but I caught the next New York
Cunarder and came on by Buffalo. I suppose you stopped a day or two in
Montreal, which explains how I've overtaken you."

"We were held up by ice off Newfoundland."

"Well," suggested Batley, "suppose we go into the smoking end of the car.
I dare say you'd like a talk and it's rather noisy here. Besides, the
cinders are a little too plentiful."

They went in and Batley, lounging in a seat, lighted a cigar and waited
with an amused expression for the other to begin. Gladwyne was intensely
uneasy. It had been a vast relief to be free from his companion, and the
last thing he desired was that Batley, who was a remarkably keen-witted
man, should go over the track of George's expedition in company with
Lisle.

"Now," he said, "I'd be glad if you would tell me exactly why you
followed me. The reason you gave didn't seem sufficient."

"Then my other object ought to be clear. You're carrying a good deal of
my money; I felt it would be wiser to keep an eye on you. As I said, I'd
had a stroke of luck that enabled me to get away."

"I suppose that means somebody has suffered!" Gladwyne, in his
bitterness, could not help the injudicious sneer.

"Oh, no," returned Batley good-humoredly. "In this case, I'd set a man on
his feet--it's now and then as profitable as pulling one down, and my
methods aren't always destructive. The fellow was straight and I'm
inclined to believe he was grateful. I don't think he could have found
anybody else to back him, but I'm not afraid of a risk." He paused and
smiled at his companion. "Sometimes I make mistakes; I did so with you."

Gladwyne flushed, but Batley proceeded:

"I may remind you that when I financed you I was led to believe that you
would succeed to a handsome property; not one that was stripped of its
working capital. I'll give you credit for misleading me rather cleverly.
All this is to the point, because it explains my watchful attitude.
You're the kind of man I prefer to keep in sight."

Disgust, humiliation and anger possessed Gladwyne, but he knew that he
was in his companion's hands, and he did not think that Batley had stated
all of his reasons yet. It was possible that he expected to discover
something in British Columbia that would strengthen his hold on his
victim.

"Well," he replied with an attempt at calmness, "we needn't quarrel,
since it looks as if we'd have to put up with each other for some time.
Have you finished what you have