"Well," he said, "though you may be surprised to hear it, I'm sorry. Unfortunately, our interests clashed, and I naturally looked after mine. Once upon a time, I thought I could have worked hand in hand with Vane; but our ideas did not coincide, and your partner is not the man to yield a point or listen to advice." Carroll was aware that Horsfield had by means which were far from honourable deprived him of a considerable portion of his possessions. He had also betrayed his fellow shareholders in the Clermont mine, selling their interests, doubtless for some benefit to himself, to another company. For all that, Carroll recognised that since he and Vane were beaten, as he had confessed, recriminations and reproaches would be useless as well as undignified. He preferred to face defeat calmly. "It's the fortune of war," he replied. "What you say about Vane is correct; but although it is not a matter of much importance now, it was impossible from the beginning that your views and his ever should agree." "Too great a difference of temperament? I dare say you're right. Vane measures things by a different standard--mine's perhaps more adapted to the market-place. But where have you left him?" "In the bush. Miss Horsfield will, no doubt, give you particulars; I've just told her the tale." "She called me up at the office and asked me to come across at once. Will you excuse us for a few minutes?" They went out together, and Jessie, who came back alone, sat down and looked at Carroll in a diffident manner. "I suppose," she said, "one could hardly expect you to think of either of us very leniently; but I must ask you to believe that I am sincerely distressed to hear of your partner's accident. This was a thing I could never have anticipated; but there are amends I can make. Every minute you can save is precious, isn't it?" Carroll agreed, and she resumed: "Then I can get you a tug. My brother tells me the Atlin's coming across from Victoria and should be here early this evening. He has gone back to the office to secure her for you, though she was fixed to go off for a log boom." "Thank you," said Carroll. "It's a great service." Jessie hesitated. "I think my brother would like to say a few words when he returns. Can I offer you some tea?" "I think not," said Carroll, smiling. "For one thing, if I sit still much longer, I shall, no doubt, go to sleep again, as I did at Nairn's, which would be neither seemly nor convenient, if I'm to sail this evening. Besides, now we've arranged an armistice, it might be wiser not to put too much strain on it!" "An armistice?" "I think that describes it." Carroll's manner grew significant. "The word implies a cessation of hostilities--on certain terms."