The two men looked at each other keenly for a few moments in
silence.

"It suggests--" began Gregson.

"What?"

"That there may be a bigger scheme behind this affair than we
imagine. In fact, it suggests to me that the northerners are being
stirred up against you and your men for some other and more
powerful reason than to make you get out of the country and compel
the government to withdraw your license. So help me God, I believe
there's more behind it!"

"So do I," said Philip, quietly.

"Have you any suspicions of what might be the more powerful
motive?"

"None. I know that British capital is heavily interested in
mineral lands east of the surveyed line. But there is none at
Churchill. All operations have been carried on from Montreal and
Toronto."

"Have you written to Brokaw about this letter?"

"You are the first to whom I have revealed its contents," said
Philip. "I have neglected to tell you that Brokaw is so worked up
over the affair that he is joining me in the north. The Hudson's