sighed as she
answered:

"I do not think you will be beaten, Geoffrey, but if you will take
advice from me, remember that over-confidence in your powers and the
pride that goes with it may cost you many a minor victory. Good-by,
and good luck, Geoffrey. You will remember me."

That afternoon, while Thurston was in the midst of preparations to
leave his native land, the mining engineer called upon him with a
provincial newspaper in his hand. "I suppose this is your answer," he
remarked, laying his finger on a paragraph.

"Mr. G. Thurston, who has, in the face of many difficulties, attempted
to exploit the copper vein in Crosbie Fell, has been compelled to close
the mine," the printed lines ran. "We understand he came upon an
unexpected break in the strata, coupled with a subsidence which
practically precludes the possibility of following the lost lead with
any hope of commercial success. He has, therefore, placed his affairs
in the hands of Messrs. Lonsdale & Routh, solicitors, and, we
understand, intends emigrating. His many friends and former employees
wish him success."

"Yes," Geoffrey answered dryly, "I sent them the information, also a
copy to London financial papers. Considering the interest displayed
just now in British mines, they should insert a paragraph. I've staked
down your backers' game in return for your threats, and you may be
thankful you have come off so easily. Your check is ready. It is the
last you will ever get from me."

The expert smiled almost good-naturedly. "You needn't have taken so
much trouble, Thurston," he said. "The exploitation of your rabbit
burrow would only have been another drop in the bucket to my
correspondents, and it's almost a pity we can't be friends, for, with
some training, your sledge-hammer style would make its mark in the
ring."

"Thanks!" replied Geoffrey. "I'm not fishing for compliments, and it's
probably no use explaining my motives--you wouldn't understand them.
Still, in future, don't set down every man commonly honest as an
uncommon fool. If I ever had much money, which is hardly likely, I
should fight extremely shy of any investments recommended by your
friends!"

CHAPTER III

GEOFFREY'S FIRST CONTRACT

It was springtime among the mountains which, glistening coldly white
with mantles of eternal snow, towered above the deep-sunk valley, when,
one morning, Geoffrey Thurston limped painfully out of a redwood forest
of British Col