"There is certainly a little good ore in it," he said, drily.
"That is about all you mean to tell me?"
"It is about all I know definitely."
The stranger smiled curiously. "Well," he said, "I'm not going to worry you, and I guess I know a little more."
Brooke changed the topic, and listened with growing interest, and a little astonishment, to his companion as they drove on. The man seemed acquainted with everything he could mention, including the sentiments of the insular English and the economics as well as the history of their country. He was even more astonished when, as they alighted before the little log hotel at the pine-shrouded settlement, the host greeted the stranger.
"You'll be Mr. Devine who wrote me about the room and a saddle horse?" he said.
"Yes," said the other man, who glanced at Brooke with a little whimsical smile, "you have addressed me quite correctly."
Brooke said nothing, for he realized then something of the nature of the task he and Saxton had undertaken, while it was painfully evident that he had done very little to further his cause at the first encounter. He also found the little gleam in Devine's eyes almost exasperating, and turned to the hotel-keeper to conceal the fact.
"Has the freighter come through?" he said.
"No," said the man. "Bob, who has just come in, said he'd a big load and we needn't expect him until to-morrow."