ad
already told him where the lode was, and Driscoll meant to get rid of a
partner who would demand the largest share, must be rejected, since if
Strange had told him, Driscoll would have gone away to register the
claim. But he had not done so.

The thing was mysterious, and Thirlwell could see no light. He must wait
and watch for a hint, and in the meantime resolved to talk to Scott
about it. So far, he had rather avoided the subject of Strange's death,
but it might be better to abandon his reserve. He did not think he could
expect much help from Scott, but he was clever and Thirlwell had known
him to solve some awkward puzzles.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE HAND IN THE WATER

Scott lying among the pine-needles after work had stopped, lighted his
pipe and glanced at Thirlwell, who had been talking for some minutes.

"On the whole, it was lucky the smith had an iron hot," he said. "Black
Steve's a dangerous man and we know something about the _Metis_ temper.
Drummond, of course, is hardly a _Metis_, but he has a drop of Indian
blood that must be reckoned on. It's a remarkably virile strain."

"I was rather glad they quarreled. I'd been afraid Driscoll might learn
he knew something about the lode and persuade him to join the gang. I
wouldn't trust him far."

"You can trust his Indian instincts," Scott replied. "No doubt he's
greedy, but he hates Stormont, and I imagine he'd sooner punish the
fellow than find the silver." He paused, and looked thoughtful when he
went on: "The other matter's difficult; but, like Father Lucien, I don't
see what we can do. It's possible that Steve drowned his partner, or
anyhow, took advantage of an accident to let him drown; but we're not
detectives, and you can't move against a man without something besides
suspicion to go upon. Then we were under the cracking beam when he fixed
the prop that stopped the roof coming down."

"I suppose, if he's guilty, that oughtn't to count?"

"It's an awkward question," Scott replied. "However, we don't know if he
is guilty, and I don't see much chance of our finding out. But there's
something else. Miss Strange had the shock of hearing about her father's
sudden death, and it would not be kind to harrow her again."

"Certainly not," said Thirlwell, who felt annoyed because his comrade
had guessed his thoughts.

A week later, Thirlwell was walking down the tunnel when he saw one or
two of the men and Driscoll shoring up the roof. Drummond was he