisrefusing her aid. 

"I think I see, " he answered. "Helen's very kind. We ought to make aprofit, but there's a risk. "

"Helen likes a risk. She's something of a gambler; for that matter, soam I. Besides, although you disappointed her once, she has a ratherremarkable confidence in you. Now have you, so to speak, a sportingchance?"

"The situation's much like this, " said Thirlwell thoughtfully; "theore's rich, but I expect we'll spend all our money before we get resultsthat would encourage the subscribers and warrant our asking for morecapital. "

"Then if you and Helen invested, it would enable your friends to carryon, and perhaps qualify you for a director's post?"

"Yes. I shall invest, but don't know that I'd be justified in usingHelen's money yet. However, suppose you come up and look at the mine. The journey's not so rough now we have broken the trail and put uprest-shacks at the camps. "

"Thanks, " said Allott. "I hoped you were going to ask me. "

They started in a few days and Allott spent a week at the mine. On theevening before he left, he sat talking with Thirlwell in the shack. Thefrost was arctic outside, but the night was calm, and the corner theyoccupied by the red-hot stove was comfortable. 

"What about Helen's money?" Allott asked. "I'm not a miner, but theassay reports look remarkably good, and I imagine you'll get over yourengineering troubles. "

"The financial troubles are the worst, " Thirlwell rejoined. 

"Then why not take the money?"

Thirlwell pondered. It was his duty to help Agatha, and Mrs. Allott'soffer, by making this easier, would enable him to earn the girl'sgratitude. He meant to invest his share of the legacy, but felt that heought not to risk his relative's capital for his private gain. 

"I'll know better how we stand when we get the new machines to work. Then, if I think it's pretty safe, I'll buy some shares for Helen. "

"Very well, " said Allott. "I'll open an account for you at the Bank ofMontreal, and Helen will give you legal power to act for her. This willenable you to command her proxy if you want to vote at a shareholders'meeting. If you don't use the money, she will get better interest thanin England. "

Thirlwell thanked him and Allott began to talk about something else. 

The latter left the mine next morning and when he had gone Thirlwelloccupied himself in strenuous and often dangerous work. He felt he hadto some extent misled Agatha and Strange. Expenses had outrun hiscalculations and he had encountered obstacles he had not foreseen. Moremoney would soon be needed, and he must get results that would encourageits subscription and warrant his using Mrs. Allott's capital. 

Sometimes the adit roof came down and sometimes the sides crushed in;the inclination of the vein was irregular and the dip was oftenawkwardly steep. Then the pines about the mine were small and damaged bywind and forest-fires. It was difficult to find timber that would bear aheavy strain, and Thirlwell walked long distances in the stinging frostto look for proper logs, and now and then camped with his choppersbehind a snowbank. For all that, he made progress, and as he pushed onthe adit his confidence in the vein grew stronger. Expenses were heavy, but the ore would pay for all. 

He grew thin and rather haggard. Sleeping in the snow one night withhalf-dried moccasins, he found his foot frozen when he awoke, and thedead part galled. He limped as he went about the mine, and soonafterwards his hand was nipped by a machine and the wound would notheal. He held on, however; meeting his troubles cheerfully andencouraging his men, and the ore-dump began to grow. 

His party was not alone, for soon after he got to work three men drovein their stakes behind his block of claims. They went south to filetheir records, and returning with several more, began the developmentthe law required. Others followed, and the neighborhood was soon dottedwith tents and discovery posts; but, for the most part, the men weresatisfied with blasting a few holes in the surface of their claims. Oneor two experienced miners talked to Thirlwell, and agreeing that the orecould only be reached from the ground owned by Agatha's Company, abandoned their holdings and went back; the others waited for a time, and then returned, disappointed, when their food was exhausted. 

The first arrivals, however, stayed and had opened two or three rudeshafts before the frost began. Then, instead of leaving, as Thirlwellexpected, they brought up provisions and built a log shack. It was plainthat they meant to hold the claims and Thirlwell was puzzled, becausehe saw the men were miners and thought they knew their labor was thrownaway. He imagined that Stormont had sent them, but could not see thelatter's object. The fellow could hardly expect to reach the inclinedvein except at a depth that would make it extremely expensive to work, and Thirlwell had improved his own and the adjoining claims enough toprotect them legally from encroachment. Still Stormont was unscrupulousand it was possible he had some cunning plan for embarrassing thecompany. Thirlwell felt disturbed, but he had no grounds for interferingwith the men, and although their relations were rather strained whenthey met, he left them alone. 

