r, and flying pieces
rattled among the trunks. When the vapor began to clear and she wanted
to 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 joined
them.

"In the morning I'll go with you to see where we ought to stake the
other claims," he said to the men. "You can, of course, locate where you
like, but this job will need some capital and you want to get the best
frontage 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. She
knew that Drummond and the rock-borer could do nothing with their
claims except sell them to somebody who could supply the money to
develop the mines; but before they started Thirlwell had outlined a plan
by which the holdings might be consolidated and worked together. The men
had approved and promised to give her what Thirlwell called an option,
if it seemed worth while to do the work required before the patents
would be granted.

When the fumes had cleared they went with him to the cliff and he came
back with a heavy bag. It was dark, but the firelight shone about him as
he 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 his
face. He looked stern, but forced a smile--

"Your father was not deceived, and what he left unfinished you can make
good. 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 I
expect you're tired and you ought to sleep well to-night. I must begin
at daybreak. The sooner we start back to record the ground we claim, the
better."

"Then good-night," she said quietly, but when she moved away through the
shadow her face was resolute.

CHAPTER XXVII

THIRLWELL'S DULLNESS

Soon after daybreak, Thirlwell, Drummond, and the rock-borer pushed
their way through the woods behind the cliff. The vein dipped and in
consequence the farther one went back from the creek, the greater would
be the cost of reaching the ore. Besides, it was possible that the ore
pinched out and the uncovered part was an unusually