wing the offer in an underhanded way.
So I come back and did it."

"How?" burst in Gwyn.

"Easy enough, sir. Found out where the highest gallery ran, stuck a big
tin o' stuff over it, and set it off with a little 'lectric machine on
the rocks. I knowed everybody would soon get out."

"Oh!" ejaculated Gwyn.

"Be quiet, my boy. Very clever and ingenious, Mr Dinass; and we
thought you were drowned."

"Me, sir? No, I knew a trick worth two of that."

"But may I ask why you have come to me now after ruining our property?"

"Why, because they've chucked me over, sir. They say I insult them by
thinking they would ever do such a thing. That was when I went and
asked 'em for my money. Last thing was, when I told 'em it was their
doing, and they set me at it, they said I were trying to blackmail 'em--
that they never thought I meant such a thing, and that if I warn't off
they'd hand me over to the police."

"Exactly like them," said the Colonel.

"Yes, sir, just like 'em. I call it mean, and I told 'em so, and that
if they threatened me I'd speak out and let people know the truth. And
I says at last, `I give you a month to think over it; and if you don't
give me my hundred pounds then, I shall blow the whole business, and how
do you like that?'"

"And what did Mr Dix say?"

"`Brownson,' he says, `send for a policeman at once.'"

"Yes, just what he would say," said the Colonel, while Gwyn wished
fervently he had not tied up Grip.

"Yes, sir, that's what he said; but I give 'em rope, and I've been again
and again; and last time they let me see that all the blame should be on
me and none on them, for no one would believe that loyers like them
could do wrong, while everyone would think bad of me. Last of all they
ordered me off, and after thinking it over a bit I've come to you, sir."

"What for?" said the Colonel.

"Why, for you to go to law with them for spoiling your mine. You've
only got to start it, and I'll come and swear to it all, and you can get
them transported. Don't you be afraid, sir; I'll come and speak out,
and then--"

"I'm to give you a hundred pounds, I suppose?"

"Well, sir," said the man, grinning, "I must have it out o' some one.
But don't you be afraid; I'll bring it home to 'em sharp. Now what do
you say?"

"This," cried the Colonel; "I'm too old, and my son is too young, to
horsewhip such a scoundrel as you are. Be off my premises at once, sir;
and if you dare to come here