Somasco products were becoming known, and men had been toiling in the
valley, driving roads, and building a new sawmill in the frost and
snow. Part of Alton's business in the city was to raise the money that
was needed to maintain them, and already he could foresee that if the
time of prosperity was delayed it might go hardly with the Somasco
Company.

He had laid down the frying-pan and was shaking a pot of strong green
tea when there was a tapping at the door, which opened while he
wondered whether there would be time for him to alter his attire. Then
he stood up with the teapot in his hand, and made a little whimsical
gesture of dismay as Miss Townshead stood before him. She coloured a
trifle, but took courage at Alton's soft laugh, for it was clear that
he was as yet only concerned about the plight in which she had found
him. Alton, she remembered, had not been brought up conventionally in
England, and she knew his wholesome simplicity.

"I'm very glad to see you, but if I'd known who was there I'd have
fixed the place up before you got in," he said. "Sit right down beside
the stove."

Nellie Townshead stood still a moment, but she was tired and the night
was cold, so she took the chair he drew forward, and then shook her
head as he laid a cup before her.

"It's Horton's tea, and bad at that, but it will help us to fancy
ourselves back in the bush," he said. "Your father is keeping all
right?"

The girl made a little gesture of impatience. "Yes," she said. "I am
almost afraid I am doing wrong, but I felt I must warn you. Now don't
ask me any questions, but take it as a fact that Hallam has sent up
somebody to locate your silver as soon as it can be done. He seems to
consider he has you at a disadvantage because you have not put in your
legal improvements."

Alton thrust his chair back and clenched one hand, while the girl
noticed with relief that he had almost forgotten her.

"Hallam," he said, and stopped a moment, while his voice was harsh as
he continued, "going to restake my claim. Well, there is time still in
hand and he can't do it yet. Now----"

The girl stopped him with a gesture. "You must ask me nothing," she
said. "You can understand what I told you?"

A slow glow crept into Alton's eyes. "Oh, yes, it's all quite plain,"
he said. "When you find a mineral claim you have got to record it in
fifteen days, or it goes back to the Crown, and I couldn't do that, you
see, because I w