declares this is not enough. In short, she's resolved
that you are to use the money to develop your mine, but she ordered me
to mention that she expects a handsome profit."

Thirlwell smiled, although he was moved. He knew Mrs. Allott had tried
to help him before, and it was plain that she had not resented his
refusing her aid.

"I think I see," he answered. "Helen's very kind. We ought to make a
profit, but there's a risk."

"Helen likes a risk. She's something of a gambler; for that matter, so
am I. Besides, although you disappointed her once, she has a rather
remarkable confidence in you. Now have you, so to speak, a sporting
chance?"

"The situation's much like this," said Thirlwell thoughtfully; "the
ore's rich, but I expect we'll spend all our money before we get results
that would encourage the subscribers and warrant our asking for more
capital."

"Then if you and Helen invested, it would enable your friends to carry
on, and perhaps qualify you for a director's post?"

"Yes. I shall invest, but don't know that I'd be justified in using
Helen'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 up
rest-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 the
evening before he left, he sat talking with Thirlwell in the shack. The
frost was arctic outside, but the night was calm, and the corner they
occupied by the red-hot stove was comfortable.

"What about Helen's money?" Allott asked. "I'm not a miner, but the
assay reports look remarkably good, and I imagine you'll get over your
engineering 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's
offer, by making this easier, would enable him to earn the girl's
gratitude. He meant to invest his share of the legacy, but felt that he
ought 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 of
Montreal, and Helen will give you legal power to act for her. This will
enable you to command her proxy if you want to vote at a shareholders'
meeting. If you do