“Sure you didn’t.  You haven’t had to handle our stuff on the market.”  The man laughed.  And something of his seriousness passed.  “But you’re a bright kid.  And the Skandinavia’s looking for bright kids all the time.  It needs ’em to counter a doped Board.  It’s taken you five minutes to locate a trouble the Board’s taken years to realise.  And you’ve been talking one of the bunch of decisions we’ve taken.  I mean quitting the Shagaunty.  We didn’t have your argument, but we had the ‘drop.’  So the decision was taken.  We’ve got to move like hell.  Sachigo has our measure, and it’s going to be a big fight.  How’d you fancy a trip up country?  I mean up the Shagaunty?”

There was a change in the man’s voice and manner as he put his demand.  He was leaning forward in his chair.  A hot light had suddenly leapt into his eyes, which left them shining unwholesomely.  Nancy was startled at his words.  And his attitude shocked her not a little out of her self-satisfaction.

“I don’t know—.  How do you mean?” she demanded awkwardly.

The man realised her astonishment and laughed.  Then he reached out, and his hand patted the rounded shoulder nearest him.  It was a touch that lingered unnecessarily, and the girl stirred restlessly under it.

“Why, it’s the chance of a life—­for you,” he said boisterously.  “You’ll go right up through the camps.  You’ll take your notions with you and investigate.  I’ll hand you a written commission, and the folk’ll lay their ‘hands’ down for you to see.  When you’ve seen it all you’ll get right back here, and I’ll set you before the Board to tell your story.  I don’t need to tell a bright girl like you what that means to you.  You’ll get one dandy summer trip, and I’ll lose one dandy secretary.  But I’m not kicking.  No.  You see, Nancy, I’m out to help you all you need.  Well?”

It was crude, clumsy.  It was all so blatantly vulgar.  It was not the thing he said.  It was the manner of it and all that which was lying unspoken behind.

For the first time Nancy experienced a curious uncertainty in dealing with him.  But here was real opportunity.  She had dreamed of such.  And she must take it.  The touch of the man’s hand upon her shoulder had disturbed her.  But she smiled her gratitude at him.

“It’s too good,” she exclaimed, with apparent impulse.  “It’s just too good of you.  Will I go?  Why, yes.  Surely.  And I’ll make good for you.  I believe it’s the best thing.  Someone to go who’ll bring back a dead right story.  I’d be real glad.”

“That’s bully!” The man beamed as he leant back in his chair more than satisfied with himself.  “But I don’t fancy losing my dandy secretary,” he went on.  “No, sir.  I’m going to hate this summer bad.  I surely am.  Still, there’s next winter.  Winter’s not too bad with us.  And a feller needs consolation in winter.  There’s theatres, and ice parties, and dances, and things.  And I guess when the Board’s fixed a big jump up for you, you’ll feel like getting around some.  Well, I’m mostly vacant.  A feller can’t live all the time at home with his wife and kids.  I guess I could show you Quebec at night better than most—­”