“Well,” he said, “we’ll follow their trail.”

The party had obviously left the water for a time, because their track led away from the creek in the valley and the bush was too thick to permit the portaging of canoes.  Thirlwell followed the trail until he satisfied himself that they were going east, and then went back to his camp.  Finding Agatha at the water’s edge he sat down opposite.

“I’m afraid you didn’t get much breakfast, but I didn’t want the fire lighted,” he said, and told her what he had seen.

“Ah!” she cried.  “Do you think Stormont is looking for the ore?”

“I think so; I’m not certain.”

“But he failed to find it once and nearly starved.”

Thirlwell smiled.  “I understand the fellow’s obstinate.  He may have got a fresh clue or found out something we don’t know.”

“Do you think he has been following us?”

“I don’t.  If he’d known we were in the neighborhood, he would not have lighted a fire.”

“After all,” said Agatha thoughtfully, “my father stated that he had staked the claim.”

“I’m afraid that doesn’t count for much.  You’re not recognized as prospective owner until your record’s filed.  I imagine your father’s statement would carry some weight, but going to law about a mine is generally an expensive job, and it’s hard to put up a good fight against a man with capital.”

“Then what are you going to do about it?” Agatha asked anxiously.

“Get away from here at once, and as far as possible keep to the lakes; water carries no trail.  Then Stormont has decided a point that has been bothering me—­since he’s gone east, we must go north or west.”

“Yes.  Unless it’s possible that his clue is better than ours.”

“I thought about that,” Thirlwell replied.  “We don’t know if he has a clue, but we’ll stick to ours and take the risk.  Your father’s directions are plain enough if we can find the first of his landmarks.”

“Then go west,” said Agatha.  “I imagine the creek is on this side of the range.”

Thirlwell got up and went to see the canoes launched, but he wondered whether Agatha remembered that there were only two or three days of the fortnight left.  He thought she did remember, but he resolved that they would not turn back.

Soon after they started, a fresh breeze sprang up from the north-west and the shadows of flying clouds sped across the lake.  The sky between the clouds was a curious vivid blue, the light was strong, and the woods along the bank flashed into bright color and faded to somber green as the gleams of sunshine passed.  For a few minutes, trunks and branches stood out, sharply distinct, and then melted suddenly into their background.  By degrees the ripples that lined the lake got larger; there was an angry splashing at the bows of the canoes, and little showers of spray began to fly.

“This clearness means the wind will hold and it’s right ahead,” Thirlwell said to Agatha, “We haven’t had much luck of late!”