Geoffrey looked him full in the eyes for a moment or two longer, and then strode off, Rhoda, who was at the window, seeing him pa.s.s, evidently deeply intent upon something, for he paid no heed to her, but made straight for Horton mine to see Pengelly, while Mr Penwynn walked up and down his study with a satisfied air, as if he considered that he had done a good morning's work.

"He's the right man," he said, rubbing his hands. "He's as true as steel!"

Putting on his hat, he walked down to the office, he knew not why, but taking a deeper interest in the affair each moment, and pa.s.sing Tregenna on the opposite side of the way.

"Send Mr Geoffrey Trethick a cheque-book, Chynoweth," he said, as he entered his office, and spoiled a most interesting game of whist.

Mr Chynoweth took down his slate, and made an entry.

"Honour his cheques to the amount of a hundred and fifty."

This entry was also made upon the slate, and Mr Penwynn walked back to his lunch.

Mr Chynoweth became thoughtful. He had played out a hand at whist in his desk that morning; and he had written an offer of marriage to Miss Pavey, who had won five and sixpence of him the previous night at whist; but this was a very important matter, and thinking that he could remain a bachelor a little longer, he took out his letter, opened, read it, sighed, and, striking a match, carefully burned it on the hearth.

"Tregenna here--Trethick to draw cheques--what's that mean?" said Mr Chynoweth, thoughtfully. "What does the governor mean by that? I hope he is not going in for mining. If he is--"

He paused for a few moments.

"I wouldn't bet a crown he is not going to try Wheal Carnac."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

HOW TREGENNA HOOKED HIS FISH.

There was, of course, a reason for the banker's actions.

John Tregenna had at once taken advantage of the proposal that he should still be on friendly terms with the Penwynns, and, calling frequently and dining there, set himself, in a pleasant, frank manner, to remove any unpleasant feeling that might exist in Rhoda's mind.

To her he was gentlemanly and courteous, without formality, showing in every way that it was his desire that the past should be forgotten.

With Mr Penwynn he resumed his old business relations, and, as the banker's confidential solicitor, he finished and carried through a tiresome law case, which ridded Mr Penwynn of a good deal of anxiety, and put five hundred pounds in his pocket.

"By the way," he said, on the morning when he had brought in the news of the satisfactory settlement, and it had been discussed, "they want to sell Wheal Carnac."

"So Chynoweth told me some little time back," said Mr Penwynn. "I wish they may get a customer."

"Well, so do I, if it comes to that," said Tregenna, "because I am to have a hundred if I effect a sale."

"And where will you get customers? Why, they've wasted no end in putting it up for auction in London, advertis.e.m.e.nts and one way and the other."

"Yes, and that makes them willing now to part with the place for a mere song."

"Bah!" said Mr Penwynn. "The place is worthless. The money wasted there is enormous."

"Yes, they were pretty extravagant; but do you know, Penwynn, I've got hold of a man who used to work there."

"Yes?"

"A man of the name of Lannoe."

"Lannoe, Lannoe? Why, that was the man who summoned a miner for half killing him."

"To be sure, yes, so it was. I remember now. Some quarrel about a girl."

"Of course. That scoundrel Prawle's wench down at the Cove. Well, what about him?"

"He swears to me that when the company broke up, and the owners would advance no more money, they had just got to good paying stuff."

"I don't believe it," said Mr Penwynn sharply.

"Well I don't put much faith in it myself, but they say where there's smoke there's fire."

"Not in this case, Tregenna, for Wheal Carnac was all smoke."

"Ha, ha, ha! That's not so very bad, Penwynn," said the solicitor, laughing; "but I cannot help thinking there may be something in it."

"Well, I tell you what I'd do then," said Mr Penwynn, looking very serious; "you're pretty warm, Tregenna; buy Wheal Carnac, and then buy up the machinery from some other mine that is in difficulties, work the concern on your own hook, and land a fortune."

Tregenna half-closed his eyes and tightened his lips into a dry smile of derision, as he looked at the banker, and then the two men burst into a hearty laugh.

"Not exactly," said Tregenna. "I don't quite see myself performing such an act of lunacy at present; but really, seriously though, I do think there is something in that mine."

"Yes," said Mr Penwynn, picking his teeth, "water!"

"Yes, that's the devil of it. Else they want so little for the place that I'd go to the expense of having it tested. In fact, they ask so small a sum now that a man might venture to buy it for nothing else but a spec, to sell again."

"Like me to buy it, perhaps," said the banker, laughing.

"I don't know," said Tregenna seriously; "but I wouldn't mind going in for spending a little money in testing the place."

"Now look here, Tregenna," said Mr Penwynn, "what is your game here?"

"My game? Oh, that's soon said. I want to make a hundred pounds commission on the sale, and get an account against the vendors for another fifty."

"Do you think there is any thing in that man's words?"

"Heaven knows," said Tregenna; "but if they are true, the place, instead of being worth eight hundred pounds, would be worth more than as many thousands."

Mr Penwynn thrust his hands very deeply into his pockets and whistled softly, as he gazed searchingly at the other. For, though Tregenna had thrown some hundreds latterly in his way, he was still upon his guard.

"I should estimate the land and foresh.o.r.e as being worth the money,"

said Tregenna. "There's a good deal of it, and the building material in squared granite is worth a trifle. There's plenty to build a couple of good houses."

"Ah! you want to make that hundred and fifty pounds, Tregenna."

"Yes, I do, certainly; but I don't think the buyer could be much out of pocket unless he began mining on his own account. Of that I wash my hands. By the way, though, that would not make a bad building site."