The Odds

t of wild, barren country, through which the sound of its great crushi

rkers as did not live at Trelevan, and a yellow stream ran foaming t

might have been vast heaps of ashes. It was a waste place of terrible unfruitfulness. And yet, not very far below the surfac

But later he had returned with the necessary capital at his back, had staked his claim, and turned the place of desolation into an abode of roaring activity. The men he employed were for the most part drawn from the dregs-sheep

ice-magistrate-was at his back, for he never failed to visit the mine when his duty took him in that direction, and there was something of military precision in its management which was strongly reminiscent of his forbidding per

ich some even declared to be a partnership. The only point in his favour was the fact that Bill Warden knew the man and never failed to stand up for him. For some reason Warden possessed an enormous influence over the men. His elevation to the sub-managershi

was nothing but a self-seeker, and there were few who trusted him. He did his best to achieve popularity, but his e

persuade him otherwise. His day was over, and Warden's succession to the post seemed an inevitable sequence.

iners' colony in Barren Valley. It was close to the mine at the end of the valley, and part of it was used as the manager's office. It overl

ream, and up this track Fletcher Hill drove the two visitors o

even to Adela's inconsequent soul. "What a ghastly place!" she commented. "I

ing for you in the mine," he said to Fletcher. "His lambs have been a bit restless this af

w together. "What do you m

houlders with a laugh

rock. The roaring screech of the machines issuing from it ma

ngly as they drew near. He

them to stop work? We can't

y," said Adela, promptly. "I w

ment. "You know your w

impatience. "Yes, yes. I wa

to turn to the right when you get down the s

y delighted to have escaped from her solemn escort,

and then back at Hill. "She'll be

she will!

minute till the noise

willingly. "There is nothing

ng with a little shudder. "I think

. "I thought it didn't ap

. You are interested in it. Isn't that grinding noi

lat rock on the edge of th

y watching her face. She gripped her hands hard around her knees, enduring his scrutiny with a fast-throbbing heart. She expected some curt, soul-searchi

t with a desperate courage and met his eyes. "What is it?"

refusing a challenge, and sto

came out and closed with that official grip upon her elbow. He led her

mmediately into semi-darkness. Some rough steps hewn

lights anywh

round the corner. Straigh

place had inspired within her. But to wait alone with him in that terrible empty vall

ult-like and penetratingly damp. The passage divided almost immediately, and a narrow track

ot clasped his arm. "Oh, don't let us go that way

urgent insistence. "What's the

don't know! But don't go that way! I have a horrible feeling-Ah!" Th

wl of an angry animal, and in a moment he had thrus

ot hurt?"

though spoken scarcely above a whisper. "Don't s

she moved there came to her the sound of running feet. Hill stayed her with a gesture. S

spring into her thro

She thought it would never end. Then suddenly, just as she looked to s

eat throb of amazement went through her. That voice-carele

und the corner, his great figure loo

d a fright. I fired that shot. It was a si

not doubt that Hill did not believe him. He returned the revolver to his pocket,

the men," he said, shortly. "Go

h, all right, sir," he said, easily. "They've hardly left off work yet. I'll let

e, but in a second, sharp and sho

rde

his heel.

ords might have been uttered by a machine,

become two blue flames, giving out light. The pause that followed was so instinc

ke a point of it," he said. "Perhaps you will walk up with me. The strong-room is on ou

d led the way towards the distant

beside him. "Would you rather go

d, instantly. "No

t grimly stalked in

che in the wall. Here he stopped, stooped, and fitted a key into a narrow door that

id. "May I leave you in charge till I

p cast a dim light into the place, wh

y broken, but it's worth your while to go in and have a look

was close to Hill, and something impelled her to lay a res

at her memory of it ever afterwards was a confused jum

lt Hill a blow in the back that sent him blundering down into the darkness, and then, with lightning rapidity, he banged the door upon his captive. The lock sprang with the

tered a sound, so stunned with amazement was she, so bereft of even the power to think. Her position was one of utter helpless

ew that he ran like a hunted rat down many passages, turning now this way, now that, till

hold upon her, however, but stood listening intently for many seconds. S

er. "Have I terrified the senses out of y

passivity. She made her

into his arms a

" she said,

let you go, you'll wander m

inctive trust with which he had inspired he

he said again. "And te

but he still held her. "

he said

across her brain, leaving her so strangely cold? She wished it had no

be afraid!" was all he said in

he questioned, desper

y. "He doesn't matter so much. He's been asking for trouble all along-but he

his voice, and an answering tremor went

She was with Mr. Harley.

e with a hint of disdain. "She'll get nothing worse than a fright," he sai

ime for what? What is going

I'm boss of this show, and I reckon I can deal with it. Only-I'll have you saf

steady assurance of his v

s hold. "I don't like this place," s

enly down to her. "Won't you trust me?" he

ad flung down all barriers between them. She stood for a moment

ously. "But-but-though I know you don't like h

ing. She fancied that he flinched a little at h

u like," she said, bravely,

grasp. "That's like you,"