He offers to refund all expenses
if the mine--if the claim"--Mitchell smiled cordially as he made the
correction--"does not prove all he represents."

"Well, that ought to make you safe. Stan's got a right smart of property
out there. I don't know how he's fixed back here. Mr. Mitchell, if you
don't look into this, you'll be missin' the chance of your life."

"But if the claim is so rich, why do you need money?"

"You don't understand. This copper is in the roughest part of an awful
rough mountain--right on top," said Pete, most untruthfully. "That's why
nobody ain't ever found it before--because it is so rough. It'll cost a
heap of money just to build a wagon road up to it--as much as five or six
thousand dollars, maybe. Stan and me can't handle it alone. We got to
take some one in, and we gave you the first show. And I wish," said Pete
nervously, "that you could see your way to come in with us and go right
back with me, at once. We're scared somebody else might find it and
make a heap of trouble. There's some mighty mean men out there."

"Have a cigar?" said the lawyer, opening a desk drawer.

He held a match for his visitor and observed, with satisfaction, that
Pete's hand shook. Plainly here was a simple-minded person who would be
as wax in his skillful hands.

Mitchell smoked for a little while in thoughtful silence. Then, with his
best straightforward look, he turned and faced Pete across the table.

"I will be plain with you, Mr. Johnson. This is a most unusual adventure
for me. I am a man who rather prides himself that he makes no investments
that are not conservative. But Stan is my cousin, and he has always been
the soul of honor. His word is good with me. I may even make bold to say
that you, yourself, have impressed me favorably. In short, you may
consider me committed to a thorough investigation of your claim. After
that, we shall see."

"You'll never regret it," said Pete. "Shake!"

"I suppose you are not commissioned to make any definite proposal as to
terms, in case the investigation terminates as favorably as you
anticipate? At any rate, this is an early day to speak of final
adjustments."

"No," said Pete, "I ain't. You'll have to settle that with Stan. Probably
you'll want to sign contracts and things. I don't know nothin' about law.
But there's plenty for all. I'm sure of one thing--you'll be glad to
throw in with us on 'most any terms once you see that copper, and have a
lot of assays ma