Compass bearings, calculated distances, and landmarks were given next, and then the writing stopped an inch or two from the bottom of the sheet. "Your father found the lode," Thirlwell said, very quietly. Agatha looked up with a curious smile. "Yes; I feel as if he had _sent_ me this. I have come into my inheritance and it is easier than I thought!" She paused and added: "Once or twice I was afraid and nearly let it go." CHAPTER XXIV AGATHA RESUMES HER JOURNEY There was silence for a minute or two after Agatha had spoken, and then Father Lucien said, "Now we know what Driscoll looked for. Few secrets can be kept." Thirlwell gave him a warning glance that Agatha did not note. She was gazing across the river, her face towards the North, as if she had forgotten the others, but she presently roused herself. "Can we start to-morrow?" she asked. "No," said Thirlwell firmly, "you must rest for two or three days, and there are a number of things to be got." "I don't think I can rest until I have seen the lode." "You will have to try. It may be some time yet before we find the spot. For one thing, the directions aren't complete. You see they stop--" Agatha took the paper. "Yes; I hadn't noticed that. It begins very clearly and then breaks off. I wonder why." Thirlwell said nothing. It looked as if Strange had been interrupted; the shakiness of the last few lines hinted that they had been written in haste. There was a space between the last and the bottom of the paper. Perhaps Driscoll had joined him and he had distrusted the man, who might have come into the camp while he was writing. Then, when he afterwards sealed the box, he had forgotten that he had not finished what he meant to say; but, if the supposition were correct, this was not remarkable. Strange might have taken some liquor with him. But Agatha must not suspect. "The paper states the claim was staked," she resumed. "So far as that goes, it makes the ore mine. George must have a share, but I mean to work the lode." "I'm afraid it doesn't go very far," Scott remarked. "The law requires that the discoverer stakes off the ground he is entitled to and then registers the claim at the nearest record office. After this he must do a certain amount of development work before he gets his patent and becomes the owner of the mine. The claim has not been recorded yet." "No; it has lapsed," Agatha agreed. "This means that any adult British citizen may make a re-discovery record. Well, we must do so, as soon as we can." "Developing a mine is rough work for a woman." Agatha smiled. "There's something about the discoverer being allowed to appoint a deputy, and perhaps Mr. Thirlwell will look after my interests. But won't you see about getting us all that he thinks needful?" "I'll see about it now," said Scott, who took Thirlwell away, but stopped when they were hidden by the pines.