Er---er---"

"Out with it, chum!"

"So far I have been disappointed in the claim. But I am well
aware that I may be wrong. Listen, Tom, old fellow. This isn't
a matter of faith in the mine; it's one of faith in you. Go as
far as you like, and, whichever way it turns out, remember that
I regard your judgment as being many times as good as my own."

"Yet you'd drop out if the decision rested solely with you, wouldn't
you, Harry,"

"You'll never again get my opinion of this claim of ours," laughed
Hazelton. "You'll have to be contented with my good opinion of
you and your judgment."

"But see here, Harry, I wish you'd get out of here for a while.
Go back into the world; take a position that will support you
and provide the luxuries and savings as well. I'll work here
faithfully and work for both of us at the same time."

"You must have a mighty small opinion of me, Tom Reade, to think
I'd leave you in the lurch like that."

"But I ask it as a favor, Harry."

"If you ever ask that sort of a favor again, Tom Reade, you and
I will be nearer to fighting than we've ever been yet in our lives!"

It was plain that Hazelton intended to stick to the mine, even
to the starving point, if Reade did. After some further talk
the two went back to their tent and lay down on their cots.

Five minutes later Harry's quiet, regular breathing betrayed the
fact that he was asleep. With a stealthy movement, Tom Reade
threw down the blankets, reached for his shoes, his coat and hat
and stole out into the quiet and darkness.

From other tents and shacks nearby came snores that showed how
soundly miners could sleep.

"I believe this is the first night that I ever failed to sleep
on account of business worries," muttered Reade grimly, as he
strode away. "This may be a fine start toward becoming a nervous
wreck. In time I may become as shattered as poor little Alf Drew.
I wonder if I shall ever fall so low as to smoke cigarettes!"

For some minutes Tom plodded on through the darkness. He did
not go toward the claim, but in the opposite direction. He walked
like one who felt the need of physical exhaustion. Presently
coming to a steep trail winding along among boulders he took to
the trail, striding on at barely diminished speed.

At last, out of breath from the rapid climb, Tom halted and gazed
down over the rugged landscape. "The gold is there," he muttered.
"I'm sure of it. Oh, if we could only find it!"

As Tom