And as he walked along, he wondered more than ever about the mysterious telegram and the mysterious conversation of the greasy Barnham in Denver.

That--as he saw it now--had been only an attempt at another trick.

Suppose that he had accepted; suppose that he had signified his willingness to sell his mine and accept the good offices of the "secret friend" to end his difficulties.

What would have been the result?
For once a ray of cheer came to him.

The Rodaines had known of this strike long before he ever went to that office in Denver.