trail we have broken stops
here."

"But what do you mean to do?"

"Help Scott at the Clermont, until he's forced to give up."

"Sit down and light your pipe," said Agatha. "We must talk about this."

He obeyed and picked up his pipe. Although he did not light it, its
touch was soothing and he wanted to keep cool. Agatha sat down opposite
on a fallen trunk and presently went on: "To begin with, the mine must
be worked, not sold, and I need help."

"You can get a good manager for the wages you'll be able to pay."

Agatha's color was higher, but she gave him a steady look. "I want a man
I know and trust. There are many ways in which I shall need advice,
because I cannot take this fortune without its responsibility. The mine
must be worked to the best advantage and the people I employ treated
well. I mean to build good houses for them, not rude shacks, make it
possible for them to lead happy lives, and see they get the best, not
the worst, that our cities can send them when a settlement springs up."

"It's a fine ambition," Thirlwell remarked. "However, it will cost you
something, and you'll find some resistance from the people you want to
help; but if the ore's as good as we think, you'll be able to carry out
your plans."

"Do you think I could trust this work to a stranger? A man hired for
wages, who might have no sympathy with my aims?" Agatha asked. "Then, if
when I've done all I mean, I'm rich, somebody must help me to use the
money well." She turned her head for a moment, and then resumed: "Can't
you see that it's daunting to feel I may have to struggle alone with a
task I'm hardly fit for--to know I'll make mistakes?"

"There is your brother."

Agatha smiled.

"George would see I made prudent investments, and think I ought to be
satisfied with getting ten per cent." She gave Thirlwell a look that
made his heart beat. "I need help George cannot give, and know nobody
but you."

She stopped, for she could go no farther. It was for him to meet her
now, if he wanted, but for a moment or two he was silent and knitted his
brows. His brown face was resolute, but something in his eyes indicated
that resolution cost him much. Then he said, "You offer me the post of
manager?"

She turned her head, for it was difficult to preserve her calm. He was
dull in some respects, but it was scarcely possible that he was as dull
as he now pretended. Looking up with a forced smile, she said: "Yes, of
course. I want a manage