"Then I suppose the bonds could be bought for a song."
"No doubt. Why? Are you going into railroad speculation?"
"I may," she said thoughtfully, looking out over the sea, and letting the quiet of the afternoon envelop them a moment. "If"—She watched a white sail disappear over the horizon's rim, before she completed her sentence. "If I only had a hold over uncle Jacob, I'd make my fortune; but I haven't."
"How?" Breck asked.
"Never mind, I haven't, so n'importe. If there's an opening, I'll tell you. What was it you had to tell me, by the way?"
"I want help," he answered; "but I don't see how you can help me. You have had some clever ideas, though, before now."
"Thanks!" she returned, turning the rings upon her white fingers. "Say on."
"It is about that Smithers woman."
"Who is she?"