will have to wait until I can have sold my claim. Then you can have
what you want, five thousand, ten thousand . . ."

She had sprung to her feet, her arms flung out about his neck.

"I believe you do love me, David," she said triumphantly.

Before Drennen left her it was arranged that Lemarc was to come with
him to Lebarge, that Drennen was to raise the money as soon as he
could, that it was to be placed in Lemarc's hands so that the work
could begin. And the next morning David Drennen, bearing a heart which
sang in his bosom, left the Settlement for Lebarge.

"In a week at most I'll be back, Ygerne," he had whispered to her. "On
the seventh day, in the morning early, will you meet me here, Ygerne?"

And Ygerne promised.

CHAPTER XVI

THE LOST GOLDEN GIRL PAYS AN OLD DEBT

Drennen, presenting himself early upon the second morning in the
offices of the Northwestern Mining Company, found that he was expected.
A clerk, arranging papers of the day's work upon his desk, came forward
quickly, a look of interest in his eyes.

"Mr. Drennen?" he asked.

"Yes."

"This way, sir. You come early but they are looking for you."

Drennen followed him through a second office, unoccupied, and to a
glazed door upon which was the inscription, "Local Manager." The sound
of voices coming through the door fell off abruptly at the clerk's
discreet knock.

Drennen entered and the clerk, closing the door, went back to his own
office. Fronting Drennen, at his flat-topped desk, sat old Marshall
Sothern, the muscles of his face tense, his eyes grim with the purpose
in them. A second man, small, square, strong-faced, a little
reckless-eyed, sat close to Sothern. The third man of the group,
standing fronting the two, was a young looking fellow, tall and with
the carriage of a soldier, wearing the uniform of an officer of the
mounted police.

Sothern rose, putting out his hand across the table.

"Good morning, Mr. Drennen," he said evenly. "I am glad that you have
come so soon. This is Mr. McCall," nodding toward the strong-faced,
middle-aged man with the young eyes. "You've heard of him, no doubt?
Our chief over the Western Division. And this is Lieutenant Max of the
Northwest Mounted, one of 'my boys.' Be seated, Mr. Drennen. And if
you will pardon us a second?"

He turned toward Lieutenant Max. Drennen, having gripped Sothern's
hand, having bestowed upon him a sharp look which seemed to seek to
pierce th