e, with his
forehead wrinkled up. Seen him look like that when he reckoned the roof
was coming down on us."

Agatha's curiosity was excited, because she thought she had noted a
subtle difference in Thirlwell's manner. There was a hint of reserve,
and sometimes he looked disturbed. Then Drummond interrupted his
companion.

"You can't tell what the boss thinks when he doesn't want, and we're
certainly going to find the lode."

"I'd like to see you strike it all right, because if you don't, you're
going to be some dollars out," the miner replied. "Don't know who's
paying 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 interest
as he enumerated the different items.

"Well," said Drummond, "I can't value the tools and powder, but allowing
for transport, you've got the stores nearly right. Anyhow, I'm going
swimming. If Pierre will give me ten yards, I'll race him to the
island."

They went away and Agatha sat still with a hot face. She had trusted
Thirlwell and he had deceived her; her money had soon been exhausted and
the journey was now being made at his expense. She felt as if she had
been robbed of something to which she had a sacred right; she had let a
stranger undertake the task that was peculiarly hers. Then she had been
cheated so easily. Thirlwell must think her a fool, or perhaps that she
was willing to be deceived.

Getting calmer, she admitted that his object was good. He wanted to
help, 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 to
look for the best line across the neck between them and another lake.
When he came back the men were unloading the canoes and he occupied
himself with making up the packs.

They had camped and eaten supper before her opportunity came, and then
as they sat by the water's edge she told him what she had heard. He
listened 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, you
cheated me."

Th