Marjorie guessed what had happened. When Blackthorn Farm was reached, she knew. But instead of feeling grateful or elated, disgust seized her. Within a few hundred yards of the farm, hideous corrugated iron buildings had sprung up; the land all around the tin mine had been cleared and levelled. Plant was being erected; scattered here and there were temporary dwellings, and offices for the workmen; a miniature railway line had already been laid on the ancient granite track. Tears rose to her eyes as she looked at the desecration that had been done to her moorlands and her home. "Whose work is this?" she asked. "Mr. Despard’s, of course! I suppose Sir Reginald gave permission——" Dale explained all that had happened, and the generous part Despard had played. "I owe him a debt I can never repay. Ruin stared us in the face, Marjorie, and through him it has been averted. When—when my boy comes out of prison—though I hope I shall not live to see that day—he will at least have the chance of living a decent life, of wiping out the crime he committed, and becoming a useful citizen. He will have the opportunity, for he will be a rich man. God grant that he takes it." Marjorie shook her head. "Mr. Despard is a stranger to us. It’s unlike you, father, to accept so much from a stranger. What does Mr. Despard expect in return?" The old man turned away. "Nothing. Of course he’ll share in our good fortune. He’ll take the larger share of whatever money we make. I have insisted on that. A company will be floated—it’s in the course of promotion already. It’s a gamble, to a certain extent. I believe there’s a deal of opposition; there are men who scoff at the idea of traces of radium having been discovered here. Other eminent men have made exhaustive tests, and their report leads us to believe there is no doubt that we shall be able to extract radium from the mine. But I’ve refused to take a single penny in cash; I’m to be paid entirely in shares." "And how is Mr. Despard to be paid?" "I don’t believe he has thought of himself," Dale replied. "He’ll join the board of directors, of course, and I suppose he’ll receive a certain number of shares. He’ll become a very famous man, Marjorie. I’ve seen a lot of him during the past few months, and my respect has grown daily. He has thrown himself heart and soul into this business. At first every one scoffed at him, but lately a change has taken place in public opinion here. Even Sir Reginald is converted. Can’t you guess why Mr. Despard has worked so hard and been so generous? I’m sure his love for you, born originally of pity, has been the motive." "Then I’m sorry," Marjorie said quickly. "Even if I were not engaged to Jim I could never care for Mr. Despard. I dislike and distrust him. The sooner he realises this the better."