"Miss Strange wouldn't agree."

"Very well. Suppose you locate the ore, she'll need advice and further
help. Now I know something about mining; I've paid pretty high for what
I've learned. I understand Miss Strange hasn't much money, and we might
save her some expensive mistakes. You see, I haven't much hope of
getting down to pay-dirt here."

Thirlwell pondered. He liked and trusted Scott, and the thought of being
able to offer Agatha the help she might need was attractive; but he
meant to be honest and exercised some self-control.

"It would pay you better to leave the thing alone. I feel pretty sure
the ore's a freak of Strange's imagination."

"It's possible," Scott agreed. "Go and see."

Thirlwell knocked out and filled his pipe; and then remarked with some
diffidence: "You stated that you didn't think you had enough capital to
keep the Clermont going long."

"I haven't enough," Scott said, smiling. "But I have some rich relations
who might finance me if I could show them a sure snap. I'd like to do
so, anyhow, because, after spending most all my money, I feel I've got
to make good."

"I can understand this. Why did you come up here in the beginning?"

"It's rather a long story and I reckon it starts with a canoe trip I