THE PLUNGE Supper was over at the Farnam homestead and Agatha enjoyed the cool of the evening on the veranda with her hosts and George.

The school had closed for the holidays, and George had arrived as the meal from which they had just got up was served.

Although he had not stated his object yet, Agatha knew why he had come and shrank from the vigorous protest she expected him to make.

In the meantime, she had something else to think about and listened for the noise of wheels.
Farnam's hired man had driven across to the settlement in the afternoon and she wondered, rather anxiously, whether he would bring her a telegram.

She had written to Thirlwell, telling him when she would be ready to begin her search for the ore, and now waited his reply.