Thirlwell said nothing for a minute or two; he saw that she was resolute and was moved by her staunch loyalty.  After all, Strange’s story was not uncommon; Thirlwell had known men leave work and home to follow an elusive clue to mineral treasure in the barren solitudes.  Some had come back broken in fortune and courage, and some had not come back at all.  Then while he mused the harsh cry of the loon rang through the dark.  It fired his blood, and unconsciously he fixed his eyes on the North, for in summer the birds of the lakes and rivers push on towards the Pole.  He had done his duty and tried to persuade the girl, but after all she was stronger and finer than Strange.  It was possible that she might succeed, and he could help.

“When you go I hope you will let me come,” he said.  “We have the tools and outfit one needs for prospecting at the mine, and I could get the packers and canoes.”

“But you don’t believe I shall find the lode.  Why do you want to come?”

“I know the bush,” Thirlwell answered with a smile.  “So far I’ve been prudent and stuck to my job, but I’ve felt the pull of the lone trail like other men.  In fact, I’d rather like to do something rash, for a change.”

“Have you never done anything rash?”

“Only once, I think.  It needed all my pluck; but the curious thing is that it’s now turning out better than I hoped.”

Agatha pondered and then looked up.  “It would be an advantage to have somebody I could trust to look after the packers and canoes; but the journey must be made at my cost.  I couldn’t let another undertake my duty.”

“Then I may come?  It’s a promise?”

“Yes,” said Agatha quietly; “when I am ready I will let you know.  Now, however, we must get back to the hotel.”

Thirlwell dipped the paddle, the canoe lurched, and her bow rose at his next vigorous stroke.  The ripples she threw off widened into a fan-shaped wake that trailed away and was lost in a glitter of moonlight.  The black pines on the point rose higher, resinous smells came out of the dark, and presently a row of lights twinkled ahead.  Thirlwell ran the canoe alongside the landing and when they reached the veranda Agatha gave him her hand.

“You start early, I think,” she said.  “I have much to thank you for and am glad we have met.”

He let her go and afterwards leaned against the rails.  She had made him a promise and when they next met it would be beside a river of the North.  But this was twelve months ahead; he felt it was a long time to wait.

CHAPTER IV

STRANGE’S PARTNER

The day’s work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.  Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.  For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.