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."

Answer the following questions:
1. Where did George and Scott arrive?
2. Who was a guest there?
3. Which season was it?
4. Was Winter just beginning?
5. How far along?
6. Where did the party gather?
7. What was the temperature like in the room?
8. What had Farnam invested in ?
9. What did Farnam wish to discuss?
10. Were things going well for the company?
11. Why?
12. Who was suspected of staking claims behind their block?
13. Had he been to see anyone else?
14. Who?
15. Did they have any shares?
16. How many?
17. Did Agatha have a good understanding of the matter?
18. Whose stock does Stormont want to buy?
19. Does Hill mean to sell?
20. How much money does Farnam have left?
1. at the Farnam homestead
2. Agatha
3. Winter
4. No
5. Nearly over
6. Mrs. Farnam's room
7. Warm
8. in the mine
9. unknown
10. No
11. The money was nearly spent they hadn't gotten much ore
12. Stormont
13. Yes
14. Gardner, Leeson, and one or two others
15. Yes
16. unknown
17. No
18. Leeson's and Hill's
19. Yes
20. None