w-sounding splash which followed, with the lapping of the water
against the sides.

"It is strange," said the Major, "what a peculiar fascination a place
like this exercises over me, Pendarve. I feel just as if I could leap
down into--"

As he spoke, he leaned over the low wall as if drawn toward the place,
and his son turned ghastly white and uttered a faint cry.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE COMPACT SEALED.

"No, no, my boy, don't be alarmed," said the Major, turning to smile at
his son. "It is only that I am a little nervous and impressionable from
my illness. But it is strange how a depth attracts, and how necessary
it is for boys to be careful and master themselves when tempted to do
things that are risky. Upon my word, I marvel at the daring of you
fellows in running such a risk as you did the other day."

"It was not Joe, sir," interposed Gwyn. "I went down."

"But I'll be bound to say my boy was ready to offer."

The pair of actors in the trouble glanced at each other, and Joe's
cheeks grew red again.

"Take my advice," said the Major, "as boy or man never do anything risky
unless it is for some good reason. One has no right to go into danger
unless it is as an act of duty."

"Quite right," said the Colonel; "that's what I tell Gwyn; but boys have
such terribly short memories. There, we may as well go back; but you
had better wash your face at the first pool, Gwyn. You look horrible.
I can't have you go home in that condition."

"No; he would frighten Mrs Pendarve out of her senses," said the Major.
"Well, I've seen the wonderful mine, and it looks just like what it is:
a big square hole, with plenty of room to throw down money enough to
ruin the Queen. But you were right, Pendarve: the fresh air and the
exertion have done me good. I must go back, though, now; the fever
makes me weak."

That evening the Colonel had a long talk with his son, for he had come
to the conclusion that they had not heard the end of the man's visit to
the mine.

"It seems to me, Gwyn," he said, "that something must have been known
about the place and caused this amateurish kind of inspection."

"I've been thinking so, too, father," said Gwyn. "Sam Hardock must have
been talking about it to different people, and praised it so that
someone wants to begin mining."

They had come to the right conclusion, for the very next day a dog-cart
was driven to the Cove, stopped at the Colonel's gate, and a little
fussy-lo