“Half a day was all I asked, with the men and teams; but I am not going to have it. They have quit on me.” “A strike? What was the trouble? Weren’t you paying them enough?” “It wasn’t a question of more money. They seemed to think that I ought to speak softly and say ‘mister’ and ‘please’ when I wanted them to get a move.” Carfax laughed and turned to his companion in the other half of the driving-seat. “He puts it rather--er--diplomatically, don’t you think?” he confided to the young woman. “Really, you know, his language has come to be something frightful!” Then to the diplomat: “What are you going to do?” Tregarvon ignored Carfax’s companion, and the derisive confidence to which she had made no reply. “If I had the nerve, I suppose I might kill another week dragging the thing through the wood by half-inches with a block and tackle and man-power,” he offered. “Dear me! And in the meantime the enemy--whoever he is--will be storing up ammunition and getting ready to efface you once more.” Tregarvon turned away. “I don’t believe I shall give ‘the enemy’ another chance at me. Will you be down to dinner?” “Oh, hold on; don’t go off in a huff that way!” Carfax protested in mock concern. “We have had our little joy-ride, and I was just taking Miss Richardia home. Wait a minute and tell us how you are going to block ‘the enemy’s’ game.” Tregarvon was still ignoring Miss Birrell. “Thaxter sent me a note this morning. Consolidated Coal is ready to do business with us.” “With you, you mean; I am only a good-natured bystander. What does Mr. Thaxter say?” For the first time in the brisk exchange of question and answer, Tregarvon took the silent member of the trio into consideration. “All this doesn’t interest Miss Richardia. I can talk the business matter over with you later on.” If the music teacher had been keeping a vow of silence she broke it now with a little laugh. “I am interested,” she assured him; adding: “I hope you feel better, now that you have made me say it in so many words.” Tregarvon let the small gibe go without retort. “The offer of a hundred thousand for the Ocoee properties has been renewed in my behalf, Thaxter tells me; but if I wish to avail myself of it, I must accept immediately.” “What is the keen rush?” Carfax inquired. “It is explained reasonably enough. The C. C. & I. people are preparing to open other veins on their Whitlow lands to the north of the present mine. These plans are being held up, pending my decision. If I sell out to them, they will probably abandon these plans for the present; opening, instead, the south vein--the one Thaxter told us about--and using our tramway and coke-ovens.”