e-sense, as they say in the West, but you'll be beaten in
the end. How does it feel"--she asked it with provoking candour--"to be
the boss of big things?"

"I know I'm always settling troubles my business foes make for me. I
have to settle one of them now, and I'm glad I've met you, for you can
help me. I want some new river-rules made. If Belloc and Grier'll agree
to them, we'll do away with this constant trouble between our gangs."

"And you'd like me to help you?"

He smiled a big riverman's smile down at her, full of good-humour and
audacity.

"If you could make it clear to Fabian that all I'm after is peace on the
river, it'd do a lot of good."

"Well, do you know," she said demurely, "I don't think I'll take a hand
in this game, chiefly because--" she paused.

"Yes: chiefly because--"

"Because you'll get your own way without help. You get everything you
want," she added with a little savage comment.

A flood of feeling came into his eyes, his head jerked like that of a
bull-moose. "No, I don't get everything I want. The thing I want most in
the world doesn't come to me." His voice grew emotional. She knew what
he was trying to say, and as the idea was not new she kept composure.
"I'm not as lucky as you think me," he added.

"You're pretty lucky. You've done it all as easy as clasping your
fingers. If I had your luck--!" she paused.

"I don't know about that, but if I could reach out and touch you at any
time, as it were, I think it'd bring me permanent good luck. You'll find
out one day that my luck is only a bubble the prick of a pin'll destroy.
I don't misunderstand it. I've been left John Grier's business by Grier
himself, and he's got a son that ought to have it, and maybe will have
it, when the time is ripe."

Suddenly an angry hand flashed out towards him. "When the time is ripe!
Does that mean, when you've made all you want, you'll give up to Carnac
what isn't yours but his? Why don't you do it now?"

"Well, because, in the first place, I like my job and he doesn't want
it; in the second place, I promised his father I'd run the business as
he wished it run; and in the third place, Carnac wouldn't know how to
use the income the business brings."

She laughed in a mocking, challenging way. "Was there ever a man didn't
know how to use an income no matter how big it was! You're talking
enigmas, and I think we'd better say good-bye. Your way to the Belloc
offices is down that street." She point