lvie
and Rycroft spent their entire time in directing these operations. It
would be over a fortnight's work at least before Ogilvie could come to
any absolute decision as to the true value of the mine. Day after day
went quickly by, and the more often he inspected the ore submitted to
him the more certain was Ogilvie that the supposed rich veins were a
myth. He said little as he performed his daily task, and Rycroft
watched his face with anxiety.

Rycroft was a hard-headed man, troubled by no qualms of conscience,
anxious to enrich himself, and rather pleased than otherwise at the
thought of fooling thousands of speculators in many parts of the
world. The only thing that caused him fear was the possibility that
when the instant came, Ogilvie would not take the final leap.

"Nevertheless, I believe he will," was Rycroft's final comment;
"men of his sort go down deeper and fall more desperately than
harder-headed fellows like myself. When a man has a conscience his
fall is worse, if he does fall, than if he had none. But why does a
man like Ogilvie undertake this sort of work? He must have a motive
hidden from any of us. Oh, he'll tumble safe enough when the moment
comes, but if he doesn't break his heart in that fall, I am much
mistaken in my man."

Four shafts had been cut and levels driven in many directions with
disappointing results. It was soon all too plain that the ores were
practically valueless, though the commencement of each lode looked
fairly promising.

After a little over a fortnight's hard work it was decided that it was
useless to proceed.

"There is nothing more to be done, Mr. Ogilvie," said Rycroft, as the
two men sat over their supper together. "For six months the alluvial
will yield about six ounces to the ton. After that"--he paused and
looked full at the grim, silent face of the man opposite him.

"After that?" said Ogilvie. He compressed his lips the moment he
uttered the words.

Rycroft jerked his thumb significantly over his left shoulder by way
of answer.

"You mean that we must see this butchery of the innocents through,"
said Ogilvie.

"I see no help for it," replied Rycroft. "We will start back to
Brisbane to-morrow, and when we get there draw up the report; I had
better attend to that part of the business, of course under your
superintendence. We must both sign it. But first had we not better
cable to Grayleigh? He must have expected to hear from us before now.
He can lay our