n.

"In this case, I won't be an exacting creditor. In fact, it's rather
curious how we've hit it off, considering that you wouldn't hear of a
compromise and our interests are opposed."

"I don't know what your interests are," Lisle returned dryly.

"Then, in one way, I'm ahead of you. I know your wishes, and
Nasmyth's--you don't want Clarence to marry Miss Gladwyne. It's your
motive I'm not sure about. Do you want the girl yourself?"

They were some distance in front of the others, who were too far behind
to hear them. Lisle looked at his companion steadily. The man was engaged
in a business that was regarded with general disfavor, but there was
something he liked about him and he did not resent his bluntness.

"Well," he answered, "it isn't for the reason you've given that I mean to
stop the match."

"Can you do so?"

"I'm going to try."

Batley smiled reflectively.

"And the present journey is somehow connected with the attempt? Now I
believe I might have left you held up on the wrong side of the canon;
the idea was in my mind and you can give me credit for not yielding to
it. I suppose there would be no use in my asking you for a hint as to the
relation between my rather tricky companion's expedition and his cousin's
death?"

"None in the least," said Lisle decidedly.

Batley made a gesture of acquiescence.

"Oh, well! We must try to be friends as long as possible."

Nothing more was said about the matter, and they spent the day forcing a
passage through scrub timber, up precipitous hillsides, and across long
stony ridges.

There was no sign of Gladwyne's trail, but that did not trouble Lisle,
for he knew where the man was heading for. On the second day Batley
showed signs of distress, and Nasmyth and Crestwick were walking very
wearily, but Lisle held on at a merciless pace. It was essential that he
should reach the cache before Gladwyne could interfere with it. Toward
evening, Nasmyth made an effort and caught up with Lisle.

"How would Clarence get across to the second cache on the other side of
the water?" he asked. "It's a point I've been considering; I suppose it's
occurred to you."

"I don't know," Lisle confessed. "The Indians near the divide said there
was another party with canoes somewhere lower down; but, as the packer
who was with me didn't talk to them, so far as I noticed, I don't see how
Gladwyne could have heard of it; but that's as far as I can go. If he
destroyed the first cac