He saw Crestwick's look and understood what was in the lad's mind. It was incomprehensible to the latter that a man should boldly confess his ignorance of a game of high repute. Batley, however, seeing that the intruder intended to remain, returned to the attack, and though he spoke in a lower voice Lisle caught part of his remarks and decided that he was cleverly playing upon Crestwick's raw belief in himself. This roused the Canadian to indignation, though it was directed against Gladwyne rather than his companion. Batley, he thought, was to some extent an adventurer, one engaged in a hazardous business at which he could not always win, and he had some desirable qualities--good-humor, liberality, coolness and daring. The well-bred gentleman who served as his decoy, however, possessed none of these redeeming characteristics. His part was merely despicable; there was only meanness beneath his polished exterior. "It certainly looks promising," Lisle heard Crestwick say; "you have pretty well convinced me that it can't go wrong." "I can't see any serious risk," declared Batley. "That, in the case of mining stock, is as far as I'd care to go. On the other hand, there's every prospect of a surprising change in the value of the shares as soon as the results of the first reduction of ore come out. I can only add that I'm a holder and I got you the offer of the shares as a favor from a friend who's behind the scenes. Don't take them unless you feel inclined." This was a slip, as Lisle recognized. It is not in human nature to dispose of a commodity that will shortly increase in value. Crestwick, however, obviously failed to notice this; Lisle thought the idea of getting on to the inside track appealed to his vanity. "It's a curious name they've given the mine," commented the lad, repeating it. "What does it mean?" Lisle started, for he recognized the name, and it offered him a lead. Strolling toward the group, he leaned against the table. "I can tell you that," he said. "It's an Indian word for a river gorge. I went up it not long ago." "Then," exclaimed Crestwick, "I suppose you know the mine?" Lisle glanced at the others. Their eyes were fixed upon him, Batley's steadily, Gladwyne's with a hint of uneasiness. It was, he felt, a remarkable piece of good fortune that had given him control of the situation. "Yes," he answered carelessly, "I know the mine." "I'm thinking of taking shares in it," Crestwick informed him. "Well," said Lisle, "that wouldn't be wise." Gladwyne leaned farther back in his seat, as if to disassociate himself from the discussion, which was what the Canadian had expected from him; but Batley, who was of more resolute fiber, showed fight. His appearance became aggressive, his face hardened, and there was a snap in his eyes. "You have made a serious allegation in a rather startling way, Mr. Lisle. As I've an interest in the company in question, I must ask you to explain."