He said the words rather cynically, but, after undressing, he lay there thinking a good deal about Madge Mullion and her love affairs; then about Bess Prawle and her witchcrafts, laughing so heartily at the people's folly that the bed rattled; then, lastly, Wheal Carnac filled his mind, and, sleeping or waking, he could think of nothing but pumping machinery, the emptying of the shaft, and the coming of the hour when he should be the first to go down to inspect the place, and then was it to be fortune or disappointment, success or failure?

In this instance it was to be sleep, for at length his regular, low breathing told of a weary man's rest; while, just at the end of the pa.s.sage, Madge Mullion's flushed face was full of pain, her soft auburn hair was tangled, and the pillow soaked with tears.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

TWO VISITORS AT AN MORLOCK.

They were busy days which followed for Geoffrey Trethick, and his interviews with Mr Penwynn, in consequence of the latter's desire to keep his name out of the project, were of an evening at An Morlock, where he more than once encountered Rhoda, who pleased him by the way in which she entered into the spirit of his plans.

The first time he met her was when, after a couple of visits to the mine where the Wheal Carnac machinery had been taken, and some long discussions with Pengelly, he had gone up to An Morlock to ask Mr Penwynn whether he would buy it back from the trustees of the bankrupt estate.

"But that will take quite a heavy sum, Trethick," said Mr Penwynn.

"What I want to do is to have the mine emptied and thoroughly tested without further expense."

"Exactly so, sir," replied Geoffrey; "but, working in your interests, I felt it my duty to lay this before you. Here, to pump out, a certain amount of money must be spent in fixing hired machinery. If the mine proves good all that money is wasted. On the other hand, if you are willing to buy back this original machinery, which is, I guarantee, to be had for a fourth of its value, it will do the work better, and you have it ready to carry on future proceedings, when a vast amount would be saved."

"And suppose the venture--I mean the testing--proves a failure?"

"You have a valuable lot of modern machinery to sell, and cannot lose."

Mr Penwynn sat thinking, and Rhoda raised her head from her work.

"Well, my dear," said her father, smiling, "what should you do?"

"I think I should take Mr Trethick's advice, papa," she said quietly; and she had hardly spoken when the servant announced Mr Tregenna, who came in smiling, and shook hands warmly all round.

"I thought I'd just drop in for a chat," he said, looking meaningly at Mr Penwynn. "Why, the place is ringing with the news that you are going in for mining."

"Confound them, how did they know that I was at the back of the affair?"

said Mr Penwynn, irritably; and he looked sharply at Geoffrey.

"Not from me, sir," he said, smiling. "I've been as silent as an oyster."

"Oh, from your clerks, I'll be bound," said Tregenna. "You sent for Mr Trethick here, didn't you?"

"Yes, of course," said Mr Penwynn.

"Well," said Tregenna, laughing, "that was quite enough. I'll be bound to say the ladies of Carnac know to a penny how much that charming costume of Miss Penwynn's cost--the one she wore last Sunday."

Rhoda looked up, and nodded, and smiled, feeling set at her ease by the quiet, matter-of-fact way in which Tregenna had put aside the past.

"Well, they'd have been sure to know it sooner or later," said Mr Penwynn. "You've just come opportunely, Tregenna. I want a bit of advice."

"_Viva_!" said Tregenna, laughing, and taking out his memorandum-book.

"I came in for half an hour's relaxation, and I shall earn a guinea in consultation. I am all attention."

"You charge for your advice, and you see how I'll charge in the way of discount for the next bill you present," said Mr Penwynn, laughing.

"Well, look here, Tregenna, Cropper and Grey want to sell the old Wheal Carnac machinery."

"_New_ machinery, you mean," said Tregenna.

"Well, yes, it is nearly new," said Mr Penwynn. "Mr Trethick here advises its purchase and refixing to pump out the mine."

"But that would run into a lot of money," said Tregenna.

"Yes," replied Geoffrey; "but it all fits the place, and it is to be got for a fourth of its value. Even if the whole venture proved a failure, the machinery would be worth the money. It seems to me a chance."

Tregenna sat back in his chair, tapping his teeth with the end of his pencil.

"That machinery costs a tremendous deal of money," he said, thoughtfully.

"Yes, and is in admirable order," said Geoffrey, "or I would not suggest such a thing."

"What do the trustees ask for the lot?" said Tregenna, at last.

Geoffrey mentioned the sum.

"Well, that must be very moderate," said Tregenna, "as far as I understand such things. But business is business," he continued, laughing. "I am growing very sordid. Look here, Mr Penwynn, I know Cropper and Grey, the trustees, of course. If you decide to purchase that machinery, which certainly, on the face of it, seems a wise stroke, especially as you want it, and it would always be worth its money, I'll undertake to get it for you two hundred and fifty pounds below the sum named on condition of received a cheque for fifty pounds commission."

"Certainly. Agreed," said Mr Penwynn; "but I have not yet made up my mind."

"Oh, of course not!" said Tregenna, making a note in his book.

"Advising you on the purchase of machinery. Long consultation--thirteen and four," said Geoffrey, dryly.

"Oh, no, Mr Trethick," said Tregenna, closing the book with a snap, "I shall be satisfied with my fifty pounds cheque."

"When you get it, Tregenna," said Mr Penwynn, laughing.

"When I get it--cashed," replied Tregenna.

"By the way, Tregenna, would you mind coming into the study a minute or two? There's one little point I should like to discuss with you," said Mr Penwynn, rising. "Rhoda, my dear, Mr Trethick would, perhaps, like a little music."

"I think I'll be going," said Geoffrey, rising.

"No, no, don't go yet," said the banker.

"I'm going your way presently," said Tregenna; and Geoffrey sat down again as the banker and the solicitor left the room.

"I hope you are beginning to like Carnac better, Mr Trethick," said Rhoda quietly.

"I always did like it," said Geoffrey. "It is one long study of character; and, now that I have something to do, I quite love the place."

"It is very beautiful and wild," replied Rhoda, thoughtfully. "By the way, Mr Trethick, do you think there is a good prospect of this mining affair succeeding?"

"It is impossible to say," replied Geoffrey, looking full in the large, earnest eyes before him. "Every step for some time to come must be tentative. I really think, though, that there is a good hope of success."