Inside the glass partition Boyd heard a woman's voice and Hilliard's laughter. He took some comfort in the thought that the banker was in a good-humor, at least; but, being too nervous to sit still, he stood at the window, gazing with vacant eyes at the busy street crowds. Facing him, across the way, was a bulletin-board in front of a newspaper office; and, after a time, he noted idly among its various items of information the announcement that the mail steamer _Queen_ had arrived at midnight from Skagway. He wondered why Cherry had not written. Surely she must be anxious to know his progress. He should have advised her of his whereabouts. The door to Hilliard's office opened, and he heard the rustle of a woman's dress; then his own name spoken--"Come in, Mr. Emerson." His attention centred on the approaching interview, he did not glance toward the departing visitor until she stopped suddenly at the outer door, and came straight toward him with outstretched hands. "Boyd!" He checked himself, and turned to face Cherry Malotte. "Why, Cherry," he ejaculated, "what in the world--" He took her two hands in his, and she laughed up into his face. "In the name of Heaven, where did you come from?" "I arrived last night on the _Queen_," she said. "Oh, I'm glad to see you!" "But what brings you to the States? I thought you were in Kal--" "Sh-h!" She laid a finger on her lips, with a glance over her shoulder at the door to the inner office. "I'll tell you about it later." "Mr. Hilliard will see you now, sir," the attendant announced to Emerson. "I must talk to you right away!" Boyd exclaimed, hurriedly. "I won't be long. Can you wait?" "Certainly; I'll wait right here. Only hurry, hurry!" The pleasure of seeing her was so genuine that he squeezed her hands heartily, and entered Hilliard's sanctum with a smile on his lips. It was gone, however, when he reappeared a half-hour later, and in its place an expression which caused her to inquire, quickly, "What is the matter? Is something wrong?" He nodded, but it was not until they had reached the outer office that he said: "Yes, something is decidedly wrong." Then, in answer to her further question: "Wait a while; I'm too angry to talk. I'll have to tell you all about it before you'll understand." He began to mutter harshly under his breath: "Come along. We'll have lunch, and I'll explain. First, however, tell me why you came out at this season." "I have a big mining deal on with Mr. Hilliard. He sent for me, and I came. Oh, I hardly know where to begin! But you remember when you were in Kalvik I told you that I had several men out prospecting?" "Yes." "Well, last summer, long before you came through, one of them located a ledge of copper." "You never told me."