CHAPTER XXIV 

AGATHA RESUMES HER JOURNEY 

There was silence for a minute or two after Agatha had spoken, and then Father Lucien said, "Now we know what Driscoll looked for. Few secrets can be kept." 

Thirlwell gave him a warning glance that Agatha did not note. She was gazing across the river, her face towards the North, as if she had forgotten the others, but she presently roused herself. 

"Can we start to-morrow?" she asked. 

"No," said Thirlwell firmly, "you must rest for two or three days, and there are a number of things to be got." 

"I don't think I can rest until I have seen the lode." 

"You will have to try. It may be some time yet before we find the spot. For one thing, the directions aren't complete. You see they stop--" 

Agatha took the paper. "Yes; I hadn't noticed that. It begins very clearly and then breaks off. I wonder why." 

Thirlwell said nothing. It looked as if Strange had been interrupted; the shakiness of the last few lines hinted that they had been written in haste. There was a space between the last and the bottom of the paper. Perhaps Driscoll had joined him and he had distrusted the man, who might have come into the camp while he was writing. Then, when he afterwards sealed the box, he had forgotten that he had not finished what he meant to say; but, if the supposition were correct, this was not remarkable. Strange might have taken some liquor with him. But Agatha must not suspect. 
Will they have a hard time?
It may be some time yet before we find the spot.