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Rh general good judgment where men were concerned, but he was apprehensive lest she and Healy might get to discussing Lola and disclose the latter's secret. There was nothing to be ashamed of in the matter but it was Lola's secret until she told it, if she ever cared to. She was not the kind, Stone thought, to cause Peggy chagrin from having accepted money obtained under such conditions. There seemed nothing to be done in the matter, however, and the chances of revelation were fairly remote but it added to the irritation of suspense. Meantime, they saw nothing of Peggy Furniss.

On the tenth day, Stone's money arrived and they plunged into buying. They got two burros and their pack-saddles for fifty dollars and the rest went for a list of provisions, tools, and explosives. Stone and Larkin each made special purchases. Stone's consisted of two hundred and fifty feet of light but strong rope, two electric torches with extra batteries, and Larkin's of a compass. Harvey produced his own compass, that he had carried for years, but Larkin scoffed at it.

"You've bin carrying it round in your pocket wiv bits of hiron and steel and metal scrap," he said. "Put it on the counter, side of this one. Wot did I tell yer? Five points orf. Five points 'ud myke a sight of difference. I might not be able to locate the bloomin' placer hafter hall and then I'd git 'ell."

"Lyman gave you your bearings, I suppose?" said Stone.

"Yep"