They were silent for a few minutes, and then Scott resumed:  “I understand Miss Strange means to look for the vein next summer and you are going.  Why is that, since you don’t believe her father’s tale?”

“She’s resolved to go and I can help.  When she’s persuaded the ore can’t be found she’ll be content to give the notion up.  I don’t want the thing to occupy her thoughts until it becomes a kind of mania, as it did with Strange.”

“I imagine she’s an attractive girl.”

“She is attractive; but that has nothing to do with it,” Thirlwell replied with a frown.  “I’m not in love with Miss Strange.  To begin with, I can’t support a wife, and marriage hasn’t much charm for me.  Then I think she’s clever enough to make her mark, and will stick to her occupation until she does, if she gets rid of this foolish notion of looking for the ore.”

“I see,” said Scott, with some dryness.  “You feel sorry for the girl and want to save her from getting like Strange?  Well, it’s a chivalrous object; but there’s a thing you don’t seem to have thought of yet.  Prospecting a big belt of country is a long job, and if you’re away much of the summer, how are you going to keep your engagement with me?”

“I have thought of it,” Thirlwell replied.  “It’s awkward—­”

Scott smiled at his embarrassment.  “Well, I’ll let you go.  In fact, I don’t mind taking a stake in the expedition, in the way of food and tools.”

“Miss Strange wouldn’t agree.”

“Very well.  Suppose you locate the ore, she’ll need advice and further help.  Now I know something about mining; I’ve paid pretty high for what I’ve learned.  I understand Miss Strange hasn’t much money, and we might save her some expensive mistakes.  You see, I haven’t much hope of getting down to pay-dirt here.”

Thirlwell pondered.  He liked and trusted Scott, and the thought of being able to offer Agatha the help she might need was attractive; but he meant to be honest and exercised some self-control.

“It would pay you better to leave the thing alone.  I feel pretty sure the ore’s a freak of Strange’s imagination.”

“It’s possible,” Scott agreed.  “Go and see.”

Thirlwell knocked out and filled his pipe; and then remarked with some diffidence:  “You stated that you didn’t think you had enough capital to keep the Clermont going long.”

“I haven’t enough,” Scott said, smiling.  “But I have some rich relations who might finance me if I could show them a sure snap.  I’d like to do so, anyhow, because, after spending most all my money, I feel I’ve got to make good.”

“I can understand this.  Why did you come up here in the beginning?”