Grant did as requested, and, elated by his unexpected good luck, started on his return to Howe’s Gulch.
When Grant reached the cabin jointly occupied by himself and Tom Cooper, he found Tom sitting outside, smoking his pipe.
He looked very thoughtful.
“Have you got rid of your headache, Grant?” he asked.
“Yes; I feel as lively as a cricket.”
“Then your walk has done you good?”
“A great deal of good,” answered Grant; but Tom did not detect the significance hidden in the reply. “How long have you been at home?”
“An hour.”
“Then you knocked off work earlier than usual.”
“Yes,” answered Tom soberly. “To tell the truth, Grant, I’m discouraged. How much do you think our day’s work amounts to?”