“No,” said Miss Deringham.  “Still, surmising that you are the somebody, I wonder if you have a more convincing reason.”

A little flush seemed to creep into Alton’s bronzed face.  “I find I can talk to you as I never did to any one else,” he said.  “Well, this valley’s waiting to feed a host of people, and teeming with riches that somebody is wanting, and I feel it’s my task to do the best I can for it.  Now, when one feels that, and does nothing, he’s putting a load he was meant to carry on other people’s shoulders.”

“Yes,” said Miss Deringham.  “Still, isn’t it slightly egotistical?  There may be other men who could do what is necessary better.”

Alton laughed a little.  “You get right home every time,” he said.  “I’ve been thinking the same thing, but, though I wanted to, I couldn’t find the man, and there isn’t much use in running away from the work that’s set out for you.”

Alice Deringham understood him because she was a somewhat intellectual young woman, though she had, and possibly fortunately, but seldom been required to decide between inclination and duty in any affair of importance hitherto.  There was also something that touched her in the man’s simple faithfulness.

“And you are going to do a good deal?” she said.

“I don’t know,” said Alton gravely.  “I should like to.  You see, we want roads and mills, and an office down there in the city.”

“And,” said the girl, “that means money.”

“Yes,” said Alton.  “When a man goes round borrowing he finds out that the folks who have got the dollars like to keep them.  That’s why I’m going up to look for Jimmy’s silver mine.”

Miss Deringham shivered a little.  “Winter is coming on,” she said.  “The last man who looked for it was frozen—­and there is Carnaby.”

The girl’s pulses throbbed a little faster as she spoke, and there was nothing in the man’s face which escaped her attention.  Again the curious glint became apparent in his eyes, and the warm bronze a little deeper in tint.

“I might raise some dollars on Carnaby, but I don’t want to,” he said.

Miss Deringham had seen sufficient, and decided to change the topic.  “So you intend to find the silver?” she said.

“Yes,” said Alton simply.  “I feel I have got to do that—­first.”

There was a significant silence, and the girl leaned back in her chair, conscious without resentment that the man was watching her.  Her eyes were softer than usual, the faintest trace of colour showed in her cheek, while the light evening dress emphasized the fine sweep of curve and line that was further accentuated by her pose.  The lamp that hung above her smote a track of brightness athwart her red-gold hair, until she slightly moved her head so that while part of the full round neck showed in its snowy whiteness her face was in the shadow.

“I think you will be successful.  I hope you will,” she said.