admitted the man, with a whimsical gesture. "It was something
much more interesting--about the agitation some folks are trying to
whoop up against your partner."

Geoffrey found the information of so much interest that the steamer was
sweeping through the pine-shrouded Narrows which forms the gateway of
Vancouver's land-locked harbor when he returned to Millicent, with
English Jim following discreetly behind him.

"I am sorry that, as we are half-an-hour late, I shall barely have time
to keep an important business appointment," said Thurston. "However,
as the Sound boat does not sail immediately, my assistant, Mr. Gillow,
will be able to look after your baggage, and secure a good berth for
you. You will get hold of the purser, and see Mrs. Leslie is made
comfortable in every way before you follow me, Gillow. I shall not
want you for an hour or two."

Millicent smiled on the assistant, who took his place beside her, as
the steamer ran alongside the wharf, and his employer hurried away.
English Jim was a young, good-looking man of some education, and, since
his promotion from the cook-shed, had indulged himself in a former
weakness for tasteful apparel. He had also, though Thurston did not
notice it, absorbed just sufficient alcoholic stimulant to render him
vivacious in speech without betraying the reason for it, and Millicent,
who found him considerably more amusing than Geoffrey, wondered
whether, since she had failed with the one, she might not succeed with
the other. English Jim no more connected her with the servant of the
corporation whose interests were opposed to Savine's than he remembered
the brass baggage checks in his pocket. His gratified vanity blinded
him to everything besides the pleasure of being seen in his stylish
companion's company.

He found a sunny corner for her beside one of the big Sound steamer's
paddle casings, from which she could look across the blue waters of the
forest-girt inlet, brought up a chair and some English papers, and
after Millicent had chatted with him graciously, was willing to satisfy
her curiosity to the utmost when she said with a smile:

"You are a confidential assistant of Mr. Thurston's? He is an old
friend of mine, and knowing his energy, I dare say he works you very
hard."

"Hard is scarcely an adequate term, madam," answered English Jim.
"Nothing can tire my respected chief, and unfortunately, he expects us
all to equal him. He found me occupation--wr