ening
of his interest. Amidst much that he thought of as sterile chaff he
saw germs of truth, and had once or twice been led to the brink of a
startling discovery. There the elusive clue had failed him, though he
felt that strange secrets might be revealed some day.

After all, the books had served his purpose, as well as kept him from
brooding when he sat alone at nights while the icy wind howled round
his dwelling. He passed for a sage and something of a prophet with the
primitive Dubokars, his Indian friends regarded him as a medicine man,
and both had unknowingly made his search for the petroleum easier.
Then, contrary to his expectations, he had found speculators in London
willing to venture a few hundred pounds on his scheme, but the amount
was insufficient and the terms were exacting. It would pay him better
to get rid of his associates. He was growing old; it would be too late
to return to his former life unless he could do so soon, but he must
make a fair start with ample means. The man had no scruples and no
illusions; money well employed would buy him standing and friends.
People were charitable to a man who had something to offer them, and
the blot upon his name must be nearly forgotten.

First of all, however, the richest spot of the oil field must be found
and money enough raised to place him in a strong position when the
venture was put on the market. He had failed to extort any from
Challoner, but he might be more successful with his son. The man who
was weak enough to allow his cousin to suffer for his fault would no
doubt yield to judicious pressure. It was fortunate that Bertram
Challoner was coming to England, because he could be more easily
reached. This led Clarke to think of Blake, since he realized that
Challoner was right in pointing out that the man was his greatest
difficulty. If Blake maintained that the fault was his, nothing could
be done; it was therefore desirable that he should be kept out of the
way. There was another person to whom the same applied; Clarke had
preyed on Benson's weakness, but if the fellow had overcome it and
returned to farm industriously, his exploitation would be no longer
possible. On the other hand, if he failed to pay off his debts, Clarke
saw how he could with much advantage seize his possessions. Thus both
Blake and Benson were obstacles, and now they had ventured into the icy
North it would be better if they did not reappear.

Clarke refilled