s we came down,
we are about sea-level, and the mine must be full."

They returned, bringing a few crystals as mementoes of their adventure;
and that evening, when the Major was at the Cove house, Gwyn was about
to bring the specimens out and relate where they had been that day, when
the servant announced the comma of two visitors, and Messrs. Dix and
Brownson, the solicitors, who seemed to be now on the most friendly
terms, were shown in.

Their visit was soon explained. They had seen the announcement, they
said, of the sale, and they thought it, would be a pity to remove all
the machinery, as it was in position for carrying out the working of the
mine.

Finally, they were there for the purpose of making the Colonel a liberal
offer for the estate, house, mine, machinery, everything, as it stood.

Mr Dix was the chief speaker; and when he had finished, and stood
smilingly expectant that the Colonel would jump at the offer, he was
somewhat taken aback by the reply,--

"But I do not want to sell my estate. This has been my home, sir, for
years."

"But as you wish to sell the machinery, my dear sir," said Mr Dix,
"surely you would not mind parting with the mine now?"

"Indeed, but I should," said the Colonel.

"Then you will try and clear it, and commence work again?"

"Never, sir," said the Colonel, emphatically.

"Surely, then, you would not hinder others from adventuring upon what
may prove a failure, but who are still willing to try?"

"Indeed, but I would, sir," said the Colonel. "The machinery will be
sold for what it will fetch, and then I shall return to my old, calm,
peaceful life."

"But, my dear sir," began Mr Brownson.

"Pray do not argue the matter, sir," said the Colonel, and at last the
two solicitors went disappointed away. But in the three weeks which
elapsed before the auction, four more applications were made, still
without result, and then came the sale, months of work, and at last the
whole of the appliances of the mine that could be got at were swept
away.

It was about three months later that, one evening, the Major sat at a
round table over which Colonel Pendarve presided, with divers books
before him and a carefully-drawn-up balance-sheet, which he proceeded to
read; Mrs Pendarve, Gwyn and Joe Jollivet being the other listeners.
It was full of details, vouchers for all of which were in the books.

But Major Jollivet stopped him.

"Look here, Pendarve," he said; "the weather