CHAPTER XXXI

THIRLWELL'S REWARD

Winter was nearly over when, one evening, George and Scott arrived atthe Farnam homestead where Agatha was a guest. The house was centrallyheated, and when the party gathered in Mrs. Farnam's pretty, warm room, Agatha wondered what Thirlwell was doing in the frozen North. Farnam hadinvested some money in the mine, and Agatha knew George had come to talkabout the company's business. 

"Things are not going well with us, " he said presently. "Our money'snearly spent and Thirlwell has not been able to get out much ore. Ithink I told you he suspected Stormont sent the men who staked theclaims behind our block, and the fellow's now getting on our track. He'sbeen to see Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others. "

"It would be awkward if they turned us down, " Farnam remarked. 

Agatha waited. She knew Gardner and Leeson held a number of the shares, but she did not understand the matter yet. 

"Very awkward, " George agreed. "I went to Leeson, and although he didn'tsay much, I reckon Stormont wants to buy his stock. He allowed that heand Gardner were not satisfied about our prospects, and I couldn't givehim much ground for holding on. Then I went to Hill, who said he'd gotan offer for his stock and meant to sell, but wouldn't name the buyer. Isuspected Stormont again, but we won't know until we get the transferform. "

"One could head him off by bidding higher for the shares, " Farnamsuggested. "Still I suppose it's impossible. Anyhow, I have no moremoney. "

"That applies to all of us, " George said dryly. 

Agatha smiled, for the situation had a touch of ironical humor. In asense, she was rich, but she was forced to practise stern economy andhad not the means to defend her wealth. 

"But what is Stormont's plan?" she asked. 

"I don't know, " said George. "That's the worst, because it's a surething he has a plan. When he's ready he'll get after us. "

"For revenge?"

"Not altogether, I think, " Scott replied. "He has a pick on you andThirlwell, but it's money he wants. If he could let you down when he gotthe money, it would, no doubt, add to his satisfaction. "

"If he bought up a large number of the shares, it would give him adangerous power, " Agatha said thoughtfully. "Besides, he might persuadesome of the other people to vote with him. It's unlucky we issued somany shares, although, of course, we needed the capital. "

Scott made a sign of agreement. "We kept a block large enough to give uscontrol unless nearly all the other holders voted against us, which wecould not expect. The trouble is, that our difficulties at the mine havemade them anxious. Stormont has probably worked on this, but it's hardto see how he means to use the people. "

For some time they puzzled about Stormont's object, but could not find aclue, and by and by Agatha said, "You must write to Mr. Thirlwell. "

"Thirlwell's job is to get out the ore, and we're up against things nowbecause he hasn't done as much as we expected, " George replied. 

Agatha's eyes sparkled. "He has done all that was possible. You mustwrite to him. "

"Very well, " said George, and began to talk about something else. 

 * * * * *

A week or two later Stormont bought a large number of shares, but thiswas all, and the snow was beginning to melt when George got an ominoushint that the other's plans had matured. Stormont telephoned asking ifhe would meet him and a few of the shareholders at Montreal to talkabout an important matter, and George fixed a day a week ahead. Then hewent to see Agatha. 

"It's lucky Mr. Thirlwell is coming down, " she said. "Telegraph forsomebody to meet him and tell him to be quick. He must get to Montrealfor the meeting. "

"I doubt if he can get through in time and don't see what he can do ifhe comes, " George objected. 

"Don't argue, but send the telegram. He has always been able to dosomething when there was a difficulty to be met, " Agatha rejoined; andGeorge did as she ordered. 

On the day of the meeting she joined George and Scott at Montreal andfelt a pang of disappointment when she found Thirlwell had not arrived. 

"Your messenger couldn't have gone far, and a number of things may havedelayed Thirlwell, but I know he'll come, " she said to George, whosmiled. 

"He'll come if it's possible; he's an obstinate fellow, " Scott agreed. "There's a train just before the meeting. Will you go to the station?"

