?"

"I don't. If he'd known we were in the neighborhood, he would not have
lighted a fire."

"After all," said Agatha thoughtfully, "my father stated that he had
staked the claim."

"I'm afraid that doesn't count for much. You're not recognized as
prospective owner until your record's filed. I imagine your father's
statement would carry some weight, but going to law about a mine is
generally an expensive job, and it's hard to put up a good fight against
a 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 been
bothering 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 a
clue, but we'll stick to ours and take the risk. Your father's
directions 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 the
range."

Thirlwell got up and went to see the canoes launched, but he wondered
whether Agatha remembered that there were only two or three days of the
fortnight left. He thought she did remember, but he resolved that they
would not turn back.

Soon after they started, a fresh breeze sprang up from the north-west
and the shadows of flying clouds sped across the lake. The sky between
the clouds was a curious vivid blue, the light was strong, and the woods
along the bank flashed into bright color and faded to somber green as
the gleams of sunshine passed. For a few minutes, trunks and branches
stood out, sharply distinct, and then melted suddenly into their
background. By degrees the ripples that lined the lake got larger; there
was an angry splashing at the bows of the canoes, and little showers of
spray 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 were
persuaded from the beginning that you would find the ore. It looks as if
you were naturally optimistic."

"Oh, no! I had my weak moments when I wanted to shirk. I hated to feel I
wasn't free like other people, and was willing to throw away my chance
of