McNamara's description of Anvil Creek's riches had fired Helen
Chester with the desire to witness a clean-up, so they had ridden
out from town in time for supper at the claim. She had not known
whither he led her, only understanding that provision for her
entertainment would be made with the superintendent's wife. Upon
recognizing the Midas, she had endeavored to question him as to
why her friends had been dispossessed, and he had answered, as it
seemed, straight and true.

The ground was in dispute, he said--another man claimed it--and
while the litigation pended he was in charge for the court, to see
that neither party received injury. He spoke adroitly, and it
satisfied her to have the proposition resolved into such
simplicity.

She had come prepared to spend the night and witness the early
morning operation, so the receiver made the most of his
opportunity. He showed her over the workings, explaining the many
things that were strange to her. Not only was he in himself a
fascinating figure to any woman, but wherever he went men regarded
him deferentially, and nothing affects a woman's judgment more
promptly than this obvious sign of power. He spent the evening
with her, talking of his early days and the things he had done in
the West, his story matching the picturesqueness of her canvas-
walled quarters with their rough furnishings of skins and
blankets. Being a keen observer as well as a finished raconteur,
he had woven a spell of words about the girl, leaving her in a
state of tumult and indecision when at last, towards midnight, he
retired to his own tent. She knew to what end all this was