"Yes, " said Agatha. "I feel he will be there. "

"Then you'll hold us up; that train is often late, " George grumbled. 

"Have you got a hint about what Stormont wants?" Agatha asked Scott. 

"Not yet, but we'll know soon. I expect George told you Stormont hasfloated a company to work the claims his men staked behind our block. "

They had some hours to wait because the meeting was in the afternoon, and Agatha found the shops strangely unattractive; moreover, she did notknow if it would be prudent to buy the things she wanted. In theafternoon she went to the Canadian-Pacific Station, and being told thetrain had left Ottawa late, she sat down in the neighboring square bythe Cathedral. She was surprised to find that she was nervous, but thiswas not altogether because of the money at stake. Thirlwell had notfailed her yet and it would be a painful shock if he did so now. She hada half-superstitious feeling that it was important he should come. If hearrived, all would go well; if not--but she refused to follow thethought, and looked at her watch. Only a few minutes had gone since herlast glance and she tried to conquer her impatience. 

Her heart beat when she stood beside the platform gate as the long trainrolled in. The cars were crowded, but she thrilled when Thirlwell jumpeddown from a vestibule. He looked thin and tired, but smiled when shegave him her hand. 

"I'm here, " he said. "A little late, but the train was held up by abroken trestle. "

"You are always where you are wanted, " Agatha replied, with a touch ofcolor in her face. "One trusts people like that. "

Thirlwell said he would get a hack in the square, and Agatha studied himas they drove across the city. Sometimes his face was stern, but for themost part, it wore a look of quiet satisfaction, and once or twice hiseyes twinkled, as if he were amused by something. 

"It's too bad to hurry you off to an important meeting when you'retired, " she said. 

Thirlwell laughed. "I expect to hold out until the business is finished. In fact, I'm looking forward to meeting Mr. Stormont. "

He had made a long and risky journey over a rough trail and acrossrotten ice, and after George's messenger found him had pushed on as fastas possible through deep, melting snow, but he did not mean to talkabout this. By and by he gave Agatha a humorous account of a smallaccident at the mine, and she followed his lead. She had felt disturbedand anxious, but now he had come she could smile. For all that she wassilent when they drove up a shabby street where the company's office wassituated at the top of an old building. 

The office had two rooms; one very small, where a wheat-broker had adesk and combined the secretary's duties with his regular business. Theother was larger, and when George and Scott went in was occupied byStormont, Gardner, and two or three other gentlemen. George imaginedthey had come early to arrange their program. 

"You are punctual, but I'm sorry I must ask you to wait, " he said. "MissStrange will not be long and wishes to be present when we begin. Sheholds the largest block of shares. "

"Then I suppose Miss Strange must be indulged; but I don't know that herholding is larger than these gentlemen's and mine, " Stormont repliedwith a meaning smile. 

George saw he had been given a hint, but he and the others began to talkgood-humoredly. All knew that a struggle was coming, but politeamenities were dignified and marked one's confidence. By and by the dooropened and Stormont frowned as Thirlwell came in with Agatha. 

"We are glad to see Miss Strange, but Mr. Thirlwell owns none of thecompany's stock, " he said. 

Thirlwell smiled, in a rather curious way, but said nothing and Agathareplied: "Mr. Thirlwell is the manager; I asked him to come. "

"Then I take back my objection, " Stormont said with a bow. "I asked youand Mr. Strange to meet us so that we could talk informally about somebusiness. Although we must call a shareholders' meeting if mysuggestions are approved, we hold enough stock between us to forcethrough any decision at which we arrive. "

"To begin with, you had better state whose votes you command, " saidGeorge. 

When Stormont gave the names the secretary opened the register and thennodded. "If all who are present and the others Mr. Stormont mentionsagree, it would give a larger majority than our constitution requires. "

"We'll take it for granted that the gentlemen would vote as Mr. Stormontdirects, " said George, who looked disturbed. "We wait his proposition. "

"My friends and I are dissatisfied with the way things are going. No orehas been smelted; and, so far as we can learn, the quantity in the dumpis small. We are working on an unprofitable scale, and need more laborand better and more expensive machines. In short, we need more money. Ihave no doubt Mr. Thirlwell will admit this. "

"A larger capital would be an advantage, " Thirlwell assented dryly. 

