“No; the Hayes runs too flat.  Either on the upper Shamattawa, or on Gods River, which lies between the two, an’ flows into the Shamattawa.  There’s plenty of water in either one, an’ I think both or ’em have got fall enough.  I want the mill where it will be easy to get the wood to it, an’ at the same time, where we’ll have a good head of water—­an’ it’s got to be done quick.  The options expire the first of August, an’ I’ve nosed around an’ found out there’s no chance to renew ’em on decent terms.  When you get the mill located, then you’ve got to slip down the river an’ find out what kind of scows we’ll need, an’ lay out a road to the new Hudson Bay Railway that’s headed for Port Nelson.  We’ll haul in the material an’ save time.  An’ when you’ve finished that, you can make a survey of the pulpwood available outside our present holdin’s.”

“Quite a job, take it all in all.”

“Yes—­an’ takin’ it all in all, it’ll take quite a man to fill it,” retorted McNabb brusquely.  “The man that puts this through won’t never need to hunt another job, because this is only the beginnin’ of the pulpwood game for me——­” The telephone on the desk rang, and after a moment’s conversation, McNabb arose and tossed the packet of papers into Wentworth’s lap.  “I’ve got to step out for a matter of ten or fifteen minutes,” he said.  “Here’s the papers, an’ a map of the country.  Look ’em over, an’ if you care to tackle it, let me know when I come back.”

Alone in the office, Wentworth studied the map fully five minutes; then he read over the option contract.  Suddenly, he straightened in his chair, and read the last clause of the contract carefully: 

Be it further agreed that if the said John McNabb, or his authorized representative, does not demand fulfillment of the terms of this agreement, and accompany the said demand by tender of at least ten percent of the purchase price named herein, on or before noon of the first day of July, nineteen hundred and twenty-one, this agreement shall automatically become null and void in its entirety.

Be it further agreed between the said John McNabb, and the said Canadian Wild Lands Company, Ltd., that aforementioned demand and tender of payment shall be made at and in the store of that trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company, situated upon the north shore of Gods Lake, and known as Gods Lake Post.

Swiftly Wentworth stepped to the desk and, lifting the receiver from its hook, called a number.  “Hello!  Wolverine Bank?  I want to speak with Mr. Orcutt.  Hello, Mr. Orcutt?  This is Wentworth—­No, I don’t want any money.  Listen, I must see you at once.  I’m on the trail of something big, and I need you to help swing it.  There’s a million in it—­can’t say more now.  What?  One o’clock at the bank?  Right, I’ll be there.  Good-by.”

A few moments later McNabb entered the office.  “Well, did you look the proposition over?  Ye see by the map how we can get the paper to the Bay.  What d’ye say?  Take it, or leave it?”