s, you're leaving something out; I don't mean the nerve-cells, but
the inner personality, whatever it is, that commands them."

"I'm trying to show that, as a mechanical structure, he is capable of
moving his own weight and so much extra a limited distance in a given
time, so long as he can secure the necessary food and sleep. Neither the
weight nor the distance can be increased except by an effort which, if
continued, will soon reduce them below their former level."

Bella laughed.

"Yes," she said, "that's how you reason--mechanically. We're different."

"I'll take quite another line," Nasmyth interposed. "Lisle's traversing a
country new to him; he can't tell what rapids, ranges, or thick timber
may cause delay. No amount of determination will enable one, for
instance, to knock more than a few minutes off the time needed to carry a
canoe round a portage, nor by any effort can one cross a range as quickly
as one can walk up a valley. Isn't that clear, Millicent?"

There was a smile in the girl's eyes.

"Yes," she replied, "but, all the same, Lisle's supper's waiting."

"Such confidence makes one jealous," grumbled Carew. "Lisle, whom I
haven't met, is evidently a man who keeps his promise. That means a good
deal."

"A very great deal," Bella assured him. "Since one's bound to meet with
difficulties one can't foresee, it proves that one man has resource,
resolution, and many other eminently useful qualities; but all this is
getting too serious. I'd better point out that Lisle hasn't even promised
to meet us here at any particular time." She paused and laughed
mischievously. "Millicent merely sent for him, mentioning to-morrow as
the day she would like to start."

A little color crept into Millicent's face, but Bella went on:

"She called and I haven't the least doubt that our guide set out, over
ranges, up rapids, across wide lakes. One can't imagine that man taking
it easily, and there's the obvious fact that Jim will have to keep up
with him. He will find it hard, but I dare say it will do him good."

Nasmyth laughed and strolled away with Carew. The sunset green grew
dimmer behind the hills and a pale half-moon appeared above the shadowy
woods. It was very still, except for the lapping of the water upon the
stones.

Bella leaned back lazily in her chair.

"This is delightful," she exclaimed. "Didn't Clarence want to come?"

The unexpectedness of the question startled Millicent into answering:

"He d