"The claims, it seems," he continued, "had been originally worked by two men named Allen and Waymart McKenzie. They did the required work for three years, and then threw up their job and left Wyoming. Now they're back again, wishing, evidently, that they had never left." Ross nodded. His eyes had not left his father's face. "Weimer has felt from the first that he would make good on these claims. He has sent me quartz from time to time, and I've had it assayed. It carries moderately high values in gold, silver, and lead; but, as the camp is eighty miles from a railroad, up among almost impassable mountains, where it's impossible to get the quartz to a smelter, I confess I have paid but little attention to Weimer's work. It has seemed a waste of energy, despite his enthusiasm." Grant suddenly threw himself back in his chair. His manner took on a keener edge, and his tone became brisker. "But this year things bid fair to change there because the Burlington Railroad is surveying a line from Cody, and a boom is in prospect for next summer. Our claims have suddenly acquired a new importance; they promise to become valuable." "Then," commented Ross in a low, constrained tone, "Weimer will get beyond a 'start' at last." Grant regarded his son keenly. He did not answer the comment directly. "According to the law of Wyoming," he continued, "one hundred dollars' worth of work a year for five years must be done on a claim, or five hundred dollars' worth all together within five years, before the tract can be patented, by which I mean before the owners can receive a clear title to it. Now, Weimer has done four years' work all right; but this year, the fifth and last in which he can hold the claims without fulfilling the conditions of work to the full, he is failing because of snow-blindness. It seems he had an attack last spring, and was obliged to stay in his cabin for weeks at a time instead of working." Ross cleared his throat. "And if he fails----" "We lose the claims, and the McKenzies get them back." Grant again consulted the letter. "Weimer got a man named Steele to write this--an Amos Steele in Miners' Camp. He writes that the McKenzies are taking advantage of some technicalities in the law. They have already filed a claim on the tract based on their three years' former occupancy. This will clear the way for them to take possession in case Weimer fails with the work. Steele goes on to say that, if the claims are saved, some one must come out and look after them--preferably some one with a personal interest in the property." Mr. Grant laid the letter down, adding slowly, "If you go, I shall give you a substantial personal interest." There ensued a pause. Ross sat motionless. His gaze had left his father's face, and was fixed on the rug. "Now, knowing," Grant continued, "that Weimer has set his heart on these claims, I can't desert him. That work must be done and the claims patented."