"I got some satisfaction from beating your antagonist." "But you wanted to help me ?" "I did," said Thirlwell, with a steady look.

"I was anxious to do something that would make you happy." Agatha turned her head.

"Yet you once refused; the morning after we found the lode--" "Ah," said Thirlwell, "I fought a pretty hard battle then! But, you see, I was a poor engineer, and you--" She looked up with a smile and blushed.

"Do you think I didn't _know_?
But you were foolish; ridiculously stupid!" Thirlwell took her other hand.

"Perhaps I was, but I thought I was right.