On the top of the cliff, near Mr. Lovell's cabin, Captain Slater, panting from his exertions, hoarse and perspiring, stopped a moment to get his breath. He again mopped his face with the huge red handkerchief, then, with a grunt, strode toward the partly open door, almost colliding with Mr. Lovell, who was about to step outside.
"Captain Slater!" said the lumberman, in surprise.
"It's me, fast enough. I most tumbled over myself a-gittin' here. Lovell—"
"Yes, captain!"
"I wants a word with ye; an' if ye've got a chair as won't break down, I'll plump myself where I kin rest a bit."
"Come in, come in!" responded Mr. Lovell, with a smile; "I'm mighty glad to have you pay me a visit. As neighbors, we don't see each other often enough."
"I didn't come here to spill no fine-soundin' words," growled the captain, ungraciously. "What I'se got ter say is a-comin' straight from the shoulder." He dropped heavily on a chair in the office, and puffed a moment, finally exclaiming:
"Lovell, is them boys goin' after a gold mine?"
The two men looked each other squarely in the eye.
"They are," answered Mr. Lovell, calmly; "I suspected from Colliver's actions that he knew something about it, and now I know."