He was my hero." Thirlwell made a vague gesture.

He had seen Strange, half drunk, reeling along the trail to the mine, but this did not lessen his sympathy for the girl.

He hoped she had taken his sign to imply that he was willing to listen.
"To begin with, do you believe in the silver lode ?" she asked.
"One disbelieves in nothing up yonder," Thirlwell tactfully replied.
"It's a country of surprises; you don't know what you may find.
Besides, there is some silver--I'm now sinking a shaft--" Agatha smiled and he saw she had the gift of humor.

The smile softened her firm lips and lighted her eyes.
"I imagine you are cautious.

In fact, you are rather like the picture I made of you after reading your letters." Thirlwell felt embarrassed and said nothing, as was his prudent rule when his thoughts were not clear.
"My father found the ore many years since, when he was employed by the Hudson's Bay Company," she resumed.