plausible; but it was possible he wanted to prevent her asking advice.

"I must wait until I know what my friends think," she insisted.

"Although the loss of time may spoil our chance of locating the ore?"

"Yes," said Agatha firmly. "I must run the risk."

Stormont got up. "Very well! I don't know if we'll be able to do
anything when you make your decision, but you can write to me. In the
meantime, I think you ought to promise that you won't negotiate with
anybody else."

"I will promise this," said Agatha and knitted her brows when he went
out.

She was half afraid she had been too prudent and let a good offer go by;
but although it might bring her trouble and disappointment, she would
sooner look for the ore herself. She had sometimes shrunk from the task,
but after all it was her duty. Then she could not ask George for advice.
He had never believed in the lode and would, no doubt, tell her she was
lucky to get an offer, and had better make the best bargain she could.
Farnam knew nothing about mining; he was absorbed in his orchard, and
Mabel now and then declared that his judgment was only worth trusting
about fruit trees.

Agatha paused and admitted that she had from the beginning meant to ask
Thirlwell. She could trust him; he was honest, but this was not all.
When he talked about important things he had a quiet, decided manner
that she liked. He would not be daunted by obstacles, and if her