“What does your father advise? What does he say?” “He wants to go on to the 500 foot level, Mr. Gilder, and says he will give his own half interest in Gray Rocks to Mr. Grim rather than let the work stop at the 400 foot level. Father believes that at the 500 foot level they will strike ore as rich as any that has been discovered on the Peacock, and it looks as if Mr. Grim thought the same way, else he would not be so willing to advance the money.” “Have you confidence in Mr. Grim?” asked Vance. “We have always distrusted him,” replied Louise, “but perhaps he is not so bad and mean as we have thought.” “And do you think,” asked Vance, “that ore will be discovered at the 500 foot level?” “I don’t know,” she replied, “but I hope so.” “Would it not be better,” urged Vance, “to give it all up and leave these wild mountains and return to civilization, so to speak, where your father could enjoy the remaining years of his life in peace and contentment?” His words were full of earnestness, and he spoke with great deliberation. “If such an opportunity should present itself,” said Louise, “I know my father would refuse it, for he is so high-spirited, and moreover, he believes that a little more work, and a little more time and expense on Gray Rocks, and his prophecy will be fulfilled.” Vance rose to go, but still lingered near the beautiful [182] girl, as if she were a balm to his evident disappointment. Finally he said: “You say it will require $6,000. Now, if you had $6,000, Miss Louise, and it was every dollar you had in the world, what would you do with it?” “I would sink the shaft on Gray Rocks to the 500 foot level,” she replied quickly. “Shall I tell my father,” she asked, as Vance started to go, “that you are favorable to Mr. Grim’s proposition?” “No,” replied Vance, doggedly, “I have no confidence in Rufus Grim. You may tell your father that I say not to worry any more. With your permission, I will return in a couple of hours, and will then be glad to see him.” Louise seemed ignorant of any knowledge of Vance’s passionate love for her. Her mind and thoughts were so entirely in sympathy with her father, whom she loved so dearly and so devotedly. As Vance bade her good-bye, she took his outstretched hand as if he had been her benefactor, instead of only her father’s friend. “Your judgment,” said Vance, “has decided me; we will go on blasting—down, down, down—through solid rock toward an unknown doom. How it will end remains to be seen.” Before Louise could make a reply, he had turned and walked rapidly away toward his hotel.