"We can't extend our capital, " George objected. "It was hard work to getthe stock we have issued taken up. "

"I can show you how the difficulty can be got over, " Stormont resumed. "You know I floated the Adventurers Company to work the back blocks, andas the claims haven't come up to our expectations, we have more moneythan we can use, while the Agatha Company has not enough. Well, Ipropose that you combine with us on the terms I've drafted. If you don'tapprove them all, we'll meet you where we can. "

He gave George a paper, but Agatha interposed: "You can take it forgranted that we will not make the combine. "

Stormont smiled, deprecatingly. "I'm afraid you cannot help yourselves, Miss Strange. "

Agatha looked at George, whose face got red. 

"I can understand the Adventurers being anxious to take us in. Yourproperty is worthless, Mr. Stormont, and ours is rich. "

"We're willing to pay. "

George studied the paper and then threw it down. "You're willing to payabout a quarter of what the mine is worth! After reading that document, it's obvious that you mean to put the screw to us; but we'll fight. "

Scott, who glanced at the draft of agreement, nodded, but Stormont said:"You might make some trouble, but must be beaten. "

"Why?" Agatha asked. 

"I think your brother knows. Each share in your company carries a vote;I hold a large block, and the gentlemen who have promised to support mehold more. If you force us to call a meeting, we will count you out. "

"There are some shares in reserve, " said Agatha, whose eyes sparkleddefiantly. 

Stormont smiled. "If you have some rich friends, you might, of course, persuade them to buy the shares and vote for you; but you can't sellthem in the ordinary way. I imagine Mr. Strange has tried!"

Agatha saw that George had tried when she glanced at his disturbed face. Then she turned to Thirlwell and noted, with surprise, that he lookedamused. She could see nothing in the way matters were going thatwarranted his humorous twinkle. It looked as if Stormont would win, andshe felt that she was being robbed to satisfy his greed; but the minemeant more to her than the money she had expected to get. She hadresolved to make it famous as a monument to her father; its success wasto prove that his life had not Been wasted in empty dreams. 

"Investors are a suspicious lot, " Stormont went on. "They don't like tolose their money, and you must admit that there's not much to encouragebuyers of your shares to run the risk. The ore is rich, but we are upagainst obstacles that your manager is obviously unable to remove. Infact, my scheme ought to work out for your benefit. "

The sneer at Thirlwell roused Agatha. "The obstacles will not vanish ifyou get control, and you cannot find a manager who will do as well. Thenthe scheme will not benefit me; it is meant to benefit nobody but you. If your friends are foolish enough to support it, you will find a way ofoverreaching them. "

George frowned. Agatha's indignation was warranted, but this was not theline to take at a business meeting. Then Gardner looked up, rathersharply, as if the girl's remarks had excited some suspicion that wasalready in his mind. 

"I think you must see that any advantage Mr. Stormont gains will beshared by the rest. "

"If you believe this, you are very dull, " Agatha replied. 

"Anyhow, you'll admit that we are short of money and don't know where toget it, while to combine with the Adventurers would supply the neededcapital. "

"Yes, " said Agatha. "But Mr. Stormont wants to take your shares for muchless than they are worth. You can let him have yours, if you like; heshall not get mine!"

"Then you must try to sell them, and you'll find it difficult, " Leesoninterposed. "If you force us to call a meeting, we can carry ourscheme. "

"You are all against me!" Agatha exclaimed, looking at the others. "Youhave let Mr. Stormont cajole you!"

"I don't know that we have been _cajoled_, " Leeson answered with adoubtful smile. "In a sense, however, we are against you. We arebusiness men and must protect our interests in the best way we can. "

"Trusting Mr. Stormont is not the best way, " Agatha rejoined, withoutregarding Scott's amusement and George's frown. 

"I'm afraid we must call the meeting, " Gardner broke in. "We hoped youwould have met us, Miss Strange, because you are bound to lose when wetake a formal vote. "

Agatha felt desperate and glanced at Thirlwell; if he could do nothingelse, he could sympathize. He gave her an encouraging smile as he gotup, for he knew his time had come and had been silent because he wantedto let Stormont reveal his plans. The latter, however, obviously meantto leave the argument to his dupes. Agatha, noting his confidence, remembered that when they reached the office he had asked her to wait afew minutes while he talked to the secretary. 

