There was bitterness in Vane's laugh. "When I left Vancouver for England, I was generally supposed to be well on the way to affluence, and there was some foundation for the idea. I had floated the Clermont in the face of opposition; people believed in me; I could have raised what dollars I required for any new undertaking. Now a good deal of my money and my prestige is gone: folks have very little confidence in a man who has shown himself a failure. Besides, I may be a cripple." Carroll could guess his companion's thoughts. There was a vein of stubborn pride in him, and he had, no doubt, decided it was unfitting that Evelyn's future should be linked to that of a ruined man. This was an exaggerated view, because Vane was in reality far from ruined, and even if he had been so, he had in him the ability to recover from his misfortunes. Still, the man was obstinate and generally ready to make a sacrifice for an idea. Carroll, however, consoled himself with the reflection that Evelyn would probably have something to say upon the subject if she were given an opportunity, and he thought Mrs. Nairn would contrive that she had one. "I can't see any benefit in making things out as considerably worse than they are," he said. "Nor can I," Vane agreed. "After all, I was getting pretty tired of the city, and I suppose I can raise enough to put up a small-power mill. It will be a pleasant change to take charge for a year or two in the bush. I'll make a start at the thing as soon as I'm able to walk." This was significant, because it implied that he did not intend to remain in Vancouver, where he would have been able to enjoy Evelyn's company; but Carroll made no comment, and by and by Vane spoke again. "Didn't you mention last night that it was through Miss Horsfield you got the tug?" he asked. "I was thinking about something else at the time." "Yes," said Carroll. "She made Horsfield put some pressure on the people who had previously hired the boat." "Ah!" said Vane, "that's rather strange." For a moment he looked puzzled, but almost immediately his face grew impassive, and Carroll knew that he had some idea of Jessie's treachery. He was, however, sure that any suspicions his comrade entertained would remain locked up in his breast. "I'm grateful to her, anyway," the latter resumed. "I believe I could have held out another day or two, but it wouldn't have been pleasant."