getting rich. But that wouldn't have helped much; I couldn't get rid
of the duty."

"You have pluck. For all that, I think you're indulging a rather
exaggerated sentiment. Anyhow, it's hard to imagine you have had many
doubts since we left the mine."

"I've had none. When you found the tobacco-box I knew I would succeed.
There was something strangely significant about your finding it."

"I happened to look in the right place," said Thirlwell, dryly.

Agatha laughed. "You take a very matter-of-fact view."

"Perhaps so," Thirlwell agreed. "If I were steeped in sentiment, it
wouldn't help me drive the canoe faster against a head-wind or carry a
heavier load across a portage. That's a purely mechanical proposition.
In the meantime, we're slowing up and will soon begin to drift astern."

"Then paddle," said Agatha, smiling. "After all, you're much more of a
sentimentalist than I think you know."

Thirlwell bent over his paddle and the canoe forged ahead, but the
breeze freshened, and the ripples changed to crested waves. Agatha's
face was wet, her slicker dripped, and the men breathed hard between the
strokes. They labored on, and at noon ran the canoes aground in the lee
of a rocky island. Thirlwell ordered the _Metis_ to use nothing but dry
driftwood, which makes little smoke, for the fire, and when they rested
after a meal found Drummond sitting alone outside the camp. He looked
moody and his eyes were fixed on the height of land.

"Feeling bothered about something?" Thirlwell asked.

"Yes," said Drummond. "I'm trying to get back all the old man told me
about Strange's tale. He only talked about it once, when he was sick.
Looks as if he hadn't thought the lode a business proposition, and I
didn't _then_. Besides, I was anxious and didn't listen much. Part of it
came back afterwards, but not all. There's something I can't get."

"That's unlucky," Thirlwell remarked in a dry tone. "We need a hint."

"I reckoned I'd get it when I saw the country," Drummond went on. "I
allow we're not far enough yet."

Thirlwell made a sign of disagreement. "Strange said the creek ran south
and then turned east. I imagine there isn't another neighborhood where
that's likely to happen. If we cross the divide, I expect we'll find the
water running north."

"Well," said Drummond moodily, "you'd better leave me alone. There's
something--if I'm quiet, I may get what I'm feeling for." He knitted his
brows and a curious fixed look came