sed thing.' I've no idea what he
meant by that. I don't think he wants me as a partner, and I'll give
him no chance of it. I don't want now what I could have had when Fabian
left. That's all over, Junia."

"He meant something by it; he's a very able man," she replied gravely.
"He's a huge success."

"And women love success more than all else," he remarked a little
cynically.

"You're unjust, Carnac. Of course, women love success; but they'd not
sell their souls for it--not the real women--and you ought to know it."

"I ought to know it, I suppose," he answered, and he held her eyes
meaningly. He was about to say something vital, but Fabian and his wife
came.

Fabian said to him: "Don't be surprised if you get a bad reception here,
Carnac. It's the worst place on the river, and I've no influence over
the men--I don't believe Tarboe could have. They're a difficult lot.
There's Eugene Grandois, he's as bad as they make 'em. He's got a grudge
against us because of some act of father, and he may break out any time.
He's a labour leader too, and we must be vigilant."

Carnac nodded. He made no reply in words. They were nearing the little
dock, and men were coming to the point where the launch would stop.

"There's Grandois now!" said Fabian with a wry smile, for he had a real
fear of results. He had, however, no idea how skilfully Carnac
would handle the situation--yet he had heard much of his brother's
adaptability. He had no psychological sense, and Carnac had big
endowment of it. Yet Carnac was not demonstrative. It was his quiet way
that played his game for him. He never spoke, if being could do what
he wanted. He had the sense of physical speech with out words. He was a
bold adventurer, but his methods were those of the subtlest. If a motion
of the hand was sufficient, then let it go at that.

"You people after our votes never come any other time," sneeringly said
Eugene Grandois, as Carnac and Fabian landed. "It's only when you want
to use us."

"Would you rather I didn't come at all?" asked Carnac with a friendly
smile. "You can't have it both ways. If I came here any other time you'd
want to know why I didn't stay away, and I come now because it's good
you should know if I'm fit to represent you in Parliament."

"There's sense, my bonny boy," said an English-Canadian labourer
standing near. "What you got to say to that, little skeezicks?" he added
teasingly to Eugene Grandois.

"He ain't got more gifts t