CHAPTER XXXI 

THIRLWELL'S REWARD 

Winter was nearly over when, one evening, George and Scott arrived at the Farnam homestead where Agatha was a guest. The house was centrally heated, and when the party gathered in Mrs. Farnam's pretty, warm room, Agatha wondered what Thirlwell was doing in the frozen North. Farnam had invested some money in the mine, and Agatha knew George had come to talk about the company's business. 

"Things are not going well with us," he said presently. "Our money's nearly spent and Thirlwell has not been able to get out much ore. I think I told you he suspected Stormont sent the men who staked the claims behind our block, and the fellow's now getting on our track. He's been to see Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others." 

"It would be awkward if they turned us down," Farnam remarked. 

Agatha waited. She knew Gardner and Leeson held a number of the shares, but she did not understand the matter yet. 

"Very awkward," George agreed. "I went to Leeson, and although he didn't say much, I reckon Stormont wants to buy his stock. He allowed that he and Gardner were not satisfied about our prospects, and I couldn't give him much ground for holding on. Then I went to Hill, who said he'd got an offer for his stock and meant to sell, but wouldn't name the buyer. I suspected Stormont again, but we won't know until we get the transfer form." 

"One could head him off by bidding higher for the shares," Farnam suggested. "Still I suppose it's impossible. Anyhow, I have no more money." 
Where did George and Scott arrive?
Who was a guest there?
Which season was it?
Was Winter just beginning?
How far along?
Where did the party gather?
What was the temperature like in the room?
What had Farnam invested in ?
What did Farnam wish to discuss?
Were things going well for the company?
Why?
Who was suspected of staking claims behind their block?
Had he been to see anyone else?
Who?
Did they have any shares?
How many?
Did Agatha have a good understanding of the matter?
Whose stock does Stormont want to buy?
Does Hill mean to sell?
How much money does Farnam have left?
at the Farnam homestead
George and Scott arrived at the Farnam homestead
Agatha
where Agatha was a guest
Winter
Winter was nearly over
No
Winter was nearly over
Nearly over
Winter was nearly over
Mrs. Farnam's room
the party gathered in Mrs. Farnam's pretty, warm room
Warm
Mrs. Farnam's pretty, warm room
in the mine
Farnam had invested some money in the mine
unknown
unknown
No
"Things are not going well with us,"
The money was nearly spent they hadn't gotten much ore
"Our money's nearly spent and Thirlwell has not been able to get out much ore.
Stormont
I think I told you he suspected Stormont sent the men who staked the claims behind our block
Yes
He's been to see Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others.
Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others
He's been to see Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others.
Yes
She knew Gardner and Leeson held a number of the shares
unknown
unknown
No
Agatha waited. She knew Gardner and Leeson held a number of the shares, but she did not understand the matter yet. 
Leeson's and Hill's
"I went to Leeson, and although he didn't say much, I reckon Stormont wants to buy his stock. He allowed that he and Gardner were not satisfied about our prospects, and I couldn't give him much ground for holding on. Then I went to Hill, who said he'd got an offer for his stock and meant to sell, but wouldn't name the buyer. I suspected Stormont again, but we won't know until we get the transfer form." 
Yes
Then I went to Hill, who said he'd got an offer for his stock and meant to sell
None
Farnam suggested. "Still I suppose it's impossible. Anyhow, I have no more money." 