He succumbed to typhus, which is so terrible in that climate and which claims so many victims. As soon as he was infected with the disease, Mr. Lacoste left his claim and went back to Dawson City, where he died. Since he was known to have come from Montreal, news of his passing was sent to me, so that I could notify the family."

Summy Skim was lost in thought, pondering the situation in which this relative of his might have found himself in the course of what was probably an unprofitable operation. Had he perhaps used up the last of his resources after buying the claim at an exorbitant price as so many imprudent prospectors did? Had he died penniless, still owing money to the workers he had hired? All these thoughts went through Skim's mind.

"Mr. Snubbin," he said, "it's possible that our uncle was heavily in debt when he died. Well-and I guarantee that my cousin Raddle will back me up in this-we'll never let the name of Lacoste default in its obligations. It was our mothers' name, and if there are sacrifices to be made, we won't hesitate to make them. As soon as possible, we must take inventory...

"All right! Let me stop you there, my dear sir," replied the notary. "Knowing you as I do, I'm not surprised to hear you say that. But I don't think there is any reason to anticipate the sacrifices you mention. It is very likely that your uncle died without making his fortune, but we must not forget that he was the owner of a claim on the Fortymile River, and the value of that property may be enough to meet every need. Now this property belongs jointly to you and your cousin Ben Raddle, since you are Mr. Lacoste's next of kin and have a legal claim to his estate."

Snubbin acknowledged, however, that they would have to proceed with some degree of caution. The inheritance could not be transferred until any outstanding debts had been settled. A statement of assets and liabilities would be drawn up, after which the heirs would make a decision concerning the estate.

"I will look after this matter, Mr. Skim," he added, "and obtain the most reliable information available. After all, who knows? A claim is a claim! It may have produced little or nothing so far, but we don't know that yet. One lucky blow with the pick is all it takes to fill your pockets, as the prospectors say."

"I agree, Mr. Snubbin, and if our uncle's claim is of any value, we'll be anxious to get the best price we can for it."

"No doubt, but does your cousin share that view?"

"I should hope so. I don't think it would ever occur to Ben to work the claim himself."

"Who knows, Mr. Skim? Mr. Raddle is an engineer. He might be tempted. What if he were he to learn, for instance, that your uncle's claim is located on a good vein?"

"I assure you, Mr. Snubbin, he will definitely not go out to see it! In any case, he's supposed to be coming back to Montreal in a few days. We'll discuss the matter, and then we'll ask you to proceed, either to sell the claim on the Fortymile River to the highest bidder or, as I fear may possibly be the case, to arrange to honor our uncle's obligations, if it turns out that he went into debt with this operation."

When the conversation was finished, Skim took his leave of the notary, promising to come back in two or three days, and returned to the house on Jacques Cartier Street where he and his cousin lived.

Summy Skim was the son of an English father and a French Canadian mother. This old family traced its ancestry back to the time of the conquest of 1759. They had settled in the Montreal district of Lower Canada, where their principal fortune consisted of an income property that included woods, arable fields, and grassland.

Summy Skim was thirty-two years old, above-average height, with pleasant features, deep blue eyes, a blond beard, and the sturdy build of man accustomed to outdoor life.