He imagined that Stormont had sent them, but could not see the latter's object.

The fellow could hardly expect to reach the inclined vein except at a depth that would make it extremely expensive to work, and Thirlwell had improved his own and the adjoining claims enough to protect them legally from encroachment.

Still Stormont was unscrupulous and it was possible he had some cunning plan for embarrassing the company.

Thirlwell felt disturbed, but he had no grounds for interfering with the men, and although their relations were rather strained when they met, he left them alone..