s; Lisle thought the idea of
getting on to the inside track appealed to his vanity.

"It's a curious name they've given the mine," commented the lad,
repeating it. "What does it mean?"

Lisle started, for he recognized the name, and it offered him a lead.
Strolling toward the group, he leaned against the table.

"I can tell you that," he said. "It's an Indian word for a river gorge. I
went up it not long ago."

"Then," exclaimed Crestwick, "I suppose you know the mine?"

Lisle glanced at the others. Their eyes were fixed upon him, Batley's
steadily, Gladwyne's with a hint of uneasiness. It was, he felt, a
remarkable piece of good fortune that had given him control of the
situation.

"Yes," he answered carelessly, "I know the mine."

"I'm thinking of taking shares in it," Crestwick informed him.

"Well," said Lisle, "that wouldn't be wise."

Gladwyne leaned farther back in his seat, as if to disassociate himself
from the discussion, which was what the Canadian had expected from him;
but Batley, who was of more resolute fiber, showed fight. His appearance
became aggressive, his face hardened, and there was a snap in his eyes.

"You have made a serious allegation in a rather startling way, Mr. Lisle.
As I've an interest in the company in question, I must ask you to
explain."

"Then I'd advise you to get rid of your interest as soon as possible;
that is, so long as you don't sell out to Crestwick, who's a friend of
mine."

Batley's face began to redden, and Lisle, looking around at the sound of
a footstep, saw Marple standing a pace or two away. He was a fussy,
bustling man, and he raised his hand in expostulation.

"Was that last called for, or quite the thing, Lisle?" he asked.

Batley turned to Gladwyne, as if for support, and the latter assumed his
finest air.

"I think there can be only one opinion on that point," he declared.

Lisle's eyes gleamed with an amusement that was stronger than his
indignation. That Gladwyne should expect this gravely delivered decision
to have any marked effect tickled him.

"Well," he replied, "I'm ready to stand by what I said, and I'll add that
if I had any shares I'd give them away to anybody who would register as
their owner before the next call is made."

"I understood there wouldn't be a call for a long while," Crestwick broke
in.

"Then whoever told you so must have been misinformed," Lisle rejoined.

"Are you casting any doubt upon my honor?" Batley demande