"No." Foster's glance came back from the street; his voice rang a little
sharp. "Take it yourself, Hollis."

"I can trust it with Banks." Tisdale paused a moment, still looking out on
the harbor lights and the stars, then said: "So you are going north again;
back to the copper mine, I presume?"

"No, I shall be there later, but I expect to make a quick trip in to the
Iditarod now, to look over placer properties. The syndicate has bonded
Banks' claims and, if it is feasible, a dredger will be sent in next
spring to begin operations on a big scale. I shall go, of course, by way
of the Yukon, and if ice comes early and the steamers are taken off,
return by trail around through Fairbanks."

"I see." Tisdale leaned forward a little, grasping the arms of his chair.
"The syndicate is taking considerable risk in sending you to the Iditarod
at this time. Suppose those coal cases should be called, with you
winter-bound up there. Why, the Chugach trial couldn't go on."

"I am identified with the Morganstein interests there, I admit; but why
should the Chugach claims be classed with conspiracies to defraud the
Government? They were entered regularly, fifty coal claims of one hundred
and sixty acres each, by as many different persons. Because the President
temporarily suspended Alaska coal laws is no reason those patents should
be refused or even delayed. Our money was accepted by the Government; it
was never refunded."

"As I thought," said Tisdale softly, addressing the stars; "as I feared."
Then, "Foster, Foster," he admonished, "be careful. Keep your head. That