you, just as they would
me. I have got a deal marked with directions, though, sir, and I
sha'n't be quite at rest till I've done all. Then you gents'll come
down on Friday?"

"Yes," said Gwyn, "and I'll bring a basket and hammer and chisel. Are
they fine crystals?"

"Just the finest I've ever seen, sir; some of 'em's quite of a
golden-black colour like peat water."

"But I don't want to come down all that way and find that someone has
been and chipped them off."

"Chipped 'em off, sir, when I gave orders that they weren't to be
touched!" said the captain, fiercely. "There aren't a man as would dare
to do it 'cept Tom Dinass, and he's gone. Leastwise, he was gone, and
has come back. They're all right, sir; and I tell you what, if I were
you gen'lemen, I'd bring down a basket o' something to eat, for you'll
be down most of the day, and it wouldn't be amiss if you brought some o'
that rhubarb and magneshy wire to light up in the crystal bit, for the
roof runs up wonderful high--it's natural and never been cut like.
Regular cave."

"We'll come, Sam. This is going to be interesting, Joe. We won't
forget the rhubarb wire neither."

"That's right, sir. What do you say to d'rectly after breakfast--say
nine o'clock, if it's not too soon for you, Friday--day after
to-morrow?"

"We'll be there, Sam. All right down below?"

"Never more regular, sir. She's dry as a bone, and the stuff they're
getting's richer than ever. Only to think of it! What a job I had to
get the Colonel to start! I say, Mr Gwyn, sir, when he's made his
fortune, and you've made yours, I shall expect a pension like the
guv'nor's giving Tom Dinass."

"All right, Sam. I'll see that you have it."

"Thankye, sir," said the mining captain, in all seriousness, and he left
the office.

No sooner was he gone than Gwyn turned to his companion.

"I say, Joe," he said; "you'd better not come."

"Why not?"

"You've grown too much lately; you'll be taking all the skin off the top
of your head, and grow bald before your time."

"Get out!" said Joe, good-humouredly; "didn't you hear him say that the
roof was too high to see with a candle?"

"Oh, of course," cried Gwyn. "Then you'd better come. There must be
about room enough in a place like that."

Joe laughed merrily; and then with a serious look,--

"I say, though," he cried, "I really would keep Grip tied up for a bit."

"I sha'n't, not for all the Tom Dinasses between here and Van