Stormont did so, shakily. "I suppose you had this thing fixed with him!"
"I had not. I came along by accident and it might have been better if I'd left you to Drummond and gone off again. It was rather for his sake than yours I butted in. Can you walk?"
Stormont said he thought he could, and Thirlwell indicated the bush. "Then get off and take the hint that it's prudent to leave the Agatha Mine alone."
When Stormont had gone, Thirlwell turned to Drummond, who was now standing up. "Are you hurt?"
"Not much. I don't mind if I am hurt, so long as Stormont is. But why in thunder did you come just then?"
"It's lucky I did," said Thirlwell dryly. "I think you saw he wanted to get that stone?"
"Sure; I meant to let him. Wanted him to fire the rock and begin the circus. Then, when he'd made me mad enough, I'd have finished it."
"It would have been awkward if he'd brought a pistol."
Drummond smiled. "He thought he had, but he'd forgot the thing. I'd been studying his clothes; blue shirt and thin overalls. There wasn't a bulge." Then he stooped and picked up a crumpled bill. "Five dollars; don't see much use in leaving money lying round."
He hesitated, and then putting the bill in his pocket, remarked: "Anyhow, he gave me the wad. Let's see if I can find another."