"I came here on a very wicked pack-horse--one that kicked, and on two occasions came very near falling down a gorge with me. I am now building a flume for the Canopus mine--if you know what that is." Barbara laughed. "I fancy I know rather more about flumes than you did a little while ago. At least, I have reason to believe so, from what a mining foreman told me this afternoon. He, however, expressed unqualified approval, as well as a little astonishment, at the progress you had made. You see, I happened to observe what took place before the shot was fired a few hours ago." "Then you witnessed an entirely unwarranted piece of folly." A curious little gleam crept into Barbara's eyes, but she smiled. "You could have cut those fuses, and relighted them afterwards, but, since you did not remember it, I don't think that counts. What made you take the risk?" "Well," said Brooke, reflectively, "after worrying over the probable line of cleavage of that troublesome rock, it seemed to me that if I wished to split it, I must explode three charges of giant powder in certain places simultaneously. Now, if you examine what you might call the texture of a rock, though, of course, a really crystalline body----" Barbara made a little gesture of impatience. "That is not in the least what I mean--as I fancy you are quite aware." "Then," said Brooke, with a faint twinkle in his eyes, "I'm afraid I don't quite understand the moral causes of the proceeding myself, though I have heard my comrade describe one quality which may have had something to do with it as mulishness. It was, of course, reprehensible of me to be led away by it, especially as when I took the contract I really didn't care if the flume was never built." "And now you mean to finish it if it ruins you?" "No," said Brooke, "I really don't think I do. In fact, I hope to make a good many dollars out of it, directly or indirectly." He had spoken without reflection, and was sensible of a most unpleasant embarrassment when the girl glanced at him sharply, which she did not fail to notice. "Building flumes is evidently more profitable than I thought it was," she said. "Still, you will no doubt make most of those dollars--indirectly?" Brooke decided that it was advisable to change the subject. "I have," he said, "answered--your--question." "Then I will do the same. I came here, because one can see the sunset on the snow from this ridge, most prosaically on my feet." "But from where?" and Brooke's voice was almost sharp. "From the old ranch house in the valley, of course!" Brooke made an effort to retain his serenity, but his face grew a trifle grim, and he looked at the girl curiously, with his lips tight set. Then he made a little gesture. "But that is where Devine lives when he comes here. It's preposterous!" he said.