"Mr. Stormont made two rash statements, " he said. "He told us thereserved shares could not be sold, and that he could count upon amajority. "

"I object to Mr. Thirlwell's speaking, " Stormont said with some alarm. "We allowed him to stay at Miss Strange's request, but the manager hasno vote. "

"I imagine Mr. Stormont doesn't know I am a shareholder. Perhaps thesecretary will enlighten him. "

Stormont started, Scott smiled, and George looked surprised. The otherswaited anxiously. 

"Mr. Thirlwell holds a quantity of our stock. "

"How much?" Stormont asked, and when the secretary told him, struggledto preserve his calm. 

"The reserved block is sold, " Thirlwell resumed. "I bought the shareshalf an hour since for myself and a friend of mine. " He paused and put astamped document on the table. "Here's my authority to use the proxyvotes. "

He sat down and Scott remarked: "I think Mr. Stormont will admit thatthe majority has, so to speak, changed sides!"

Stormont examined the register, and then stood by his chair with hisfist clenched. He said nothing, his supporters looked embarrassed, andAgatha saw that Thirlwell had saved the situation. Her heart beat withconfused emotion; she had known he would not fail her. 

"Well, " said George, rather dryly, "do you still demand a meeting?"

"Certainly not, " said Gardner with frank relief, and the others murmuredagreement. Then he turned to Agatha: "I'd like you to understand that wetook the line we did because it seemed the only plan. Now, however, there's no necessity for making the combine. "

Stormont gave him a savage look. "This means that you and the othersturn me down?"

"It means that we want to save our money, " Gardner replied, andStormont, who said nothing, walked out of the room. 

His friends seemed relieved when he left and began to talk to Agatha andGeorge in apologetic tones. One or two, however, looked thoughtful, andpresently Gardner said: "Mr. Thirlwell has removed the obstacle thatbothered us most and I mean to keep my stock, although I expect it willbe some time before I get a dividend. "

"Not as long as you think!" Thirlwell remarked. 

"Then you have something to tell us?" said another. 

"Not yet; I'll make a full report at the shareholders' meeting. In themeantime, do you think Stormont will sell out?"

"It's possible, " said Gardner. "He wanted control. We knew that, butbacked him because it seemed the safest plan. I guess he knows he'sbeaten. "

"Then if he offers you his stock, you had better buy, " said Thirlwell, smiling. 

Gardner looked hard at him, and nodded. "I can take a hint. What you saygoes. "

 * * * * *

After this the party broke up and Scott gently pushed George out when hesaw that Agatha was waiting while Thirlwell picked up some papers he hadgot from the secretary. When the others had gone, she gave him her handand her face flushed. 

"I wonder whether you know how much you have helped?"

Thirlwell kept her hand. "I got some satisfaction from beating yourantagonist. "

"But you wanted to help me?"

"I did, " said Thirlwell, with a steady look. "I was anxious to dosomething that would make you happy. "

Agatha turned her head. "Yet you once refused; the morning after wefound the lode--"

"Ah, " said Thirlwell, "I fought a pretty hard battle then! But, you see, I was a poor engineer, and you--"

She looked up with a smile and blushed. "Do you think I didn't _know_?But you were foolish; ridiculously stupid!"

Thirlwell took her other hand. "Perhaps I was, but I thought I wasright. Things, however, are different now--"

He drew her to him, but she resisted. "Wait! If things had not beendifferent, would your resolution have held out?"

"No, " said Thirlwell, "I'm afraid not; I'm not as strong as I imagined. "

"Oh!" she said, "perhaps that's the nicest thing I have heard you say!But you really didn't often try to be very nice. "

"I was afraid I might say too much if I began. "

"No!" she protested, as his grasp got firmer. "There's something else!How long have you really--"

"How long have I wanted you? Well, I think I began to feel the need aday or two after I met you at the summer hotel. "

Agatha blushed, but smiled with shining eyes. 

"Then if the need hasn't gone, you can take me. "

Thirlwell said nothing, but took her in his arms.