"I don't mind admitting that I heard a little," he said. "Those land-agency fellows have a good deal to account for. You're not exactly struck on Devine?"
"No," said Brooke, drily. "I have no particular cause to be. Still, that really does not concern everybody."
"Beat him out of six thousand dollars!" said one of his companions.
The stranger laughed a little. "He has done me out of a good many more, but one has to take his chances in this country. You are working at the Tomlinson mill?"
"No," said Brooke. "I was turned out to-day."
"Got no notion where to strike next?"
"No."
The stranger, who did not seem at all repulsed by his abruptness, looked at him reflectively.
"I heard they were wanting survey packers up at the Johnston Lake in the bush," he said. "A Government man's starting to run the line through to the big range Thursday. If you took him this card up he might put you on."
Brooke took the card, and a little tinge of color crept into his face.